If you are unable to update or view WhatsApp statuses today, there are a few potential causes and solutions to try. The problem is likely temporary and can often be fixed by basic troubleshooting steps like restarting your phone, reinstalling WhatsApp, or checking for app updates.
Confirm the issue is on your end
Firstly, confirm if the status issue is on your end or a wider outage. Try updating your status on a different device, like a friend’s phone. If your status works there, then the problem is isolated to your phone. But if it fails across devices, WhatsApp may be having a temporary technical issue.
You can also check sites like Downdetector to see if others are reporting WhatsApp problems. Mass outages are rare but do occasionally happen. If it’s a larger issue, you’ll have to wait for WhatsApp to fix it on their end.
Restart your phone
If the status trouble seems isolated to your device, a basic reboot is one of the first things to try. Close all apps, power down your phone completely, wait 30 seconds, then restart it. This refreshes the phone’s memory and clears out any minor software glitches that could be preventing WhatsApp status from working correctly.
Rebooting gives the WhatsApp app itself a fresh start as well. After restarting your phone, launch WhatsApp and check if statuses are now updating properly again.
Update or reinstall WhatsApp
Make sure WhatsApp is fully up-to-date on your device. Open your phone’s app store, go to WhatsApp’s page, and check if any new updates are available. Install them if so.
Major app updates often contain bug fixes and optimizations that could resolve your status not working issue. Even if no updates are shown, try fully uninstalling WhatsApp then fresh installing the latest version. This wipes the app data clean.
Back up your WhatsApp chat history to Google Drive or iCloud before reinstalling to avoid losing your messages. After a fresh install, restore your chat backup when prompted.
Check account status
Log into WhatsApp with your phone number and verify your account isn’t banned or limited. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right > Settings > Account. Check for any notices about your account status.
If your account was recently banned, your ability to update status may be temporarily revoked. You’ll have to wait out the duration of the ban.
Allow status privacy settings
Make sure your WhatsApp status privacy isn’t set to contacts-only with no contacts added. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Status and check who can see your status updates.
Set this to “My Contacts Except…” if needed, and exclude any contacts you don’t want seeing your status. If “My Contacts” is enabled but you have no contacts, switch to “Everyone” temporarily to rule out this as an issue.
Clear app cache and data
From your phone’s settings, find the app info page for WhatsApp. Here you can clear cached data and clear storage. Tap these options one by one.
This wipes temporary app files and resets the app. You’ll have to re-verify your number so keep your phone handy. Statuses may work normally after clearing this data.
Update your phone software
On both iOS and Android devices, make sure your overall phone software is fully updated. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on iPhone, or Settings > System > System update on Android.
Major phone OS updates can sometimes inadvertently cause issues with apps like WhatsApp. Installing the latest OS update may rectify any compatibility problems.
Disable battery optimizations
To avoid WhatsApp being put to sleep and causing issues, disable battery optimizations for the app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Battery > Optimize battery usage > All apps > WhatsApp > Don’t optimize.
On iPhone with iOS 13 or later, go to Settings > Battery > WhatsApp and turn off Low Power Mode. This prevents background throttling of WhatsApp that could disrupt statuses.
Restart your phone’s network
Poor network connectivity could potentially interfere with WhatsApp’s ability to update status. Try restarting your phone’s mobile network entirely:
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Shut Down. Slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds, then turn your phone back on.
On Android, go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Tap Reset settings and reboot.
This will refresh your network addresses and registered mobile connection. Test if WhatsApp status now works after the network reset.
Free up storage space
If your phone is low on storage, some apps can exhibit problems. Check your available space in Settings. Free up room by deleting old photos, files and unused apps if you are running low.
WhatsApp needs free space to cache media for statuses. Clearing clutter can help the app function properly if storage was nearly full.
Update your Wi-Fi network
Similarly, connectivity issues with your home or office Wi-Fi network could impact WhatsApp’s functionality. If on Wi-Fi, try switching to mobile data instead as a test.
You can also power cycle the Wi-Fi router and modem to refresh the network. Unplug them from power for one minute, then reconnect them and relaunch WhatsApp after the network is back up.
Contact WhatsApp support
If no amount of troubleshooting fixes your WhatsApp status problems, reach out directly to WhatsApp for additional help. In the WhatsApp app, go to Settings > Help > Contact Us and email their support team describing the issues.
They may be able to provide tailored troubleshooting tips or determine if your account needs attention on their end. Provide any details you can about the nature of the status failure and what steps you’ve tried already.
Wait for a fix
In rare cases of widespread WhatsApp outages, there may be nothing you can do except wait patiently. Status issues due to overwhelmed WhatsApp servers or bugs will have to be resolved internally by WhatsApp engineers.
Major app bugs typically get addressed quickly via app updates. Be patient, and keep an eye out for any new WhatsApp releases in your phone’s app store which may contain a fix.