---
title: "Manage Alerts"
slug: "manage-alerts"
description: "Manage alerts in the Kentik portal with ease. Learn to acknowledge, clear, comment, and silence notifications effectively."
updated: 2026-07-17T15:08:29Z
published: 2026-07-17T15:08:29Z
canonical: "kb.kentik.com/manage-alerts"
stale: true
---

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

# Manage Alerts

This article discusses how to manage [**Alerts**](/v1/docs/alerting-page) in the Kentik portal.

![Active alerts showing severity levels and metrics for network security incidents.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/082e25b5-afce-42d4-8f47-70bd3f1d02b7/Images/Documentation/AL-alerts-list-selected-rows(1).png)

*Alerts can be managed on the Alerting page.*

Managing alerts in Kentik involves four main tasks:

- [**Acknowledging Alerts**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#acknowledge-an-alert): Acking alerts both manually and automatically.
- [**Clearing Alerts**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#clear-an-alert): Manually clearing active alerts from various locations in the portal.
- [**Commenting on Alerts**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#add-an-alert-comment): Adding, editing, and removing notes on specific alerts.
- [**Silencing Alert Notifications**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#silence-alert-notifications): Muting notifications for an alert for a default or custom duration.

## Alert Management Access

Alert management is done in the portal’s Alerting or DDoS Protect modules. The following table shows where to start the various tasks, while the [**topics**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-alerts-list) afterward explain where to find those locations:

| Task | Alerts List (checkboxes) | Action Menu | Summary Drawer | Details Page Sidebar |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [**Acknowledge an Alert**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#acknowledge-an-alert) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| [**Auto-acknowledge an Alert**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#autoacknowledge-an-alert) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| [**Remove an Alert Ack**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#remove-an-alert-ack) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| [**Clear an Alert**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#clear-an-alert) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| [**Add an Alert Comment**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#add-an-alert-comment) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| [**Edit an Alert Comment**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#edit-an-alert-comment) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| [**Remove an Alert Comment**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#remove-an-alert-comment) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| [**Silence Alert Notifications**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#silence-alert-notifications) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| [**Suppress an Alert**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#suppress-an-alert) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| [**Debug an Alert**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#debug-an-alert) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |

### Access the Alerts List

Open the [**Alerting Page**](/v1/docs/alerting-page) from the portal’s main menu to manage alerts directly from the Alerts list.

### Access the Action Menu

Open the Action menu for alerts in these portal locations:

- **Alerting page**: [**Alerts List**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alerts-list).
- **DDoS Defense page**: Attacks Active Within the Last 24 Hours table (see [**Attack Table**](/v1/docs/ddos-defense#attack-table)).

To access an alert’s Action menu:

1. Open either the DDoS Defense page or the Alerting page from the main nav menu.
2. Click the vertical dots icon for the alert to open its Action menu.

### Access the Summary Drawer

Access the [**Alert Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alert-details-drawer1) on the following pages:

- **Alerting page**
- **DDoS Defense page**

To access an alert’s Summary drawer:

1. Open either the DDoS Defense page or the **Alerting** page from the main nav menu.
2. Click anywhere on an alert’s row (except the Alert ID or device links) to open the Summary drawer.

### Access the Details Page

To access an alert’s [**Alert Details Page**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page1):

1. Open either the DDoS Defense page or the Alerting page from the main nav menu.
2. Click the alert’s ID (**Alert ID** column) to open the alert’s Details page.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** If the **Alert ID** column isn’t shown, do one of the following:
> 
> - Use the [**Customize Columns Popup**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#customize-columns-popup) to show the column, or;
> - Click the vertical dots icon for the alert and select **View Alert Details**.

## Acknowledge an Alert

Acknowledge (ack) an alert from the portal locations shown in [**Alert Management Access**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#alert-management-access).

### Ack Alert on Alerts List

To acknowledge alerts on the **Alerts** list:

1. Open the **Alerting** page from the main nav menu.
2. Check the boxes next to the alerts you want to ack. The [**Alert Controls**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alert-controls) will appear above the **Alerts** list.
3. Click **Acknowledge Alert**.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** This method does not use the [**Acknowledge Alert Dialog**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#acknowledge-alert-dialog), so there’s no opportunity to comment, auto-ack, or confirm acknowledgment of the alert.

### Ack Alert via Action Menu

To acknowledge an alert from its Action menu (see [**Alert-Specific Actions**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alertspecific-actions)):

1. Open the alert’s Action menu (see [**Access the Action Menu**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-action-menu)) and select **Ack Alert**.
2. Click **Confirm** in the [**Acknowledge Alert Dialog**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#acknowledge-alert-dialog).

