Quick Answer
If your WhatsApp microphone is muted, there are a few easy ways to unmute it:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the mic icon in the text box. If it’s crossed out, tap it to unmute.
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chat Settings and make sure Microphone is enabled.
- Check your device settings to confirm WhatsApp has microphone access allowed.
- Force close and reopen WhatsApp to refresh the app.
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version if an update is available.
These basic troubleshooting steps should resolve most cases of a muted WhatsApp mic. If not, try further solutions covered below.
What to Do If Your WhatsApp Microphone is Muted
Having a muted microphone in WhatsApp can be frustrating when you want to send voice messages or make WhatsApp calls. Here are the top recommendations for how to unmute WhatsApp if you find your microphone is muted or not working:
1. Tap the Mic Icon in the Text Box
The quickest way to check your WhatsApp mic status is to open any chat window in the app. At the bottom, tap in the text box as if you’re going to type a message.
To the left you’ll see a microphone icon. If the mic is muted, it will have a red slash through it. Simply tap the icon to unmute.
This takes care of most accidental mutes when you’ve tapped the icon previously without realizing it.
2. Confirm Microphone Access is Enabled
It’s also possible your WhatsApp settings were changed to disable microphone access. Here’s how to check:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the 3-dot Menu button (top right)
- Go to Settings
- Select Chat Settings
- Tap Microphone and make sure the switch is enabled (moved to the right)
If Microphone access was disabled here, turning it back on should resolve your muted mic issues in WhatsApp.
3. Check App Permissions in Your Device Settings
Another possibility is that WhatsApp’s access to your microphone was revoked at the system level. Here’s how to confirm WhatsApp still has permission to use your mic:
On iPhone
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone
- Make sure WhatsApp is enabled (green)
On Android
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions > Microphone
- Make sure WhatsApp has Allowed access
Granting microphone access here will enable WhatsApp to unmute and use your phone’s mic properly.
4. Force Close and Reopen the App
Like any app, WhatsApp can sometimes experience glitches or bugs resulting in a muted microphone. An easy fix is to force close WhatsApp so it resets:
On iPhone
- Double tap the Home button to open the app switcher
- Swipe up on the WhatsApp preview to force close it
- Reopen WhatsApp and check if the microphone works now
On Android
- Open your Android settings
- Tap Apps & Notifications > See all apps
- Tap WhatsApp > Force Stop
- Open WhatsApp again to see if the mic unmuted
5. Update WhatsApp to the Latest Version
WhatsApp regularly releases new versions that fix bugs and improve performance. If your muted microphone issues persist, make sure you’re running the newest WhatsApp version:
On iPhone
- Go to the App Store and search for WhatsApp
- If an Update button is shown, tap it to get the latest version
- Open WhatsApp and check if the microphone works now
On Android
- Open the Play Store app and search for WhatsApp
- If an Update option displays, tap it to update WhatsApp
- Launch WhatsApp and see if your mic was unmuted
Updating the app is a good general measure if you’re experiencing performance issues or glitches.
Further Troubleshooting for WhatsApp Microphone Issues
If you’re still unable to unmute WhatsApp after the above steps, here are some additional troubleshooting tips:
Restart Your Phone
Restarting your phone will clear out any memory issues or glitches affecting WhatsApp. Here’s how to restart:
On iPhone
- Hold down the Side/Power button until the Slide to Power Off option appears
- Drag the slider to turn your phone completely off
- Wait 30 seconds then hold the Power button to restart your iPhone
On Android
- Hold down the Power button until the Power off option appears
- Tap Power off and confirm if prompted
- Wait 30 seconds then hold Power to restart your Android
Once your phone has restarted, open WhatsApp and see if the microphone works.
Check Your Internet Connection
Having an unstable internet connection can prevent WhatsApp features like calls and voice notes from working properly.
Make sure you have a strong WiFi or mobile data signal, then force close and reopen WhatsApp to reset the connection.
Test Your Microphone in Another App
To rule out a hardware issue with your microphone, try using it in another app like Voice Memos or Voice Search.
If your mic isn’t working anywhere, there may be an issue with the microphone hardware that requires service.
Clear Cache and Data
Outdated cached data can also cause performance issues like a muted mic. Here’s how to wipe the WhatsApp cache and data:
On iPhone
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Tap WhatsApp and then Offload App
- Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store
On Android
- Open device Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps
- Tap WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data
- Open WhatsApp again and check microphone function
This erases old data that may be causing conflicts and forces WhatsApp to start fresh.
Back Up Chat History and Reinstall WhatsApp
If the above steps don’t solve your muted WhatsApp microphone, a more definitive solution is to backup your chats then uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp:
On iPhone
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup
- Tap Back Up Now to ensure your chats are backed up to iCloud
- Delete WhatsApp from your Home screen
- Redownload WhatsApp from the App Store
- When prompted, tap Restore to restore your chat history
On Android
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat backup
- Tap Back up to back up chats to Google Drive
- Go to device Settings > Apps & notifications > WhatsApp
- Tap Uninstall and confirm to delete WhatsApp
- Open the Play Store and reinstall WhatsApp
- Log in with your number and restore chats from backup
Reinstalling the app gives you a clean slate, which often resolves persistent issues like microphone problems.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If you still can’t get your WhatsApp microphone to work after trying all troubleshooting steps, reach out to WhatsApp Support:
- On Twitter: Tweet @WhatsApp with your issue
- On Facebook: Message the WhatsApp Facebook page describing the problem
- Via Email: Email [email protected] detailing your microphone issue and troubleshooting attempts
WhatsApp Support can provide individual help troubleshooting and resolving your muted microphone problem.
Preventing WhatsApp Microphone Issues
While muted mic problems can arise unexpectedly, there are some tips to help avoid them:
- Always update WhatsApp to the latest version in your device’s app store
- Give WhatsApp microphone access and allow notifications in your device settings
- Regularly backup chats and media in case you need to reinstall WhatsApp
- Use a stable WiFi or mobile data connection for best performance
- Close unused apps running in the background that may interfere
- Restart your phone once a week to clear out memory issues
Following best practices for using apps on your phone can minimize technical issues with WhatsApp and other apps you use.
What to Do If Your Microphone is Muted in Other Apps
If your microphone is muted across multiple apps beyond just WhatsApp, try these general troubleshooting tips:
- Check device Settings to confirm microphone access is allowed for all apps
- Inspect your phone’s microphone port for any debris/damage
- Test with headphones that have a mic to isolate hardware issues
- Update your device operating system and apps to the latest versions
- Reset all app permissions and re-enable access as needed
- Try a safe mode reboot which starts device with default settings
- As a last resort, backup data and reset device to factory default state
Persistent microphone muting usually indicates an underlying hardware or software issue that requires wider troubleshooting. Contact your device manufacturer or cellular provider for further tech support if needed.
Conclusion
Having microphone access muted in WhatsApp can prevent you from sending voice messages or making calls. But in most cases it can be easily fixed by toggling the microphone icon, checking app settings, granting permissions, or reinstalling WhatsApp. Also ensure your internet connection is stable.
Try the step-by-step guide above to troubleshoot and resolve your WhatsApp microphone issues. With the right fixes, you’ll be able to enjoy clear voice communication through the app again. Let us know if the solutions work to unmute your WhatsApp mic!
