WhatsApp is a messaging app that many of us use every day to stay in touch with friends and family. When it’s not working properly, it can be frustrating.
But don’t worry – there are some simple things you can try to get WhatsApp up and running again.
Let’s walk through some easy steps to fix common WhatsApp problems on your phone or computer.
Why Isn’t Your WhatsApp Working?
When WhatsApp stops working, it could be due to a few different reasons. Let’s look at some common problems:
WhatsApp Might Be Having Big Service Problems. Sometimes, WhatsApp itself might be having issues that affect lots of users.
Your Internet Connection Could Be Down. Make sure you’re connected to the internet. Without a connection, you can’t send or receive messages.
Your Phone Might Be Struggling to Run WhatsApp. Your phone might be having a hard time running WhatsApp smoothly.
WhatsApp’s Stored Data Might Be Mixed Up. Sometimes, stored data in WhatsApp can get mixed up and cause problems.
You or Your Contact Might Be Blocked. You might not be able to message someone if they’ve blocked you, or if you’ve blocked them.
Your WhatsApp Settings Could Be Causing Issues. Some settings in the app might be stopping you from sending messages or saving photos and videos.
WhatsApp Might Not Have the Right Permissions. WhatsApp needs your permission to do certain things on your phone. If you’ve said no to these, it might not work right.
Your Account Might Have Been Removed Due to Inactivity. If you haven’t used your WhatsApp in a long time, your account might have been removed.
Understanding what’s causing the problem can help you fix it faster. Let’s look at some solutions you can try.
How to Fix WhatsApp When It’s Not Working?
1. Check if WhatsApp is Down for Everyone
Before you try anything else, check if WhatsApp is having problems for everyone. You can do this by:
- Visiting websites like “Down Detector” or “Is It Down Right Now“
- Checking WhatsApp’s official Twitter account for any announcements
If WhatsApp is down for everyone, you’ll just need to wait until they fix it. This step is important because it can save you time and frustration trying to fix something you can’t control.
2. Restart the WhatsApp App
Sometimes, simply closing and reopening WhatsApp can fix small glitches. Here’s how to do it on different devices:
On iPhone:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle (or double-click the home button on older models)
- Swipe up on the WhatsApp preview to close it
- Tap the WhatsApp icon to reopen it
On Android:
- Tap the square or recent apps button
- Swipe WhatsApp off the screen to close it
- Tap the WhatsApp icon to reopen it
On Windows or Mac:
- Click the X in the top corner to close WhatsApp
- Reopen WhatsApp from your applications folder or desktop shortcut
3. Check Your Internet Connection
Make sure you’re connected to the internet. Without a connection, WhatsApp can’t send or receive messages.
- Check if your Wi-Fi or mobile data is turned on
- Try opening a website to see if your internet is working
- Turn on Airplane Mode, wait a few seconds, then turn it off again to reset your connection
If other apps or websites aren’t working either, the problem might be with your internet, not WhatsApp.
4. Restart Your Device
Turning your device off and on again can solve many tech problems, including app issues. Here’s how:
On iPhone:
- Press and hold the side button and either volume button until “slide to power off” appears
- Slide to turn off, wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the side button to turn it back on
On Android:
- Press and hold the power button until you see the power off option
- Tap “Restart” or “Power off”, then turn it back on after 30 seconds
On Windows:
- Click the Start menu, then the Power icon, and select “Restart”
On Mac:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select “Restart”
5. Fix WhatsApp Web Issues
If you’re having trouble with WhatsApp on your computer:
- Close your browser completely
- Reopen your browser and go to web.whatsapp.com
- Scan the QR code with your phone to set up WhatsApp Web again
If WhatsApp Web works in private or incognito mode but not in normal mode:
- Disable all your browser extensions
- Enable them one by one to find out which one might be causing the problem
6. Clear WhatsApp’s Stored Data
Sometimes, the data WhatsApp stores on your device can get mixed up and cause problems. Clearing this data can often help:
On Android:
- Go to “Settings”, then “Apps”
- Find and tap on WhatsApp
- Tap “Storage”, then “Clear Cache”
On iPhone:
- You can’t clear WhatsApp’s cache directly
- Instead, try deleting and reinstalling the app
For WhatsApp Web:
- Clear your browser’s cache in its settings
7. Make Sure WhatsApp is Up to Date
Old versions of WhatsApp might have problems that have been fixed in newer versions. Here’s how to update:
- On your phone, open your app store (Google Play or App Store)
- Search for WhatsApp
- If you see an “Update” button, tap it
Tip: It’s best to use the regular version of WhatsApp, not the beta version. Beta versions are still being tested and might have more problems.
