Problem getting new mail notification

Question

I bought a new Windows 11 PC and still trying to get things setup. Now for some reason, I'm not getting any notification when I get new mail? I right click on the speaker icon (in the lower right corner of the task bar), then left click on "Sound Settings". This brings up another menu, that I scroll down to "More sound settings", then I left click on the "Sound" icon. From there, I scroll down to New Message Notification and I highlight it. Then I pick a sound "Ring01". When I click on "Test", it does make a sound. I then click on "Apply" then I click on "OK". I then go back to my desktop and wait for a new mail notification. After a while, I go into my email account and notice I received an email, but NO NOTIFICATION? Have I missed a step?

Answer 1

Hello Warren Richey,

Setting up sound in Windows Sound Settings is only part of the picture — notifications may also need to be enabled separately at the system level and within the app itself. Here's what to check:

1. Go to Settings > System > Notifications and make sure notifications are turned on both globally and specifically for your mail app.
2. Inside your mail app, check its own notification settings — most mail apps have an in-app toggle for new message alerts.
3. Make sure Do Not Disturb (or Focus Assist on older Windows 11 builds) is not active, as it can silence all notifications regardless of your sound settings.

Give those a try and let me know if the issue persists - in that case, let me know which mail app you're using (e.g. Outlook, Windows Mail, Gmail in browser) as the steps may vary depending on the app.

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Answer 2

The Windows sound for “New Mail Notification” only controls the sound that plays when an app actually raises a notification. A sound alone in Sound Settings is not enough; the mail app and Windows notifications must both be configured to show alerts.

Configure in this order:

1. Turn on Windows notifications globally
   1. Select Start → Settings.
   2. Go to System → Notifications (or Notifications & actions on some builds).
   3. Under Notifications, turn on Get notifications from apps and other senders.
2. Enable notifications for the Mail/Outlook app in Windows
   1. In the same System → Notifications (or Notifications & actions) page, scroll to Get notifications from these senders.
   2. Find Mail (or Outlook, or the mail app being used) and turn Notifications On.
   3. Turn on options such as:
      • Show notification banners
      • Show notifications in action center
      • Play a sound when a notification arrives
3. Turn on notifications inside the Mail app (if using Windows Mail)
   1. Open the Mail app.
   2. Select Settings (gear icon).
   3. Choose Notifications.
   4. Under Select an account, pick the email account (or check Apply to all accounts).
   5. Turn on Show notifications in action center.
   6. Choose any of:
      • Show a notification banner
      • Play a sound
      • Show notifications for folders pinned to Start (requires at least one folder pinned to Start).
4. Check Focus/Do not disturb/Battery Saver
   1. In Settings → System → Notifications, make sure Do not disturb is Off.
   2. In Settings → System → Focus, stop any active focus session.
   3. In Settings → System → Power & battery, ensure Battery Saver is turned Off, because it can suppress notifications.

Once these are set, when a new email arrives and the mail app raises a notification, Windows will show a banner and play the configured sound.

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References:

• Turn on notifications for accounts and pinned folders in Windows Mail
• Outlook notifications aren't working