### Ack Alert in Summary Drawer

To acknowledge an alert in its [**Alert Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/alerting-page):

1. Open the alert’s Summary drawer (see [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer)).
2. Click **Ack Alert** in the **Take Action** pane (see [**Alert-Specific Actions**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alertspecific-actions)).
3. Click **Confirm** in the [**Acknowledge Alert Dialog**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#acknowledge-alert-dialog).

### Ack Alert on Details Page

To acknowledge an alert on its [**Alert Details Page**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page1):

1. Go to the alert’s Details page (see [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page)).
2. Click **Ack Alert** in the [**Alert Details Page Sidebar**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page-sidebar).
3. Click **Confirm** in the [**Acknowledge Alert Dialog**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#acknowledge-alert-dialog).

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**: If the History table is present in the [**Threshold Data Pane**](/v1/docs/alert-details#threshold-data-pane) or [**NMS Data Pane**](/v1/docs/alert-details#nms-data-pane) of an alert’s detail page, you can ack alerts with the **Ack Alert** button at the right of each row.

## Auto-Acknowledge an Alert

When you acknowledge an alert using the [**Acknowledge Alert Dialog**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#acknowledge-alert-dialog), you can auto-acknowledge (auto-ack) future instances of the same alert for a specified duration:

1. Open the dialog from the **Ack Alert** button in one of the following locations:
  1. Action menu: See [**Access the Action Menu**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-action-menu).
  2. Summary drawer: See [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer).
  3. Details page sidebar: See [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page).
2. Click the **Acknowledge additional occurrences (auto-ack)** checkbox.
3. Specify the duration of the auto-ack (see [**Ack Alert Dialog UI**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#ack-alert-dialog-ui)).
4. Click **Confirm**.

## Remove an Alert Ack

Remove your acknowledgement (ack) of an alert from the locations shown in [**Alert Management Access**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#alert-management-access).

> [!NOTE]
> **Notes**:
> 
> - You can only remove an ack for an alert that you acknowledged.
> - Removing an auto-ack is only possible from the [**Auto-acknowledgements**](/v1/docs/auto-acknowledgements) page.

### Remove Ack via Action Menu

To remove an ack using the alert’s Action menu (see [**Alert-Specific Actions**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alertspecific-actions)):

1. Open the alert’s Action menu (see [**Access the Action Menu**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-action-menu)).
2. Click **Remove Ack**.

### Remove Ack in Summary Drawer

To remove an ack in the alert’s [**Alert Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/alerting-3#alert-details-drawer1):

1. Open the alert’s Summary drawer (see [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer)).
2. Click **Remove Ack** in the drawer’s **Take Action** pane.

### Remove Ack on Details Page

To remove an ack on an alert’s [**Alert Details Page**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page1):

1. Go to the alert’s **Details** page (see [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page)).
2. Click **Remove Ack** in the page’s [**Alert Details Page Sidebar**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page-sidebar),

## Clear an Alert

Clear an active alert from the locations shown in [**Alert Management Access**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#alert-management-access).

### Clear Alert via Alerts List

To clear alerts on the [**Alerts List**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alerts-list):

1. Open the Alerting page from the portal’s main nav menu.
2. Check the boxes next to the alerts you’d like to clear. The [**Alert Controls**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alert-controls) will appear at the top left of the list.
3. Click **Clear Alert**.
4. Click **Confirm** in the confirmation popup.

### Clear Alert in Summary Drawer

To clear an alert from its [**Alert Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alert-details-drawer1):

1. Open the alert’s Summary drawer (see [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer)).
2. Click **Clear Alert** in the **Take Action** pane.
3. Click **Confirm** in the confirmation popup.

### Clear Alert on Details Page

To clear an alert from its [**Alert Details Page**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page1):

1. Go to the alert’s **Details** page (see [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page)).
2. Click **Clear Alert** in the [**Alert Details Page Sidebar**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page-sidebar).
3. Click **Confirm** in the confirmation popup.

## Add an Alert Comment

Add an alert comment in the locations shown in [**Alert Management Access**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#alert-management-access).

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** Comments are displayed in the locations described in [**Alert Comments**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alert-comments).

### Add Comment from Action Menu

To add a comment from an alert’s Action menu (see [**Alert-Specific Actions**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alertspecific-actions)):

1. Open the alert’s Action menu (see [**Access the Action Menu**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-action-menu)).
2. Click **Add** **Comment**.
3. Enter your comment in the **Add a Comment** field and click **Save**.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**: The field is expandable with the handle in its lower right corner.

### Add Comment on Summary Drawer

To comment on an alert in its [**Alert Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alert-details-drawer1):

1. Open the alert’s Summary drawer (see [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer)).
2. Enter your comment in the **Comments** field.
3. Click **Add Comment** to add the comment to the alert.

