diff --git a/components/push-manager.tsx b/components/push-manager.tsx
index e4e5784..50a5b9c 100644
--- a/components/push-manager.tsx
+++ b/components/push-manager.tsx
@@ -46,6 +46,21 @@ export function PushSubscriptionSettings({ planId }: { planId: string }) {
     async function subscribe() {
         setLoading(true)
         try {
+            // Explicitly request permission first
+            const permission = await Notification.requestPermission()
+
+            if (permission === 'denied') {
+                toast.error("Notifications are blocked in your browser settings.")
+                setLoading(false)
+                return
+            }
+
+            if (permission !== 'granted') {
+                toast.error("Notifications permission not granted.")
+                setLoading(false)
+                return
+            }
+
             const registration = await navigator.serviceWorker.ready
             const sub = await registration.pushManager.subscribe({
                 userVisibleOnly: true,
@@ -55,8 +70,8 @@ export function PushSubscriptionSettings({ planId }: { planId: string }) {
             await subscribeUser(planId, sub.toJSON())
             toast.success("Push Notifications enabled")
         } catch (error) {
-            console.error(error)
-            toast.error("Failed to enable notifications. check permissions.")
+            console.error("Subscription failed", error)
+            toast.error("Failed to enable notifications. Please check site permissions.")
         } finally {
             setLoading(false)
         }