Quick Answer
There are several common reasons why WhatsApp notifications and calls may not be showing up properly on your device:
- Your internet connection is slow, unstable or disconnected
- Your phone is on Do Not Disturb mode
- Your phone is on silent or vibrate mode
- You have disabled notifications for WhatsApp in your phone settings
- The WhatsApp app is not updated to the latest version
- Your phone’s OS is out of date and needs to be updated
- Your phone’s storage is full
- Background app refreshing is disabled for WhatsApp
- There is an issue with your WhatsApp account
Checking these common factors can help identify and fix the cause of missing notifications and calls in most cases. Making sure WhatsApp app permissions are enabled properly, notifications are turned on, and updating to the latest versions of the app and phone software are good starting troubleshooting steps.
Checking Your Internet Connection
One of the first things to check is your internet connection. WhatsApp requires an active internet connection to send and receive messages and calls. Here are some things to verify about your internet connection:
- Make sure you have an active WiFi or cellular data connection
- Check if other apps that require internet are working properly
- Restart your phone and router if the issue persists
- For WiFi, make sure you are connected to the correct network
- Toggle airplane mode on and off to reset the network connection
- Test your connection speed using a tool like speedtest.net
- Move closer to your WiFi router if the signal is weak
- Contact your internet service provider if your connection is down
An unstable, slow or disconnected internet connection can prevent WhatsApp from fetching new messages and calls in real-time. Ensure you have a strong and reliable internet connection for WhatsApp to work correctly.
Checking Do Not Disturb Settings
Most phones have a Do Not Disturb or DND mode that silences notifications and calls during set times. Check if Do Not Disturb is accidentally enabled on your phone:
- Go to Settings > Sounds (or Notifications)
- Look for Do Not Disturb settings
- Make sure Do Not Disturb is disabled or set to allow WhatsApp notifications
- Check Do Not Disturb schedules to ensure WhatsApp is not silenced during important hours
- WhatsApp should be allowed in the exceptions list if using Do Not Disturb
Having Do Not Disturb enabled during the times you expect WhatsApp notifications can prevent them from coming through. Adding WhatsApp to the exceptions list will bypass DND and always allow notifications.
Checking Notification Settings
It’s also important to check the notification settings both for your phone in general and for WhatsApp specifically:
- Open phone Settings > Notifications
- Make sure notifications are enabled for WhatsApp
- Tap into WhatsApp app settings
- Go to Notifications and enable all notification types
- You can also customize notification sounds and vibrate options here
WhatsApp notifications must be turned on at the app level and system level to come through reliably. Check that none of these notification settings are disabling WhatsApp in any way.
Updating WhatsApp to the Latest Version
Outdated versions of the WhatsApp app may suffer from bugs and issues with notifications. Here’s how to update WhatsApp:
- Open the App Store / Play Store on your phone
- Search for WhatsApp and open the app page
- Check if there are any pending updates for the app
- Tap Update to download the latest WhatsApp version
- The update may fix notification issues in newer versions
Make sure auto-update is also enabled on your phone’s app store to always get the newest WhatsApp releases. The developers often squash notification bugs in app updates.
Updating Your Phone’s Operating System
Along with app updates, an outdated OS version can also prevent WhatsApp notifications from working correctly. Here’s how to update your phone’s operating system:
- Go to Settings > System > System update
- Check if a new OS update is available for your phone
- Tap Download and Install to get the latest OS version
- Restart your phone after the update is complete
- This will update your entire phone’s software
Major operating system updates can fix bugs related to notifications for WhatsApp and other apps. Keep your phone’s OS up-to-date for best performance.
Checking Available Storage Space
If your phone storage space is completely full, it can prevent WhatsApp from downloading new messages and sending notifications. Here are some ways to free up storage space:
- Uninstall unused apps
- Delete large files you don’t need
- Move photos/videos to cloud storage
- Disable auto-save for media in WhatsApp settings
- Clear cached data for apps in phone settings
Having at least 500MB – 1GB of free space is recommended. This ensures there is room for WhatsApp to download messages and notify you of new interactions.
