How to Turn Off Notifications on a Chromebook

Finding Focus on Your Chrome OS Device

Chromebooks are excellent devices for productivity and schoolwork, but just like any modern computer, they can quickly become overwhelming if you allow every website and application to send you notifications. If your work session is constantly interrupted by a sliding banner announcing a new email, a Slack message, or a news alert, it becomes impossible to maintain your focus.

Chrome OS (the operating system that powers Chromebooks) manages notifications slightly differently than Windows or macOS. Because the operating system is essentially a highly advanced version of the Google Chrome web browser, website notifications and app notifications are deeply intertwined.

Fortunately, Google provides several ways to manage these alerts. You can silence specific, annoying websites permanently, or you can use the built-in “Do Not Disturb” feature to temporarily block all notifications while you are trying to study or present your screen.

Method 1: Using Do Not Disturb for Temporary Silence

If you generally like receiving notifications but just need an hour of uninterrupted focus to finish writing an essay, the “Do Not Disturb” feature is the best tool for the job. It stops notifications from appearing on your screen, silently catching them in your Quick Settings panel so you can review them later.

1. Look at the bottom right corner of your Chromebook screen and click on the Time.
2. The Quick Settings panel will slide up.
3. Look for the button labelled Notifications. If you do not see it, you may need to click the small upward-facing arrow in the top right of the panel to expand the full list of icons.
4. Click the Notifications button. It will turn blue, and a small circle with a line through it will appear, indicating that Do Not Disturb is now active.

While this mode is active, your Chromebook will not ping, vibrate, or show pop-up banners. When your work session is finished, simply click the Time and click the Notifications button again to turn Do Not Disturb off.

Method 2: Turning Off Notifications for Specific Apps or Websites

If there is one specific application or website (like a news site you accidentally allowed to send you alerts) that is constantly bothering you, you can permanently revoke its permission to send notifications.

1. Click the Time in the bottom right corner of your screen.
2. Click the Settings icon (the small gear) at the top of the Quick Settings panel.
3. In the left-hand sidebar of the Settings window, click on Apps.
4. On the right side of the window, click on Notifications.

You will now see a master list of every single application and website that currently has permission to send you alerts on your Chromebook. (If you have an Android phone linked to your Chromebook, you will also see a section for Phone Hub notifications here).

5. Scroll through the list to find the annoying app or website.
6. Click the toggle switch next to its name to turn it Off (the switch will turn grey).

That specific app or website will no longer be able to send you notifications, while your important alerts (like Calendar reminders) will continue to function normally.

Method 3: Stop Websites from Asking for Permission

Perhaps the most annoying part of modern web browsing is the constant pop-ups asking, “This website wants to show notifications. Allow or Block?” You can configure Chrome OS to automatically block these requests in the background so you never have to click “Block” again.

1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your Chromebook.
2. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Click on Privacy and security in the left sidebar.
4. Click on Site settings.
5. Scroll down and click on Notifications.
6. Under the “Default behaviour” section, select the radio button next to Don’t allow sites to send notifications.

From now on, Chrome will silently deny all notification requests, allowing you to browse the web in peace.