> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pickcel.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Set Up Offline Screen Alerts

> Learn how to configure automated email notifications for offline digital signage screens in Pickcel

The **Offline Screen Alert** feature in Pickcel sends automated email notifications when your digital signage screens go offline. Choose **Periodic** alerts at scheduled times or **Realtime** alerts shortly after downtime, and add the email addresses that should receive them.

## Step-by-Step Configuration

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Alert Settings">
    Log in to the [Pickcel console](https://console.pickcel.com). Open **Settings** from the left navigation, then select the **Alerts** tab.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://cdn.pickcel.com/images/pickcel-docs/offline-alerts/offline-alerts-01-navigate.1M-xBkK94Ce6.png" alt="Pickcel Settings page with the Alerts tab selected in the sidebar" />
    </Frame>

    <Note>
      If you do not see the **Alerts** tab in Settings, this feature is not available on your account. Contact [support@pickcel.com](mailto:support@pickcel.com) to request access.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable offline screen alerts">
    Under **Email Alerts for Offline Screens**, switch the toggle to **ON** to reveal the alert configuration options.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://cdn.pickcel.com/images/pickcel-docs/offline-alerts/offline-alerts-02-enable-toggle.fBYPrc4dUAjt.png" alt="Email Alerts for Offline Screens toggle switched on in Pickcel Settings" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure periodic alerts">
    In **Alert Configuration**, select **Periodic** to send alerts at fixed intervals throughout the day.

    * **Operating Hours**: Set the start and end time when alerts should be sent (for example, `10:00 AM` to `10:00 PM`).
    * **Threshold**: Choose how long a screen must be offline before it counts toward an alert (for example, `15 minutes`).
    * **Alert Hours**: Add one or more times when the system checks for offline screens and sends a summary email. Click **+** to add more times.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://cdn.pickcel.com/images/pickcel-docs/offline-alerts/offline-alerts-03-periodic.fBYPrc4dUAjt.png" alt="Periodic alert configuration with operating hours, threshold, and alert hours in Pickcel" />
    </Frame>

    <Note>
      **Threshold** is a grace period that prevents alerts from brief network interruptions. A screen must stay offline longer than the threshold before it appears in a report.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure realtime alerts">
    Select **Realtime** to receive alerts soon after a screen exceeds the downtime threshold. The system monitors continuously and sends follow-up alerts every 15 minutes until the screen is back online.

    Set **Operating Hours** and **Threshold** the same way as periodic alerts. Realtime mode does not use **Alert Hours**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://cdn.pickcel.com/images/pickcel-docs/offline-alerts/offline-alerts-04-realtime.1KyLyhBvjlRZ.png" alt="Realtime alert configuration with operating hours and threshold in Pickcel" />
    </Frame>

    <Tip>
      Use realtime alerts for critical displays where you need to respond quickly to downtime.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add email recipients">
    Scroll to **Email Recipients**. Enter a valid email address and click **+ Add**. Repeat for each person who should receive offline screen alerts. Click **Remove** next to an address to delete it from the list.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://cdn.pickcel.com/images/pickcel-docs/offline-alerts/offline-alerts-05-recipients.1KyLyhBvjlRZ.png" alt="Email Recipients section with email input and Add button in Pickcel alert settings" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save your settings">
    When you finish configuring alerts, click **Save** in the top-right corner of the page.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://cdn.pickcel.com/images/pickcel-docs/offline-alerts/offline-alerts-06-save.1KyLyhBvjlRZ.png" alt="Save button on the Pickcel Alerts settings page" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Understanding Your Alerts

<Note>
  **What does the alert email look like?**

  When an alert is triggered, you receive an email with:

  **Subject:** `[Pickcel Alert] Screen Down Notification`

  **Email body:**

  * Offline duration threshold that triggered the alert
  * Timestamp of when the alert was generated
  * Summary of affected screens

  **CSV attachment:** A detailed report (`screen-down-report.csv`) including Screen Name, Screen ID, Last Sync Time, Offline Duration, Group Name, Tags, and Custom Attributes.
</Note>

<Frame caption="Sample email alert showing screen offline notification with timestamp and CSV report attachment">
  <img src="https://cdn.pickcel.com/images/support/settings/Alerts/Email Alert.4ixnyG-Vt2K5.png" alt="Example of offline screen alert email" />
</Frame>

## Important Alert Behavior

<Tip>
  The threshold applies to both **Periodic** and **Realtime** alerts. A screen must be offline longer than your threshold before it triggers any alert.
</Tip>

<Note>
  **Same-day detection:** Alerts focus on screens that went offline on the current day. The system resets daily and tracks new offline instances within today's operating window.
</Note>

<Info>
  Not sure what "offline" means for a screen? See [Health Indicators](/faqs/health-indicators) for how Pickcel determines online, offline, and other screen states.
</Info>

<Info>
  Need assistance? Reach out to our [support team](mailto:support@pickcel.com).
</Info>