Android alarm not going off? A 9-point checklist
Setting names differ a little between Android models and makers. This is the order to check that applies to most phones.
Find it by symptom
First, pick the row closest to your problem. The numbers on the right are the numbers in the checklist below.
| Symptom | Check these first |
|---|---|
| It did not ring at all | 9, 2, 5 |
| It showed on screen but made no sound | 1, 5 |
| It rang later than the set time | 3, 4 |
| It did not show full screen while locked | 6 |
| It stopped ringing after a restart | 7, 8 |
Checklist
- Alarm volume: press a volume button and open the detailed settings from the panel. The “Alarm” volume is separate from ring and media volume. Raising the media volume does not make the alarm louder.
- Notification permission: check Settings → Apps → your alarm app → Notifications. In the Google Clock app too, the alarm makes no sound when notifications are off.
- Alarms & reminders permission: if the same screen has “Alarms & reminders”, allow it. It lets the app ring at the exact time.
- Battery setting: set Battery to “Unrestricted”. Battery saving can stop alarms. The same can happen while Battery Saver is on.
- Do Not Disturb and other modes: check that Do Not Disturb or Bedtime mode is not set to silence alarms too. The mode's settings have an item for whether alarms can ring.
- Full-screen permission: this lets the alarm show full screen while locked. Newer Android versions have a setting per app.
- Did you “Force stop” the app? A force stop can clear the alarms you set. If so, open the app once.
- Auto-start permission: on phones from some makers, the app must be allowed to start by itself, or it will not ring after a restart.
- Time and weekdays: check AM and PM, the weekdays, and that the alarm is switched on.
Setting names and places can differ by model and OS version. If you cannot find one, type “alarm” or “battery” in the search box in Settings.
Messages from the Google Clock app
When an alarm did not ring well, the Google Clock app may show a message with the reason. If you see one, fix what it says.
| What the message says | What to fix |
|---|---|
| Clock notifications are off | Turn on notifications for the Clock app in Settings |
| Do Not Disturb silenced your alarm | Change the Do Not Disturb settings to allow alarms |
| Your alarm sound is set to silent | Open the alarm and choose another sound |
| The alarm volume was low | Raise the alarm volume |
| Vibration is turned off | Turn on vibration for the alarm |
| Battery Saver may have prevented your alarm | Turn off Battery Saver |
If the sound is “Silent” and vibration is also off, the alarm tells you nothing. Always keep one of them on.
If it still does not ring
- Restart the phone and open the app once.
- Update the app.
- Set an alarm a few minutes ahead, turn off the screen and wait to see if it rings.
In the Google Clock app, if two alarms are set too close together, the first one may be canceled. When you test, leave at least 5 minutes between alarms.
If it rings, test again in a way closer to how you really use it. Make it the same as at night, such as plugging in the charger and turning on Do Not Disturb.
With YOBIOKO
In YOBIOKO, tap “Allow” on the Alarms screen to allow notifications, alarms and full-screen display together. If it still does not ring, see Support.
Common questions
Does the alarm ring in silent mode?
On Android, the Alarm volume is separate from the ring volume. Even with the ringer muted, the alarm rings if the Alarm volume is up. But depending on your Do Not Disturb settings, alarms are silenced too. See Will my alarm ring in silent mode, airplane mode or with the phone off?.
The setting names are different from this article.
On Android, names and layout differ by maker. Look for an item with a similar name, or use the search box in Settings. For the Google Clock app, see How to use alarms on Android.
Do I need to set my alarms again after a restart?
After a restart, it is safer to open your alarm app once and check that the alarm is switched on.
What should I check on iPhone?
See iPhone alarm not going off or too quiet? An 8-point checklist.
Summary
- The Alarm volume is separate from the ring and media volumes.
- Check three permissions: notifications, Alarms & reminders, and full-screen display.
- Check that battery saving and Do Not Disturb settings are not stopping alarms.
- After a restart or a force stop, open the app once.
- After a fix, test with an alarm a few minutes ahead, with the screen off.