macbook keeps pinging periodically even though notifications are off

Hey kopp2it,

If you're hearing notification sounds with notifications disabled on your Mac, the sounds could be coming from an app that's running in the background.

We'd recommend testing to see if the same issue occurs in safe mode. Safe mode will disable login items which are apps that are set to run automatically on startup, so testing in safe mode will help rule out that as a possible cause.

This article explains how: Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

"Start up your Mac with Apple silicon in safe mode

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > Shut Down.
2. Wait for your Mac to shut down completely. A Mac is completely shut down when the screen is black and any lights (including in the Touch Bar) are off.
3. Press and hold the power button on your Mac until “Loading startup options” appears.
4. Select a volume.
5. Press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.
6. The computer restarts automatically. When the login window appears, you should see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar.

Start up your Intel-based Mac in safe mode

1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key until you see the login window.
2. Log in to your Mac.
3. You might be asked to log in again.
4. On either the first or second login window, you should see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar."

Thanks!