How to fix Microsoft Outlook reminders and notifications not popping up or working

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Microsoft Outlook reminders and notifications not popping up or working. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

If your Outlook calendar reminders, new email alerts, or desktop notifications have stopped appearing or playing sounds, you are not alone. This is a common issue caused by Windows Focus Assist settings, Outlook notification preferences, or the app being suspended in the background. The steps below will walk you through restoring your reminders and alerts so you never miss an important meeting or message again.

Quick Fix Steps

Before diving into detailed troubleshooting, try these common fixes in order:

1. Click the Show Hidden Icons arrow (^) on the far right of your Windows taskbar and confirm the Outlook icon is present and running.
2. Open Outlook and look for a yellow Notifications are off banner directly under the ribbon. If present, click Turn on notifications.
3. Check Windows Focus Assist is set to Off or Alarms only.
4. Restart Outlook completely (close it from the system tray, not just the window).
5. Reboot your computer.

If the issue persists, work through the detailed instructions below.

Detailed Instructions

1. Enable Outlook Desktop Notifications

Outlook has its own notification settings that can be toggled off accidentally.

1. In Outlook, click File > Options > Mail.
2. Under the Message arrival section, tick:
   • Display a Desktop Alert
   • Play a sound (optional but recommended)
3. Click OK to save.

For calendar reminders specifically:

1. Click File > Options > Calendar.
2. Under Calendar options, confirm Default reminders is set to a value other than None (for example, 15 minutes).
3. Tick Play reminder sound.
4. Click OK.

2. Check the Notifications Are Off Banner

When Outlook detects it cannot deliver notifications (often after a crash or update), it shows a yellow Notifications are off banner at the top of the window, just below the ribbon.

1. Look for the banner directly under the ribbon.
2. Click Turn on notifications if visible.
3. Restart Outlook for the change to take effect.

3. Disable Windows Focus Assist

Focus Assist suppresses notifications when you are presenting, gaming, or working in full-screen apps.

1. Click Start > Settings > System > Focus (Windows 11) or Focus assist (Windows 10).
2. Set the focus status to Off.
3. Expand Automatic rules and ensure none of the conditions (such as During these times or When I'm duplicating my display) are covering your normal work hours.
4. Under Priority only or Alarms only, make sure Outlook is listed as a priority app if you use those modes.

4. Allow Outlook to Run in the Background

Windows can suspend Outlook when it is minimised, which prevents reminders from firing. Adjust the background app permissions for Outlook.

1. Click Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10).
2. Find Microsoft Outlook (or Microsoft 365), click the three dots or arrow, then choose Advanced options.
3. Under Background apps permissions, set Let this app run in the background to Power optimised (recommended) or Always.

5. Check Windows Notification Settings for Outlook

1. Click Start > Settings > System > Notifications.
2. Confirm Outlook is listed under Get notifications from these senders and the toggle is On.
3. Click the Outlook entry and verify:
   • Show notification banners is on
   • Play a sound when a notification arrives is on
   • Show notifications on the lock screen matches your preference

6. Verify Outlook Is the Default Mail Client

Windows can suppress Outlook notifications if another app is set as the default mail handler.

1. Click Start > Settings > Apps > Default apps.
2. Search for Outlook (or Mail) and confirm Microsoft Outlook is set as the default for Email and Calendar.

7. Check for Interfering Add-ins

Faulty COM add-ins can block the reminder window from appearing.

1. Press Win + R, type outlook.exe /safe, and press Enter to open Outlook in Safe Mode.
2. If reminders work correctly in Safe Mode, disable add-ins via File > Options > Add-ins and re-enable them one at a time to find the culprit.

8. Test with a New Reminder

To confirm everything is working:

1. Open the Calendar in Outlook.
2. Double-click a time slot a few minutes in the future, create a new appointment, and tick Reminder.
3. Save and close, then wait for the reminder time.
4. If the reminder fires, the issue was likely a one-off setting. If not, continue to the troubleshooting section below.

Troubleshooting

Reminders Fire but No Sound Plays

• Open Settings > System > Sound and confirm Outlook is not muted or set to a very low volume in the app volume mixer.
• In Outlook, go to File > Options > Advanced and under Reminders, tick Play reminder sound.
• Check your audio device is not muted at the hardware level and that the correct output device is selected.

Reminders Are Dismissed Before You See Them

This usually means Outlook is opening minimised in the background and reminders are auto-dismissed.

1. Click File > Options > Advanced.
2. Under Reminders, confirm Show reminders on top of other windows is ticked.
3. Ensure Outlook is not running inside a virtual machine or remote desktop session that loses focus.
4. Check that the reminder window is not positioned off-screen by pressing Win + arrow keys after clicking the Outlook icon in the taskbar.

New Mail Alerts Missing but Reminders Work

This points to a mail delivery or rule issue rather than a notification problem.

1. Click File > Options > Mail and confirm Display a Desktop Alert is ticked.
2. Check File > Manage Rules & Alerts to ensure no rule is moving new messages silently or marking them as read.
3. Verify your mailbox is not full, which can prevent new messages from being delivered.
4. Test by sending yourself an email from another account.

Repair the Outlook Installation

If nothing else works, a corrupted Office installation may be the cause.

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
3. Select Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Outlook, then click Change > Online Repair.
4. Follow the prompts and restart your computer when finished.

For classic Outlook with a .pst or .ost file, see our guide on Backing Up and Restoring Outlook Data Files before running repairs.

Create a New Outlook Profile

If the issue persists after a repair, your Outlook profile may be corrupted.

1. Open Control Panel > Mail (Microsoft Outlook).
2. Click Show Profiles, then Add to create a new profile.
3. Configure your email account and set the new profile as the default.
4. Test whether reminders work in the new profile.

Still Having Issues?