Fix Windows Firewall Notifier Missing Notifications in 5 Steps

Fix Windows Firewall Notifier Missing Notifications in 5 Steps

Windows Firewall Notifier can be essential for knowing when apps are blocked, but sometimes it stops showing notifications. Follow these five clear steps to restore alerts quickly.

1. Restart the notifier and Windows Firewall service

• Stop and restart the notifier: Right-click its icon in the system tray (or open Task Manager → Processes), close the notifier, then relaunch it.
• Restart Windows Firewall service: Press Win+R, enter services.msc, find Windows Defender Firewall, right-click → Restart.

2. Ensure the notifier is allowed through the firewall and runs at startup

• Allow through firewall: Open Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall → click Change settings, ensure the notifier is checked for your network profile(s).
• Enable at startup: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Startup tab → find the notifier → set Enabled. If not listed, create a shortcut in the Startup folder (Win+R, shell:startup) pointing to the notifier executable.

3. Check notification settings and Focus Assist

• Windows notifications: Settings → System → Notifications → ensure Get notifications from apps and other senders is ON and the notifier appears in the list with notifications enabled.
• Focus Assist / Do Not Disturb: Settings → System → Focus Assist → set to Off or add the notifier to Priority only allowed apps. Also check automatic rules (during presentations, etc.) that may suppress notifications.

4. Verify compatibility and run as administrator

• Compatibility: Right-click the notifier executable → Properties → Compatibility tab → try Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 10 if you’re on 11, or vice versa.
• Run as admin: Still in Properties → Compatibility → check Run this program as an administrator. Some notifiers need elevated rights to display system-level alerts properly.

5. Reinstall or try an alternative lightweight notifier

• Reinstall: Uninstall the notifier via Settings → Apps, reboot, then download and reinstall the latest version from the official source.
• Alternative: If problems persist, try a trusted lightweight alternative (search for “Windows firewall popup notifier” tools). Ensure you download from reputable sources and verify digital signatures.

Additional quick checks

• Update Windows to the latest build (Settings → Windows Update).
• Scan for system file corruption: open Command Prompt as admin and run sfc /scannow.
• Check Event Viewer (Windows Logs → System/Application) for related errors.

Following these five steps should restore Windows Firewall Notifier alerts. If issues continue, consider contacting the notifier’s developer or switching to a maintained alternative.