Solved: How to Fix the Missing Notification Badge Counter in Windows 11

Learn how to fix the missing notification badge counter in Windows 11 after installing the latest update. This article explains the cause and the solution of this issue.

Problem

One of the common problems that some Windows 11 users have encountered is the missing notification badge counter in the taskbar. This article will show you how to fix this issue and restore the notification badge counter in Windows 11.

What is the Notification Badge Counter in Windows 11?

The notification badge counter is a small red number that appears on the taskbar icons of apps that have unread notifications. For example, if you have three unread messages in the Mail app, you will see a red number 3 on the Mail icon in the taskbar. This feature helps you to quickly see which apps have pending notifications and access them with a single click.

Why is the Notification Badge Counter Missing in Windows 11?

The notification badge counter may be missing in Windows 11 after installing the latest update. According to Microsoft, this is because they have changed how notifications appear on the Windows 11 taskbar. Instead of showing a number, they have replaced it with a bell icon that is filled when notifications are available. This change is intended to make the taskbar more consistent and less cluttered.

However, this change has not been applied to the stable channel of Windows 11 yet. It is only available for the Insider channel, which is a testing program for Windows 11 users who want to try the latest features and updates before they are released to the public. Therefore, if you are not on the Insider channel, you may see a blank rectangle instead of a bell icon or a number on the taskbar icons of apps that have notifications.

How to Fix the Missing Notification Badge Counter in Windows 11?

There are two possible ways to fix the missing notification badge counter in Windows 11. The first one is to join the Insider channel and get the latest update that includes the bell icon for notifications. The second one is to wait for the stable channel to receive the same update and hope that it will fix the issue. Here are the steps for each option:

Solution 1: Join the Insider Channel and Get the Latest Update

1. To join the Insider channel, you need to have a Microsoft account and sign in to it on your Windows 11 device.
2. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program and click on Get started.
3. Follow the instructions to link your Microsoft account and choose your Insider settings. You can choose from three channels: Dev, Beta, or Release Preview. The Dev channel is the most experimental and unstable, while the Release Preview channel is the most stable and reliable. The Beta channel is somewhere in between. For this issue, you can choose any channel, as they all have the bell icon for notifications.
4. After choosing your channel, you will need to restart your device to apply the changes.
5. After restarting, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click on Check for updates. You should see the latest update for your channel available for download and installation.
6. Install the update and restart your device again to complete the process.
7. After installing the update, you should see the bell icon on the taskbar icons of apps that have notifications. You can click on the bell icon to open the notification center and see the details of the notifications.

Solution 2: Wait for the Stable Channel to Get the Same Update

If you do not want to join the Insider channel and risk getting unstable updates, you can wait for the stable channel to get the same update that includes the bell icon for notifications. However, there is no exact date or timeline for when this update will be available for the stable channel. It may take weeks or months before it is released to the public.

In the meantime, you can try to test the integrity of your Windows 11 system by running some commands in the Command Prompt. This may help to fix any corrupted or missing files that may cause the notification badge counter to disappear. Here are the steps to do this:

1. Open the Start menu and type cmd. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3. Wait for the command to finish running. It may take some time, depending on the speed of your device and internet connection.
4. After the command is done, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
5. Wait for the command to finish running. It will scan and repair any system files that are corrupted or missing.
6. After the command is done, close the Command Prompt window and restart your device.
7. After restarting, check if the notification badge counter is back on the taskbar icons of apps that have notifications. If not, you will have to wait for the stable channel to get the update that includes the bell icon for notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: How do I enable or disable notifications for specific apps in Windows 11?

Answer: You can enable or disable notifications for specific apps in Windows 11 by going to Settings > System > Notifications and toggling the switch for each app on or off. You can also customize the notification settings for each app, such as showing banners, playing sounds, or showing notifications in the notification center.

Question: How do I change the appearance of the taskbar in Windows 11?

Answer: You can change the appearance of the taskbar in Windows 11 by going to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and adjusting the options for taskbar behaviors, taskbar corner icons, and taskbar alignment. You can also add or remove quick settings icons, pin or unpin apps, and rearrange the taskbar icons.

Question: How do I access the calendar and clock in Windows 11?

Answer: You can access the calendar and clock in Windows 11 by clicking on the date and time in the taskbar. This will open the notification center, where you can see the calendar and clock at the top. You can also adjust the date and time settings, add or remove events, and sync your calendar with your Microsoft account.

Summary

In this article, you learned how to fix the missing notification badge counter in Windows 11 after installing the latest update. You learned that this issue is caused by a change in how notifications appear on the Windows 11 taskbar, and that you can either join the Insider channel and get the latest update that includes the bell icon for notifications, or wait for the stable channel to get the same update. You also learned how to test the integrity of your Windows 11 system by running some commands in the Command Prompt, and how to customize your notification and taskbar settings in Windows 11.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The information and solutions provided in this article may not work for everyone or every situation. You should always backup your data and system before making any changes to your device. You should also consult with a qualified IT professional before attempting any of the steps or solutions in this article. We are not responsible for any loss or damage that may result from following the instructions or solutions in this article.