Enabling Background App Refresh
WhatsApp relies on background app refreshing to fetch new messages when the app is not actively open. Here’s how to enable it:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
- Make sure Background App Refresh is switched on
- Tap into WhatsApp and enable Background App Refresh
Background refreshing allows WhatsApp to connect to the internet and update with new notifications when running in the background. Disable power saver modes that restrict this as well.
Checking for WhatsApp Account Issues
In some cases, there may be an issue with your WhatsApp account itself preventing notifications:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Account
- Check your account status shows as Verified
- Re-verify your phone number in the app if unverified
- Make sure Two-step verification is enabled for security
- Log out and log back in to your WhatsApp account
This will rule out any discrepancies with your account that could affect notification services. Reach out to WhatsApp support if your account shows suspended or banned.
Trying a Reinstall
If all else fails, uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp can act as a reset for the app and your notifications settings:
- Go to phone Settings > Apps > WhatsApp
- Tap Uninstall and confirm removing the app
- Download WhatsApp again from the app store
- Log back into your account during setup
- Check if notifications are now working properly
Before reinstalling, make sure to backup your WhatsApp data to avoid losing your messages. A clean reinstall of the app can fix persistent notification issues.
Contacting WhatsApp Support
If you are still facing issues with notifications in WhatsApp after trying all typical troubleshooting, you can contact WhatsApp support:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Help
- Tap Contact us to send an email to WhatsApp support
- Clearly describe your notification issue and steps taken
- Include screenshots showing the problem
- The WhatsApp team can investigate and provide specialized help
Make sure to also check WhatsApp’s help site for updated troubleshooting guides. Sending logs from the app can help WhatsApp identify and resolve notification errors.
Third-party Apps Causing Issues
Using some third-party apps related to WhatsApp can also inadvertently cause notification issues:
- Delete any unauthorized WhatsApp mods
- Remove plugins like WhatsApp Plus if installed
- Get rid of companion apps like WhatsApp Web apps
- Disable app cloning apps splitting WhatsApp
These unauthorized addons can often break notifications in the official WhatsApp app. Stick to the original WhatsApp from the app store for maximum reliability.
Trying a Different Phone
To isolate whether the issue is specific to your phone or account, you can also try installing WhatsApp on a different phone:
- Download and install WhatsApp on another phone
- Log into your account on the second phone
- Check if you get notifications consistently there
- This will help identify phone-specific issues vs account issues
If notifications work properly when using your WhatsApp account on another device, the problem may be isolated to settings or software on your original phone.
Common Troubleshooting Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about fixing WhatsApp notification issues:
Why do WhatsApp notifications come late on Android?
Latency issues on Android are often caused by battery optimization features that restrict WhatsApp background usage. Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp in Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Battery.
Why are my WhatsApp notifications delayed on iPhone?
Check Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp and make sure Allow Notifications is enabled with notification styles selected. Also enable WhatsApp’s background app refresh.
How can I troubleshoot WhatsApp call notifications issues?
Make sure Do Not Disturb permissions allow WhatsApp calls. Verify your ringer volume, vibration and other call settings are enabled. Check for any third-party call/message blocking apps interfering with WhatsApp.
Why am I not getting WhatsApp message notifications on Samsung?
Samsung phones have additional notification settings in the Messages app. Make sure WhatsApp notifications are enabled in Samsung Messages settings. Disable any power saving or optimization modes.
How do I fix missing WhatsApp notifications on iOS 16?
Check Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and ensure WhatsApp is allowed to notify during DND modes. Notifications may be disabled in Focus modes. Customize Focus settings appropriately.
| Notification Issue | Potential Solutions |
|---|---|
| No notifications at all |
|
| Delayed notifications |
|
| Missing message notifications |
|
| Call notifications not showing |
|
Conclusion
WhatsApp notifications issues can often be irritating to deal with, but are usually caused by simple software misconfigurations or connection problems. Following the step-by-step troubleshooting guide above to check settings and update software can help resolve many common notification issues. Make sure to keep WhatsApp fully updated and maintain stable internet connectivity for timely message and call alerts. Contact WhatsApp support if problems persist on a specific device after trying general troubleshooting. With consistent notifications, you can stay on top of all your incoming WhatsApp chats and calls.