### Add Comment on Details Page

To comment on an alert on its [**Alert Details Page**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page1):

1. Go to the alert’s **Details** page (see [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page)).
2. Enter your comment in the **Comments** field in the [**Alert Details Page Sidebar**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page-sidebar).
3. Click the blue arrow at the right to add the comment to the alert.

### Add Comment in Ack Alert Dialog

To add a comment when acknowledging an alert in the [**Acknowledge Alert Dialog**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#acknowledge-alert-dialog):

1. Open the dialog from the **Ack Alert** button in one of the following locations:
  1. Action menu: See [**Access the Action Menu**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-action-menu).
  2. Summary drawer: See [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer).
  3. Details page sidebar: See [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page).
2. Enter your comment in the **Comments** field and click **Confirm**.

## Edit an Alert Comment

Edit your comments on an alert in the locations shown in [**Alert Management Access**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#alert-management-access).

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**: You cannot edit another user’s comments.

### Edit Comment in Summary Drawer

To edit a comment in an alert’s [**Alert Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/alerting-page):

1. Open the alert’s Summary drawer (see [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer)).
2. In the Summary drawer, find the Comments card for the comment you’d like to change.
3. Click **Edit** and make the needed changes.
4. Click **Save**.

### Edit Comment on Details Page

To edit a comment in an alert’s [**Alert Details Page**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page1):

1. Go to the alert’s **Details** page (see [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page)).
2. In the [**Alert Details Page Sidebar**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page-sidebar), find the Comments card for the comment you’d like to change.
3. Click **Edit** and make the needed changes.
4. Click **Save**.

## Remove an Alert Comment

Remove your comment from an alert in the locations shown in [**Alert Management Access**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#alert-management-access).

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**: You cannot remove another user’s comments.

### Remove Comment on Summary Drawer

To remove your comment from an alert on its [**Alert Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alert-details-drawer1):

1. Open the alert’s Summary drawer (see [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer)).
2. In the Summary drawer, find the Comments card for the comment you’d like to remove.
3. Click **Remove** at the top right.
4. Click **Remove** in the confirmation popup.

### Remove Comment on Details Page

To remove your comment from an alert on its [**Alert Details Page**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page1):

1. Go to the alert’s **Details** page (see [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page)).
2. In the [**Alert Details Page Sidebar**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page-sidebar), find the Comments card for the comment you’d like to remove.
3. Click **Remove**.
4. Click **Remove** in the confirmation popup.

## Silence Alert Notifications

Silence an alert’s [**Notifications**](/v1/docs/notification-channel) for seven days from the locations shown in [**Alert Management Access**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#alert-management-access).

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**: To set a custom silence duration when acknowledging an alert, see [**Alert-Specific Actions**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alertspecific-actions).

### Silence Alert using Action Menu

To silence an alert using the alert’s Action menu (see [**Alert-Specific Actions**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alertspecific-actions)):

1. Open the alert’s Action menu (see [**Access the Action Menu**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-action-menu)).
2. Click **Silence Notifications**.

### Silence Alert in Summary Drawer

To silence notifications for an alert in the alert’s [**Alert Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#alert-details-drawer1):

1. Open the alert’s Summary drawer (see [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer)).
2. Click **Silence Notifications** in the **Take Action** pane.

### Silence Alert on Details Page

To silence an alert’s notifications on its [**Alert Details Page**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page1):

1. Go to the alert’s **Details** page (see [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page)).
2. Click **Silence Notifications** in the [**Alert Details Page Sidebar**](/v1/docs/alert-details#alert-details-page-sidebar), .

### Custom Silence Alert

Silence an alert’s notifications for a custom duration when acknowledging an alert in the [**Acknowledge Alert Dialog**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#acknowledge-alert-dialog):

1. Open the dialog from the **Ack Alert** button in one of the following locations:
  1. Action menu: See [**Access the Action Menu**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-action-menu).
  2. Summary drawer: See [**Access the Summary Drawer**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-drawer).
  3. Details page sidebar: See [**Access the Details Page**](/v1/docs/manage-alerts#access-the-details-page).
2. Check the box for **Silence notifications for this alert**.
3. Set the desired duration using the **Duration** controls (see [**Ack Alert Dialog UI**](/v1/docs/alerting-page#ack-alert-dialog-ui)).
4. Click **Confirm** to silence notifications, acknowledge the alert, and close the dialog.

## Suppress an Alert

Suppressing an alert prevents it from triggering notifications based on defined criteria.

### Suppress Alert in Summary Drawer

1. Open the alert's Alert Summary Drawer.

2. Click **Suppress Alert** in the Take Action pane.

3. Configure the suppression rules in the slide-out panel and save.

## Debug an Alert

Use the debugging tools to inspect policy evaluations and see exactly why an alert triggered.

### Debug Alert in Summary Drawer

1. Open the alert's Alert Summary Drawer.

2. Click **Debug Alert...** in the Take Action pane to open the policy debugger.