The Focus modes on Apple devices have a setting that syncs it across all your devices. For instance, if DND is enabled on your iPhone, it will also be enabled for a MacBook or an Apple Watch. So, you must turn this setting off if the Do Not Disturb mode keeps getting activated automatically on your MacBook and you can’t turn it off. Go to Settings > Focus and turn off Share across devices.
Fix 2: Enable and Turn Off Manually
A simple hack to solve this issue is to enable Do Not Disturb mode manually and then turn it off. That will refresh the setting and hopefully, it will not activate automatically.
Click on the Control Center icon in the Menu Bar at the top > select Focus > Do Not Disturb mode. Wait for 1 minute. Repeat the steps and click again on Do Not Disturb mode to turn it off.
Fix 3: Ask Siri to Disable Do Not Disturb Mode
Next, you should ask Siri to turn off the Do Not Disturb mode on your MacBook. For many users, this fix has also resolved the issue.
Fix 4: Check Keyboard Key
In the latest MacBook models, there’s a dedicated key on the keyboard to enable or disable Do Not Disturb mode. It’s usually the F6 key or the one with the Crescent icon. You (or your cat) may accidentally press this button, and that’s why DND keeps getting activated automatically.
To avoid this, you can have your device require the FN key to be pressed for all function keys. Go to Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard shortcuts > select Function Keys in the sidebar > enable Use F1, F2, etc., keys as standard function keys.
Fix 5: Check Keyboard Shortcut
Do Not Disturb mode can be enabled or disabled using a keyboard shortcut. You should, therefore, check if there’s an active keyboard shortcut for it and turn it off. There’s a chance that you may be accidentally turning DND on using this shortcut.
Go to Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Mission Control. Check the shortcut for Turn Do Not Disturb on/off.
Fix 6: Reboot the Notification Center
You should try restarting Notification Center on your MacBook, which will eventually turn off DND. Using Spotlight (Command + Space Bar), find the Activity Monitor app. Open it and look for Notification Center under the Process Name. Double-click on it and press the Quit button.
Tip: You can also reboot the Notification Center using Terminal. Find and open the Terminal app using Spotlight. Type “killall NotificationCenter” and hit Return.
Fix 7: Schedule Do Not Disturb for 1 Minute
If you can’t turn off Do Not Disturb mode on your MacBook no matter what you do, try this simple hack or workaround. Basically, you need to set a schedule for DND to activate automatically for 1 minute anytime during the night. That way, DND stays off at all other times. Crazy, right?
Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb.
Click on Add Schedule, followed by Time. Set it from 3:00 AM to 3:01 AM or any time of your preference and click on Done.
Is DND Really Enabled on Your Mac, or Is It Something Else?
If none of the above fixes help, stop and reflect. Is it the Do Not Disturb mode that is active on your Mac? What I’m saying is, that you must do reverse engineering and find the actual problem. So, if you aren’t receiving notifications on your MacBook, try the following things as well:
You should ensure that no Focus mode is active on your device. There are other modes in addition to the Do Not Disturb mode that can silence notifications. Go to Settings > Focus and see if On is written next to any Focus mode. If you spot it, open Control Center and tap on the active Focus mode’s name, followed by tapping the name again to turn it off.
Secondly, go to Settings > Notifications and enable/disable the first three options (i.e., Notifications while sleeping, while locked, and when mirroring) to see what works for you.
Mehvish Mushtaq is a computer engineer by degree. Her love for Android and gadgets led her to develop the first Android app for Kashmir. Known as Dial Kashmir, she won the prestigious Nari Shakti award from the President of India. She has been writing about technology for 6+ years and her favorite categories include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for iOS/iPadOS, Android, social media, and web apps.
Do not disturb