Push notifications not working properly is a common issue many Android users face after updating to the latest Android version. There could be several reasons why your push notifications have stopped showing up on Android 13, but the good news is there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to fix this.
Quick Fixes to Try
Here are some quick things to try if push notifications are not working on your Android 13 device:
- Restart your device – A simple reboot can often fix app issues like missing notifications.
- Check app notifications settings – Make sure notifications are enabled for the app and alerts are turned on.
- Update the problematic app – If an app was recently updated, updating it again could resolve any new bugs.
- Clear app cache & data – This wipes out any corrupted data that could be causing issues.
Trying these basic troubleshooting steps takes just a few minutes and often gets push notifications working properly again. If the problem persists, keep reading for additional things to check.
Check OS Notifications Settings
The first thing to check is your overall notification settings in Android 13. Go to Settings > Notifications and make sure:
- Notifications are enabled for your device.
- Your notification profile is not set to mute or Do Not Disturb.
- App icons are set to show with notifications.
- Notification dots are enabled to alert you to notifications.
Tweak these core notification settings as needed to make sure your device can properly deliver notifications in Android 13. This rules out any OS-level causes.
Verify App Notification Settings
The next step is making sure each problematic app has notifications enabled properly. Go into the app itself and check:
- Notifications are enabled.
- Alert style is set to something visible like banners or pop-ups.
- Notifications are not turned off in the app’s advanced settings.
- Notifications are allowed when battery optimization is on for the app.
If notifications used to work and now don’t, toggling settings off and back on again may help. Also see if notification channels are enabled for that particular app notification type.
Allow Background App Activity
Android 13 introduces new restrictions on app background activity. This can inadvertently block some notifications from coming through. To allow background app activity:
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Select the app that has missing notifications.
- Select Battery > Allow background activity.
This will exempt the app from the background restrictions so notifications can come through. You can also whitelist apps for unrestricted data usage here.
Disable Battery Optimization
Battery optimization is another Android feature that can interfere with notifications. Apps subject to heavy battery optimization may not be able to execute background processes needed to generate notifications. To disable battery optimization:
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Select the app with missing notifications.
- Select Battery > Battery optimization > Don’t Optimize.
Exempting the app from battery optimization allows it to freely run in the background. Just beware increased battery usage as a result.
Uninstall Recent App Updates
If your push notifications stopped working right after updating an app, the app update may be the culprit. To troubleshoot, uninstall any recent app updates:
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Tap the app with issues.
- Tap Uninstall updates.
This reverts the app back to the previous working version. See if your notifications issues are resolved. If so, the problem is with the latest app update. You’ll need to wait for the app developer to push out a fixed update.
Clear App Cache and Data
Corrupted app data could also prevent notifications from coming through properly in some cases. To rule this out, try clearing the app cache and data:
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Tap the problematic app.
- Tap Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data.
This wipes out any corrupted data for the app. Restart your device and see if notifications start working normally again. You may need to log back into the app and reconfigure any custom settings.
Check for Android System Updates
Notification bugs are sometimes fixed in Android system updates. To check for any available updates:
- Go to Settings > System > System update.
- Tap Check for update.
- Install any pending Android updates.
Major Android updates like Android 13 can inadvertently introduce new notification bugs. Subsequent maintenance releases often fix these issues.
Reset App Preferences
Resetting app preferences clears out any corrupted settings and starts fresh. To reset app preferences:
- Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
- Tap Reset app preferences.
- Tap Reset apps.
This restores all app settings like disabled notifications back to their defaults. Any customizations will need to be re-enabled afterward.
Uninstall and Reinstall the App
If all else fails, uninstalling and reinstalling the problematic app can often fix elusive software issues like non-working notifications. Here are the steps:
- Uninstall the app from Settings > Apps.
- Restart your Android device.
- Reinstall the latest version of the app from the Play Store.
- Configure the app notifications from scratch.
This gives you a clean slate for app data and settings. Just make sure to back up any app data you want to restore after installing.
Factory Reset Your Device
If you’ve tried everything else with no luck, a factory reset may be the nuclear option to fix notifications issues. Here’s how:
- Back up your Android device data and settings.
- Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
- Tap Erase all data (factory reset).
- Tap Reset phone.
This will wipe your device and restore it to factory default settings. You’ll then need to set up your device from scratch, restore apps, and reconfigure settings. If notifications work normally after, then software corruption was likely the culprit.
Contact Your Device Manufacturer
For recurring notification issues that persist after all troubleshooting, your last resort is to contact the device manufacturer for support. They may suggest additional diagnostic steps to isolate the problem.
Be prepared to provide details like your device model, Android version, apps affected, and troubleshooting already performed. This will help identify if your notification problem is due to a larger device-specific software bug.
The manufacturer may advise upgrading to a newer device model or Android version if your phone is no longer supported. But hopefully with proper troubleshooting, your notification woes can be resolved without needing a new device.
Conclusion
Notifications suddenly not working in Android 13 can be frustrating, but this issue can usually be fixed with some troubleshooting. Start with quick fixes like restarting your device and checking notification settings. For ongoing problems, dig deeper into app permissions, software updates, caches, and uninstalling/reinstalling apps. Persistent issues may require a factory reset or manufacturer support.
With some dedicated effort and patience restoring your Android notifications, you’ll be back to getting timely alerts from your favorite apps.