MSN Notifications Not Working on Windows 11? 8 Best Fixes!

For folks who prefer to be in the thick and thin of the latest news, “MSN” is a go-to platform – in more ways than one. To help you keep track of everything that’s breaking the internet and elsewhere, it sends timely alerts, ensuring you don’t have to run from pillar to post just to be in sync.

While its notifications have long been reliable, they do run into certain issues and fail to pop up. Having faced the wrath of this very issue a few times, I thought it made sense to talk about some of the most effective solutions to fix MSN notifications not working on Windows 11. So, if you are on this very side of the fence, wondering why MSN alerts are playing hide and seek on your PC, now is the right time to take the issue on.

What can you do if MSN notifications are not working on Windows 11?

Talking about the solutions to resolve the MSN notifications glitch, you will need to get to the root cause and fix the typical culprits like the wrong configurations, outdated software, and the botched-up DND.

1. Check Windows Notification Settings

Windows 11 controls notifications at the system level. If notifications are disabled globally or specifically for MSN, the app will not be able to deliver alerts at all.

  • Open Settings from the Start menu > System > Notifications.
  • Scroll down and find MSN or Microsoft News.
  • Turn the toggle ON for notifications and then enable notification banners as well as sounds.

2. Enable Notifications in the MSN App

Even if Windows allows notifications, the MSN app itself may have notifications disabled internally, preventing alerts from showing up.

  • Head over to the MSN or Microsoft News app > access the Settings within the app.
  • Locate the Notifications section > turn ON all notification options and then save the changes.

3. Turn Off Do Not Disturb or Focus Assist

Focus Assist or Do Not Disturb mode blocks notifications to minimize distractions. If enabled, MSN alerts will be silently suppressed.

  • On your PC, launch the Settings app > System.
  • Select Focus Assist or Do Not Disturb and turn the feature OFF.
  • Disable any automatic scheduling and add MSN to the priority list if needed.

4. Allow Background App Permissions

MSN needs to run in the background to fetch updates and send notifications. If background access is restricted, notifications may not arrive in real time.

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
  • Find MSN and open Advanced Options > Now, set Background App Permissions to Always.

5. Check Browser Notification Permissions

If you use MSN in a browser like Edge or Chrome, notifications can be blocked at the browser level, stopping alerts completely.

  • To resolve this glitch, dive into your browser settings.
  • Navigate to Privacy and Security > click on Site Settings.
  • Open Notifications > find MSN in the blocked list.
  • In the end, make sure to change the permission to Allow.

6. Disable Battery Saver Mode

Battery Saver limits background activity and notifications to conserve power. This can prevent MSN from delivering alerts.

  • On your Windows device, fire up the Settings app > System.
  • Select Power and Battery.
  • Turn OFF Battery Saver and ensure it is not set to turn on automatically.

7. Sign Out and Back Into Your Microsoft Account

Account sync issues can disrupt notification delivery, especially for personalized news alerts.

  • To get going, bring up the MSN app or browser.
  • Sign out of your Microsoft account.
  • Once that’s done, restart your PC.
  • After that, make sure to sign back in and check if notifications are working again.

8. Reset or Reinstall the MSN App

Corrupted app data or misconfigured settings can break notification functionality. Resetting or reinstalling restores everything to default.

  • Head straight into Settings > Apps.
  • Click on the Installed Apps.
  • Search for MSN > hit the triple-dot icon next to it and choose Advanced Options in the menu.
  • Click Reset and confirm if asked.
  • If needed, uninstall and reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store.

Signing off…

And that’s about it! I hope you have overcome the hurdle for good. MSN notification issues on Windows 11 are usually caused by small settings that are easy to overlook, such as disabled notifications, background restrictions, or Focus Assist. The good news is that these problems are rarely permanent and can be fixed quickly once you identify the root cause.

Posted by Rajesh Mishra

Editor-in-Chief: Rajesh Mishra is a Shakespearean poet at heart who turned a tech nerd while having a secret rendezvous with iPhone 4. When that rendezvous turned obsession, he let go of his hard-core political journalism in favour of the lifelong love-affair with technology. In a career spanning one and a half decades, Mr. Mishra has crafted over 8K articles and produced more than 3.5K videos for YouTube. When he is not at his desk, you may find him either engrossed in a Deathmatch or chasing Wordsworth!