If you are an iPhone user and are facing issues with WhatsApp status sounds not working, you are not alone. Many iPhone users have reported this problem where sometimes the sound in WhatsApp statuses just doesn’t play. The good news is that in most cases, this issue can be easily fixed by trying out some basic troubleshooting steps.
Quick Fixes to Try
Here are some quick and easy things you can try to get WhatsApp status sounds working again on your iPhone:
- Force close and restart the WhatsApp app
- Update to the latest version of WhatsApp
- Check Do Not Disturb settings
- Toggle silent/ringer switch
- Check app permissions
- Restart your iPhone
In many cases, simply doing these basic troubleshooting steps is enough to fix the problem. If the issue still persists, read on for more detailed solutions.
Confirm Latest WhatsApp Version is Installed
One of the first things to check is whether you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed. WhatsApp frequently releases updates that include bug fixes and performance improvements. It’s possible an update has come out that addressed this sound issue.
To check for updates, go to the App Store on your iPhone and search for WhatsApp. If there is an Update button next to it, tap that to download and install the latest version.
Once updated, close WhatsApp completely from the app switcher and launch it again. Try playing a status update with sound and check if the issue is fixed.
Check Do Not Disturb and Ringer Settings
If your iPhone is set to Do Not Disturb mode or the ringer/silent switch is toggled to silent, you will not hear any sounds from WhatsApp statuses or messages. Here’s how to check these settings:
- Do Not Disturb – Open Settings > Do Not Disturb and ensure it is disabled or scheduled outside status viewing time.
- Ringer switch – The switch on the left side of your iPhone should be in the middle position, not toggled down to silent/vibrate.
Toggle these settings back on and try playing a WhatsApp status again to see if sound works.
Verify App Permissions
For any app to play sounds, it needs access to your iPhone’s media storage and playback permissions. Check that WhatsApp has the required permissions enabled:
- Go to Settings > WhatsApp
- Tap on Photos and ensure WhatsApp has access to photos
- Similarly under Media, check WhatsApp has access
If any permission was disabled, enable it and test sound again. This fixes sound issues on WhatsApp statuses as well as calls and voice messages.
Force Close and Relaunch WhatsApp
A simple restart of the WhatsApp app can often resolve temporary glitches that may be preventing sound from playing properly in statuses. Here’s how to force close and relaunch WhatsApp:
- Double click the Home button to open the app switcher
- Locate WhatsApp in the list of recently used apps and swipe up on it to force close it
- Launch WhatsApp again from your Home screen
Give status sound a try after doing this. The problem may be fixed by a simple app restart in some cases.
Check General Sound Settings
It’s worth checking your iPhone’s general sound settings to make sure nothing is incorrectly configured system-wide:
- Volume – Use the volume buttons on the side of your iPhone to turn media volume up
- Mute Switch – Ensure the mute switch right above the volume buttons is not enabled
- Sound Output – Confirm sound is playing through Phone speaker, not Bluetooth or CarPlay
Adjust these back to desired settings and test if sound now works on WhatsApp status.
Try Different Network Connections
Network connectivity issues can also sometimes lead to problems with status sounds not playing correctly. As a test, try switching between WiFi and cellular data to see if that fixes it:
- Turn off WiFi from Control Center
- Play a WhatsApp status with sound over cellular data
- Now switch WiFi back on and test status sound again
Changing network connections resets them and may resolve any temporary issues blocking sound playback.
Update Your iPhone Software
Having the latest iOS software installed can help fix bugs and problems with apps like WhatsApp. Ensure your iPhone is updated to the newest iOS version:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Install any available updates and restart your iPhone
This will update your entire iPhone system software and may resolve the WhatsApp status sound problem in the process.
Try Different Status Videos
Before trying more advanced troubleshooting, test sound on a different status video. This helps determine if the issue is with a specific video or generalized across all statuses:
- Ask a friend to send you a status update with sound
- Check if sound works properly on their status
- Also try uploading and testing a new status video of your own
If sound works on some status videos but not others, re-uploading or changing format of the problematic videos can help fix it.
Disable Battery Optimization
Battery optimization features that limit background app activity can sometimes interfere with status sounds playing properly in WhatsApp. Try disabling it for WhatsApp as follows:
- Go to Settings > Battery
- Locate WhatsApp and toggle off ‘Low Power Mode’
Give status sound a try after disabling battery optimization. This will ensure WhatsApp gets full background access.
Delete and Reinstall WhatsApp
If all else fails, uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp can work to fix pesky sound issues that persist. Backup your messages first, then:
- Delete WhatsApp from your Home screen
- Redownload WhatsApp from the App Store and log in
- Restore your chat history from iCloud backup
Doing a clean reinstall of WhatsApp resets all app data which may eliminate sound glitches. Test status sound after reinstalling.
Reset Network Settings
For connectivity issues causing lack of sound, resetting all network settings can help resolve it:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
- Enter passcode if prompted and confirm reset
- Wait for iPhone to reboot and reconnect to WiFi and cellular data
This wipes all network connections on your device which often fixes persistent sound problems.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If you still cannot get WhatsApp status sounds to work properly after trying all troubleshooting steps, get in touch with WhatsApp support for assistance:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Help > Contact Us
- Explain the issue you are facing with status sounds
- Include details like your iPhone model, iOS version etc.
The WhatsApp team may be able to provide a fix or workaround based on the details you provide.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting steps like force closing the app, checking permissions, reinstalling WhatsApp and updating iOS software can help resolve issues with WhatsApp status sounds not working on iPhone. Trying different networks, videos and disabling battery optimization may also fix it. If the problem still persists, contact WhatsApp support for help getting status sounds back.