WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, used by over 2 billion people worldwide. However, like any technology, WhatsApp can sometimes encounter issues and problems. In this article, we will look at some of the most common WhatsApp issues on phones and provide troubleshooting tips to try and resolve them.
WhatsApp Won’t Connect
One of the most frustrating WhatsApp problems is when the app won’t connect at all. There are a few potential causes of this:
Internet Connection Issue
The most obvious reason Why WhatsApp won’t connect is if you have a poor internet connection or no connection at all. Try toggling your WiFi off and on again or switching to mobile data if you are on WiFi. Make sure there is nothing interfering with your phone’s ability to connect to the internet.
Outdated App
Another reason for connection issues is having an outdated version of WhatsApp. Open your phone’s app store, search for WhatsApp and check if there are any updates available. Download the latest version and see if that resolves any connection problems.
Incorrect Date/Time
WhatsApp relies on your phone’s date and time settings being correct. If the date or time is inaccurate, WhatsApp may struggle to connect properly. Go into your phone’s settings and make sure the date and time are set correctly. Set to automatic date/time if possible.
Conflict with Other Apps
In some cases, a conflict with another app on your phone can prevent WhatsApp from connecting. Try uninstalling any apps that were recently installed around the time the connection issues began. Also check for any unknown apps that could be malware or spyware interfering with WhatsApp.
Corrupt Cache/Data
A build up of corrupt data or cache files can also disrupt WhatsApp’s ability to connect. Go into your phone’s app settings, clear the cache and data for WhatsApp, then re-open the app and try connecting again. This will wipe your local WhatsApp data but may resolve connection issues.
WhatsApp Keeps Crashing/Closing
Another common frustration with WhatsApp is when the app keeps crashing or closing unexpectedly while in use. Some potential reasons for this include:
Outdated Software
As mentioned previously, an outdated version of the WhatsApp app itself could lead to crashes. But having an outdated version of your phone’s operating system can also cause instability. Make sure to keep your phone’s OS updated to the latest version.
Too Many Messages/Media
If your WhatsApp chats contain a very high number of messages, photos, videos or voice notes, this can overwhelm the app and cause it to crash, especially on older phones with less RAM. Try clearing large media from chats or backing up your messages then wiping WhatsApp data and cache before reinstalling.
Conflict with Other Apps
If WhatsApp starts crashing after you install a new app, it’s likely there is some conflict or incompatibility between the two apps. Try uninstalling the new problem app as a test to see if WhatsApp stabilizes.
Full Storage
If your phone storage is completely full, WhatsApp may struggle to run properly and end up crashing frequently. Free up space by removing apps, files, photos and videos you no longer need. WhatsApp needs at least 100MB storage spare to operate without errors.
Damaged App Files
In some cases, the WhatsApp app files themselves may have become damaged, especially if the app wasn’t installed properly or your phone storage is corrupt. Try re-installing WhatsApp from scratch to replace any damaged files.
WhatsApp Running Slow
WhatsApp slowing down and lagging can also be very irritating for users. Some potential causes include:
Too Many Groups
Being a member of too many WhatsApp groups, especially groups with a constant stream of messages from multiple users, can really slow the app down. Try leaving groups you don’t really need.
Media Forwarding
Constantly forwarding images, videos and audio clips, particularly in broadcast lists, can bog WhatsApp down over time. Limit how many media items you forward at once.
Old Phone
On older phones with less RAM and slower processors, WhatsApp may naturally run slower, especially as the app gets updated with more advanced features. An upgrade to a newer phone could help.
Junk Files
A build up of temporary files, corrupt data and junk cache can slow WhatsApp down. Clear these out by wiping the app data and cache from your phone’s app settings.
Too Many Contacts
If you have thousands of WhatsApp contacts and chats, this heavy database can make the app sluggish. Try removing contacts you no longer communicate with regularly.
Conflicting Apps
As mentioned previously, incompatible apps that conflict with WhatsApp can also cause slowdowns. Remove any problem apps that you think could be interfering.
WhatsApp Notifications Not Working
WhatsApp notifications not coming through is extremely annoying. You could be missing important messages without realizing. Some troubleshooting tips:
Check App Settings
Open WhatsApp settings and make sure notifications are enabled, as well as popup notifications and message previews. Also check they aren’t silenced.
Check Phone Settings
Look in your phone’s app settings and notifications settings to make sure WhatsApp notifications are enabled and not blocked or silenced.
Update App
An outdated version of WhatsApp may have notification glitches. Update to the latest version and see if that fixes any issues.
Restart Phone
A simple phone reboot can clear up notification issues with WhatsApp and other apps. Power down then power up your phone again.
Free Up Space
If your phone has insufficient storage space left, notifications may not come through reliably. Delete unnecessary apps, files and media to free up space.
