Quick Answer
Click the time in the bottom-right corner to open Quick Settings, then click the Do Not Disturb bell icon to silence notifications instantly. For more granular control, go to Settings > Apps > Notifications to allow, block, or customize alerts app by app, including websites you’ve allowed to send notifications through Chrome.
Why Notifications Get Out of Hand
Between Android apps, Chrome extensions, websites you’ve granted permission to, and system alerts, a Chromebook can end up with notification sources piling up over months of use without you noticing. Unlike a phone where you might dismiss and forget, a Chromebook’s notifications stack in the corner during focused work, which is often the actual annoyance — not any single app, but the cumulative interruption.
Fix Steps
Step 1: Turn on Do Not Disturb for immediate quiet
Click the time in the shelf to open Quick Settings, then click the bell-shaped Do Not Disturb icon. This silences all notification pop-ups and sounds without changing any individual app’s permissions — good for a quick focus session.
Step 2: Review notifications by app
Go to Settings > Apps > Notifications to see every app and website currently allowed to send notifications, with a toggle to turn each one off individually rather than blocking everything at once.
Step 3: Revoke website notification permissions
Many notification sources are actually websites you clicked “Allow” on at some point. In the same Notifications settings page, look for the site permissions list and remove any sites you don’t remember approving or no longer want alerts from.
Step 4: Set quiet hours automatically
Some ChromeOS versions let you schedule Do Not Disturb for recurring hours (like overnight) directly from the notification settings, so you don’t have to remember to toggle it manually every day.
Step 5: Combine with Focus Mode for deeper work sessions
For a more structured approach with built-in timers, see Digital Wellbeing and Focus Mode, which layers on top of basic Do Not Disturb with session tracking.
Still Getting Interrupted?
If Do Not Disturb is on but you’re still seeing pop-ups, check whether the interrupting app is an Android app — some Android notifications can bypass ChromeOS-level Do Not Disturb depending on how the app is built, and may need to be muted from within the Android app’s own settings instead.
FAQ
Does Do Not Disturb block calendar or reminder alerts too?
Yes, Do Not Disturb silences all system-level notification pop-ups, including calendar and reminder alerts, until you turn it back off.
Can I allow notifications from just one app while blocking the rest?
Yes, use the per-app toggles in Settings > Apps > Notifications rather than the blanket Do Not Disturb switch if you want to keep one or two sources active.
Will turning off notifications affect Family Link parental controls?
No, notification settings are separate from Family Link’s screen time and content controls, so disabling notifications won’t change any parental restrictions in place.
