WhatsApp Web allows you to use WhatsApp on your computer by linking it to your phone. However, sometimes your contacts may not sync properly between your phone and WhatsApp Web. Here are some tips on how to refresh your WhatsApp contacts on WhatsApp Web:
Make Sure WhatsApp Web is Linked to Your Phone
First, ensure that WhatsApp Web is actually linked to your phone. Open WhatsApp Web on your computer and look for the QR code scanner page. If you see this, it means WhatsApp Web is not currently linked. Scan the QR code with your phone’s WhatsApp to link the two. Once linked, WhatsApp Web will display your chats and contacts from your phone.
Restart WhatsApp Web
If WhatsApp Web is already linked, try restarting the WhatsApp Web browser tab or application. This resets the session and forces the app to resync your data from your phone. On most browsers, you can restart WhatsApp Web by pressing Ctrl+Shift+R (Cmd+Shift+R on Mac). Or simply close the tab and reopen WhatsApp Web.
Restart Your Phone
Restarting your phone will also force your WhatsApp data to be cleared from memory and reloaded. This can resolve any sync issues between your phone app and WhatsApp Web. To restart an iPhone, press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears. For Androids, hold the power button and tap Restart. Wait for your phone to restart completely before reopening WhatsApp.
Update the WhatsApp App
Having an outdated version of WhatsApp on your phone can prevent WhatsApp Web from syncing properly. Go to your phone’s app store and check for any WhatsApp updates. Install the latest version of WhatsApp, then try reloading WhatsApp Web.
Log Out and Log Back In
If the above steps don’t work, try logging out of WhatsApp Web completely and logging back in. On WhatsApp Web, click the three dots menu > Log Out. This signs you out. Then on your phone, go to WhatsApp Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop > Unlink All Devices. Next, reopen WhatsApp Web on your computer and scan the QR code with your phone again to log back in.
Clear WhatsApp Web Cache/Data
Clearing the cache and data for WhatsApp Web can force a fresh sync. The steps vary based on browser:
- Chrome – Open Chrome Menu > More Tools > Clear Browsing Data. Select “Cached images and files” and time range “All time”. Clear data.
- Firefox – Open Options > Privacy & Security > Clear Data. Select “Cached Web Content” and “Cookies” then Clear.
- Safari – Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Select “Cached Web Content” and clear.
- Edge – Settings and more > Settings > Clear Browsing Data. Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies” then Clear.
Disable Browser Extensions
Some browser extensions like ad blockers can interfere with WhatsApp Web and prevent proper syncing. Try disabling all browser extensions and reload WhatsApp Web. If that fixes it, switch extensions back on one-by-one until you identify any problematic ones.
Try Incognito/Private Browsing Mode
Open an incognito or private browser window, then load WhatsApp Web in that. This prevents any extensions or browser cache from affecting it. If your contacts sync properly in a private window, an extension is likely the issue.
Update Your Browser
Using an outdated browser version can also prevent WhatsApp Web from working correctly. Make sure your browser is fully updated to the latest version. You can check for browser updates in the settings. Install any available updates and restart your browser before trying WhatsApp Web again.
Try a Different Browser
In some cases, there may be an issue with a specific browser that prevents WhatsApp Web syncing. Try using a different browser to open WhatsApp Web. For example, if you normally use Chrome, try Firefox or Edge. This can determine if the issue is browser-related.
Clear WhatsApp Data on Your Phone
If you still can’t get your contacts to sync, a last resort is clearing the app data for WhatsApp on your phone. This wipes the local WhatsApp data and forces a re-sync when you reopen it. On iPhone, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Data. Note this will delete your WhatsApp chats so backup your data first.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If none of the above steps fix your WhatsApp Web contact sync issues, you may need to contact WhatsApp directly for support. Be sure to let them know exactly what troubleshooting steps you have already tried. There may be newer known sync issues that WhatsApp support can help identify and resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my WhatsApp Web contacts not syncing?
Common reasons for WhatsApp Web contacts not syncing include having an outdated app version, corrupted browser cache/data, problematic browser extensions, or general connectivity issues. Try the troubleshooting steps listed above to resolve it.
How can I get my WhatsApp contacts back on my computer?
First, ensure WhatsApp Web is linked to your phone properly via the QR code. Try restarting your phone and refreshing WhatsApp Web browser. Make sure WhatsApp is updated on your phone. Clear browser cache/data and try logging out and back into WhatsApp Web. Reinstall WhatsApp as a last resort.
Why are my WhatsApp Web contacts not updating?
If new WhatsApp contacts on your phone aren’t appearing on WhatsApp Web, the app may have trouble syncing across devices. Make sure WhatsApp Web is linked properly, restart your devices, update WhatsApp, and clear browser data/cache to force a fresh sync.
How do I fix WhatsApp linked devices not syncing issue?
For issues with devices linked to WhatsApp not syncing properly, first unlink all devices from WhatsApp settings. Reboot devices and ensure WhatsApp is updated. Then re-link the devices via QR code one-by-one. Cache/data clearing may also help resolve this.
Why does my WhatsApp Web keep logging out?
Frequent logouts from WhatsApp Web are often due to connectivity problems or active sessions on other devices. Ensure your internet connection is stable, log out of WhatsApp on other devices, and try manually logging back into WhatsApp Web.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp Web relies on a consistent connection to your phone in order to sync contacts and messages. If you encounter non-syncing contacts, first ensure WhatsApp Web is properly linked via QR code. Update the WhatsApp app on your phone and try restarting both devices. Clearing temporary browser data and logging out then back into WhatsApp Web can force a fresh sync. Check for any browser extensions that may interfere with WhatsApp Web. As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to wipe the data. Contact WhatsApp support if the issues persist across multiple browsers and devices.