This sounds like it might be related to focus stealing prevention. That is the code which prevents new windows getting focus if the system thinks you're busy with something else, so new windows would only get in the way.
** Also affects: mutter (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided Status: New -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Desktop Bugs, which is subscribed to gnome-shell in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1844809 Title: clicking desktop notifications to bring up linked up works intermittently in 19.10? To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-shell/+bug/1844809/+subscriptions -- desktop-bugs mailing list desktop-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/desktop-bugs