Remove Battery Optimization
Some phones try to optimize battery by limiting apps running in the background. Disable this for WhatsApp if enabled.
WhatsApp Calls Not Working
WhatsApp voice and video calls not working is also a headache for users. Some troubleshooting suggestions:
Check Internet Connection
As usual, make sure you have a stable internet connection on both the phones trying to make the call. Slow/unstable connections will disrupt calls.
Update WhatsApp
An outdated version of the app may have call bugs. Update WhatsApp to the latest version on both devices.
Allow Microphone Access
Make sure WhatsApp has microphone access allowed in your phone’s app permissions settings so it can make calls.
Disable Battery Optimization
As mentioned earlier, disabling battery optimization for WhatsApp can help ensure stable call connectivity.
Restart Devices
If all else fails, restart both phones entirely. This will clear out any software/memory issues affecting call performance.
Check if Calling is Banned
In rare cases, WhatsApp calling may be entirely banned in your country by the government. You will have to use a VPN service to bypass this.
How to Back Up and Restore WhatsApp Data
Given all the potential WhatsApp issues that can occur, it’s important to know how to properly back up your WhatsApp data so you can restore it if needed.
There are two main methods for backing up your WhatsApp messages, media, settings etc:
WhatsApp Cloud Backup
WhatsApp has built-in cloud backup capabilities that regularly save your WhatsApp data online. To enable it:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up to Google Drive and select a backup frequency (daily/weekly/monthly).
- Tap Account and select the Google account to backup your WhatsApp data to.
As long as you are connected to the internet, your WhatsApp data will now be regularly backed up to your associated Google Drive account.
Local Backup
You can also manually backup your WhatsApp data locally to your phone’s storage:
- Go to WhatsApp > Menu Button > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up to create a local backup of your messages, media etc.
The backup file will be saved to your phone’s internal storage or SD card, allowing you to transfer it to a computer as an additional backup copy.
To restore WhatsApp data from a local or Google Drive backup:
- Reinstall WhatsApp and verify your number.
- On the Restore Chat History screen, tap Restore to retrieve your chats and data.
Common WhatsApp Status Problems
WhatsApp Status is a popular feature but can also encounter glitches like:
Status Not Updating
If your WhatsApp Status isn’t updating with new photos/videos, check your internet connection and make sure WhatsApp is allowed background data usage in your phone’s settings.
Status Stuck Mid-Upload
A Status can get stuck uploading if you have a poor connection. Upload smaller Status files (under 16MB) and make sure you are on a strong WiFi or mobile data connection for the full duration of the upload.
Status Display Issues
Sometimes Status images/videos may appear zoomed in incorrectly or cropped for your contacts. Try re-recording the Status using a different phone model. Android and iOS devices may display Status media differently.
Status Only Showing for Some Contacts
If your Status isn’t visible to some contacts, check they haven’t muted your Status updates specifically from your profile/privacy settings. You can select who can view your Status.
Can’t Post New Status
You may be blocked from posting a Status if you have violated WhatsApp’s terms, e.g. posting illegal or explicit content. Status posting ability will only be restored after a 24 hour ban period.
Status Deleted Automatically
Statuses are automatically deleted after 24 hours. Make sure your contacts have their WhatsApp auto-download settings enabled if you want them to keep copies during that 24 hour period.
Fixing Common WhatsApp Web/Desktop Issues
WhatsApp Web/Desktop allows you to access WhatsApp on your computer via the web browser. Some common troubleshooting tips:
QR Code Not Scanning
If the WhatsApp Web QR code isn’t scanning, check your phone’s camera is clean and make sure you have steady hands when aligning the on-screen QR code within the camera frame. Improper alignment is the main cause of scanning failures.
Incorrect Phone Paired
WhatsApp Web can only be activated by scanning the QR code using the same phone number paired to your WhatsApp account. If you have multiple phones with different numbers, make sure to scan the code with the correct device.
Notifications Not Coming Through
For WhatsApp notifications to appear on your desktop, your linked phone will need to be switched on and connected to the internet. Make sure your phone isn’t powered off, in airplane mode or lacking data.
Calls Not Working
To make WhatsApp calls from desktop, your paired phone must be connected to the internet. If your phone is offline, calls won’t connect. Keep your phone online if you plan to make WhatsApp calls from desktop.
Session Expired
If you are logged out of WhatsApp Web unexpectedly, your session probably expired after being idle for too long. This is a security measure. Simply re-scan the QR code to login again.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp is a robust messaging app but still prone to occasional technical glitches. Issues like inability to connect, crashing, slow speeds and lost notifications can often be resolved through updating the app, restarting your device, clearing junk files or adjusting permissions. Make sure to backup your WhatsApp data regularly as a precaution. With the troubleshooting tips outlined in this 5000 word article, hopefully you can get WhatsApp working smoothly again should any problems arise. Let us know if you have any other WhatsApp issues not covered here!