8. Check What WhatsApp is Allowed to Do on Your Device
WhatsApp needs permission to do certain things on your phone, like use your camera or access your contacts. Make sure you’ve given it the right permissions:
On Android:
- Go to “Settings”, then “Apps”, then “WhatsApp”
- Tap “Permissions” and make sure important ones are turned on
On iPhone:
- Go to “Settings”, then scroll down to find WhatsApp
- Tap it and make sure important permissions are turned on
9. See if Someone Has Blocked You
If you can’t message someone, they might have blocked you. Or, you might have accidentally blocked them. You can check your blocked contacts list in WhatsApp’s settings.
10. Check if You’ve Muted Anyone
If you’re not getting notifications from a specific person:
- Open their chat in WhatsApp and tap their name at the top
- Look for a “Mute” option and make sure it’s turned off
11. Fix Missing Photos and Videos
If you can’t see images or videos in WhatsApp:
- Check your WhatsApp settings to make sure it’s set to download media
- Make sure your phone has enough free space. If your storage is full, WhatsApp might not be able to save new files
12. Stop Messages from Disappearing
If your messages are vanishing after a while, you might have “disappearing messages” turned on. Here’s how to turn it off:
- Open a chat and tap the person’s name at the top.
- Look for “Disappearing messages” and turn it off.
13. Remove and Reinstall WhatsApp
If you’re still having problems, try removing WhatsApp from your phone and installing it again:
- Delete WhatsApp from your phone like you would any other app
- Go to your app store (Google Play or App Store)
- Search for WhatsApp and install it again
This can help if something went wrong when you first installed WhatsApp.
14. Create a New WhatsApp Account
If nothing else has worked, or if you think your account might have been deleted (this can happen if you don’t use WhatsApp for 120 days or more), you might need to create a new account.
Remember, this should be your last option. You’ll lose your old chats if you create a new account, so try the other steps first.
Wrapping Up
When WhatsApp isn’t working, don’t panic. Start by checking if it’s a big problem affecting everyone. If not, try simple fixes like restarting the app or your phone, checking your internet, or clearing WhatsApp’s stored data.
Make sure WhatsApp is up to date and has the right permissions on your phone. If you’re still having trouble, you might need to reinstall the app or, as a last resort, create a new account.
With these steps, you should be able to get WhatsApp working again and stay connected with your friends and family.
Have you had any tricky WhatsApp problems? What worked for you? Share your experiences in the comments below!
FAQ
What should I do first if WhatsApp isn’t working?
Start by checking if WhatsApp is down globally. This saves you time on troubleshooting issues that you can’t control. If there’s a widespread outage, the only option is to wait until it’s resolved.
How can I fix issues with WhatsApp crashing or not opening?
Try clearing the app’s cache as a first step. If the problem persists, consider restarting your device or reinstalling WhatsApp.
What should I check if I’m not receiving messages or notifications on WhatsApp?
Ensure that your internet connection is stable, check app permissions to access notifications, and make sure you haven’t muted the individual or group chats.
Why are images and videos not showing up in my WhatsApp chats?
Verify that the media visibility setting is enabled and that your device has enough storage to save incoming media. Also, check that the auto-download settings are correctly configured.
How can I prevent messages from disappearing on WhatsApp?
If messages are disappearing, it might be due to the disappearing messages feature being enabled. You can turn this setting off in the chat settings to keep your messages permanently.
What steps should I take if none of the basic troubleshooting methods work?
If standard fixes like updating the app or restarting your device don’t solve the issue, consider reinstalling WhatsApp or, as a last resort, creating a new account, especially if your account might have been deleted after a long period of inactivity.
