Windows 10 Errors Fixed: Notifications Not Working

The notifications in Windows 10 are displayed inside the action center in a concise way. The action center acts as the hub for all the app notifications and settings that you have applied. The action center also holds some important quick settings toggles that help you change the settings with the help of a single click.

However, some users have complained in the Microsoft forums that after the Feature updates, the action center no longer showed notifications. When these users checked the applications, they had new data that would usually be displayed in the notification center.  Here I will discuss how to solve Windows 10 notifications not working error. 

Why Are The Notifications Not Showing?

The action center holds all the notifications that you get on your system. Until Windows 10 update 1803, you did not have the need to change any toggles to get background notifications.

However, with feature Update 1809, there is a potential bug that does not show notifications if the background apps are not enabled. Here I will discuss an easy fix that can help you solve the “Notifications not working” error.

The feature updates carry some changes that can be broken on some systems. These fixes are applied in the next patch updates, so there is no need to be worried very much. An easy fix can help you out till you get the patch update fixing the issue.

[Note: Focus Assist is a new feature that does not show notifications when other apps are open in full screen to boost productivity and remove distractions. You can turn off Focus assist from the Cortana app or Quick Settings.]

Fix Missing Notifications: Windows 10 Notifications Not Working

If you too are unable to see notifications after updating your Windows 10 device, here is an easy step that you can deploy to fix notifications not working in Windows 10.

# Solution 1: Turn On Background Apps

1. Open Settings You can use the shortcut key Win + I.
2. Click on Privacy.
3. From the left menu pane, select Background apps.
4. In the right pane, turn the toggle towards on next to Let apps run in the background.

5. If you see the toggle already turned on, turn it towards Off.
6. Restart your device.
7. Repeat steps 1 to 4 above.

Next look for the app that you are not receiving notifications for. Turn the toggle towards Off and then turn it On for that app as well.

This will fix the Notifications not showing error that you were facing after updating your Windows 10.

However, if this does not fix missing notifications, there is a chance that the Action Center itself is broken.

# Solution 2: Rename UsrClass.Dat

The User profile information is stored under the UsrClass.dat file. If the data in this file gets corrupted for some reason, it is possible that the action center also got broken because of that and you are no longer able to see the notifications.

Changing the name of this file will rebuild the data file and should solve the error.

In Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Open a Run dialog by pressing Win + R.
2. Type the following and press Enter to go to the directory:
   %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows

3. By default, the UsrClass.dat file is hidden. To view hidden files, click on the View tab, and select the checkbox next to Hidden items under Show/hide section.
4. Once the file is visible, rename the file to something else like “old.dat” or “UsrClass.dat.bak”

5. A warning message will pop up asking if you are surely changing it. Press Yes.

Sometimes the file may be in use, so it can’t be changed. In that case, you need to create– or use if already present- another account on your system and delete the file from the new account

6. In your new account, navigate to the following path, and repeat the steps to view hidden files:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows

Note: Replace <username> with the old account username

7.  Try renaming the file again.
8. Restart your system.

Since the file is no longer in use by the original user, you should be able to rename the file without any difficulty. Renaming the file will make Windows re-register the user profile, which in turn should help you solve your problem.

Conclusion

The Action Center is a handy feature beloved by many users. However, if for some reason you are not able to see your notifications, now you know how to solve the “Notifications not working error” using the steps given above. Comment below if you too successfully solved the error, and to discuss further the same.