diff --git a/src/app/dashboard/settings/account/page.tsx b/src/app/dashboard/settings/account/page.tsx
index d4bc6fe..2ab036c 100644
--- a/src/app/dashboard/settings/account/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/dashboard/settings/account/page.tsx
@@ -222,6 +222,7 @@ export default function AccountSettingsPage() {
                 </h2>
                 <p className="text-sm text-slate-400 mt-1 mb-4">
                     Get notified in your browser when you receive new messages and updates.
+                    When you click Enable, your browser will show a permission prompt—choose <strong>Allow</strong>.
                 </p>
                 <div className="bg-white/5 rounded-xl p-4 border border-white/10">
                     {pushLoading ? (
@@ -262,10 +263,11 @@ export default function AccountSettingsPage() {
                             type="button"
                             onClick={async () => {
                                 setPushActionLoading(true)
-                                const ok = await subscribe()
+                                setError("")
+                                const result = await subscribe()
                                 setPushActionLoading(false)
-                                if (!ok) {
-                                    setError("Could not enable notifications. Check that the site has permission.")
+                                if (!result.success) {
+                                    setError(result.error ?? "Could not enable notifications. Try again or check browser settings.")
                                 }
                             }}
                             disabled={pushActionLoading}
diff --git a/src/app/supplier/settings/page.tsx b/src/app/supplier/settings/page.tsx
index bbaa313..8b942c2 100644
--- a/src/app/supplier/settings/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/supplier/settings/page.tsx
@@ -232,6 +232,7 @@ export default function SupplierSettingsPage() {
                 </h2>
                 <p className="text-sm text-slate-400 mb-4">
                     Get notified in your browser when you receive new messages and updates.
+                    When you click Enable, your browser will show a permission prompt—choose <strong>Allow</strong>.
                 </p>
                 <div className="bg-white/5 rounded-xl p-4 border border-white/10">
                     {pushLoading ? (
@@ -272,9 +273,10 @@ export default function SupplierSettingsPage() {
                             type="button"
                             onClick={async () => {
                                 setPushActionLoading(true)
-                                const ok = await subscribe()
+                                setError("")
+                                const result = await subscribe()
                                 setPushActionLoading(false)
-                                if (!ok) setError("Could not enable notifications. Check that the site has permission.")
+                                if (!result.success) setError(result.error ?? "Could not enable notifications. Try again or check browser settings.")
                             }}
                             disabled={pushActionLoading}
                             className="px-4 py-2.5 bg-indigo-500 text-white rounded-xl font-bold hover:bg-indigo-600 transition-colors flex items-center gap-2 disabled:opacity-50"
diff --git a/src/hooks/usePushNotifications.ts b/src/hooks/usePushNotifications.ts
index d26779b..2cbcf6b 100644
--- a/src/hooks/usePushNotifications.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/usePushNotifications.ts
@@ -57,10 +57,17 @@ export function usePushNotifications() {
         checkSubscription()
     }, [checkSubscription])
 
-    const subscribe = async () => {
+    const subscribe = async (): Promise<{ success: boolean; error?: string }> => {
         if (!VAPID_PUBLIC_KEY) {
             console.error('VAPID public key not found')
-            return false
+            return { success: false, error: 'Server configuration error. Please try again later or contact support.' }
+        }
+
+        if (Notification.permission === 'denied') {
+            return {
+                success: false,
+                error: 'Notifications are blocked. In your browser, click the lock icon in the address bar → Site settings → Notifications → set to Allow, then refresh this page.'
+            }
         }
 
         try {
@@ -79,12 +86,28 @@ export function usePushNotifications() {
             if (response.ok) {
                 setIsSubscribed(true)
                 setPermission(Notification.permission)
-                return true
+                return { success: true }
             }
-            return false
+
+            const data = await response.json().catch(() => ({}))
+            const msg = data?.message || (response.status === 401 ? 'Please log in again.' : 'Server error. Please try again later.')
+            return { success: false, error: msg }
         } catch (error) {
             console.error('Error subscribing to push notifications:', error)
-            return false
+            const isPermissionDenied = error instanceof Error && (
+                error.name === 'NotAllowedError' ||
+                (error as DOMException).name === 'NotAllowedError'
+            )
+            if (isPermissionDenied) {
+                return {
+                    success: false,
+                    error: 'Notification permission was denied. To enable: click the lock icon in the address bar → Site settings → Notifications → Allow, then refresh.'
+                }
+            }
+            return {
+                success: false,
+                error: 'Could not enable notifications. Make sure the site is allowed to show notifications in your browser settings, then try again.'
+            }
         }
     }