diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useBrowserNotifications.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useBrowserNotifications.ts
index 395be43..640d499 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useBrowserNotifications.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useBrowserNotifications.ts
@@ -110,6 +110,8 @@ export function useBrowserNotifications() {
 
   const toggleConversationNotifications = useCallback(
     async (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string, label: string) => {
+      const blockedDescription =
+        'Allow notifications in your browser settings, then try again. Some browsers may refuse notifications on non-HTTPS or self-signed HTTPS origins. Check your browser documentation for how to trust an insecure origin and the associated risks before doing so.';
       const conversationKey = getConversationNotificationKey(type, id);
       if (enabledByConversation[conversationKey]) {
         setEnabledByConversation((prev) => {
@@ -131,7 +133,7 @@ export function useBrowserNotifications() {
 
       if (permission === 'denied') {
         toast.error('Browser notifications blocked', {
-          description: 'Allow notifications in your browser settings, then try again.',
+          description: blockedDescription,
         });
         return;
       }
@@ -159,9 +161,7 @@ export function useBrowserNotifications() {
 
       toast.error('Browser notifications not enabled', {
         description:
-          nextPermission === 'denied'
-            ? 'Permission was denied by the browser.'
-            : 'Permission request was dismissed.',
+          nextPermission === 'denied' ? blockedDescription : 'Permission request was dismissed.',
       });
     },
     [enabledByConversation, permission]
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/useBrowserNotifications.test.ts b/frontend/src/test/useBrowserNotifications.test.ts
index 530ce21..b73063d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/useBrowserNotifications.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/test/useBrowserNotifications.test.ts
@@ -148,4 +148,25 @@ describe('useBrowserNotifications', () => {
     expect(focusSpy).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     expect(notificationInstance.close).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
   });
+
+  it('shows the browser guidance toast when notifications are blocked', async () => {
+    Object.assign(window.Notification, {
+      permission: 'denied',
+    });
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useBrowserNotifications());
+
+    await act(async () => {
+      await result.current.toggleConversationNotifications(
+        'channel',
+        incomingChannelMessage.conversation_key,
+        '#flightless'
+      );
+    });
+
+    expect(mocks.toast.error).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Browser notifications blocked', {
+      description:
+        'Allow notifications in your browser settings, then try again. Some browsers may refuse notifications on non-HTTPS or self-signed HTTPS origins. Check your browser documentation for how to trust an insecure origin and the associated risks before doing so.',
+    });
+  });
 });