WhatsApp verification is an important process that confirms your identity and secures your account. However, sometimes the verification code may not come through as expected, leaving your account stuck in an unverified state. There are a few common reasons why your WhatsApp may not be getting verified when trying to activate it on a new device:
Incorrect or Outdated Phone Number
The most common reason is that you have an incorrect or outdated phone number tied to your WhatsApp account. WhatsApp sends the 6-digit verification code via SMS to the phone number registered on your account. If this number is entered wrongly when setting up your account or has changed since you set up your account, you will not receive the verification SMS. Double check that the number registered on your WhatsApp account is correct and that you have active cellular service on that number.
Poor Cellular Reception
You may not get the verification code if you have poor or intermittent cellular reception where you are trying to activate WhatsApp. Try moving to an area with better signal strength and requesting the verification code again. If your phone is dual-SIM, try switching the SIM card WhatsApp is registered to. You can also try enabling WiFi calling on your device which routes calls and messages over WiFi when cellular signal is weak.
SMS Delivery Failures
Network issues can sometimes cause SMS verification codes not to be delivered properly. This could be due to an outage or technical issue from your mobile carrier. Check for any service alerts from your provider. Turning your phone off and on again or toggling airplane mode can help reset the connection. Verify your SIM card is properly inserted and activated.
Banned or Restricted Number
In rare cases, the phone number may be banned or restricted from receiving SMS messages by WhatsApp. This can happen if the number was previously associated with TOS violations. You cannot use banned or restricted numbers to verify a new WhatsApp account. You will need to acquire a new SIM card and number not subject to any blocks.
Verifying Too Often
WhatsApp limits how frequently an account can request a verification SMS to prevent abuse. If you have tried verifying your account multiple times in a short period, you may be temporarily blocked from receiving another code. Wait a few hours before trying again. Also make sure there is only one device attempting verification at once.
Out of Verification Attempts
After a certain number of failed verification attempts, WhatsApp will not allow that account to request any more codes for a set time period. This is usually after 30 unsuccessful attempts. You will not be able to verify your account until the ban expires, which can take anywhere from a few hours up to 48 hours. Be patient and try again later.
Incorrect Date/Time on Device
The verification codes have a limited validity period. If your device’s date and time settings are incorrect, this can cause codes to expire prematurely before you can enter them. Make sure your device’s date and time are set correctly and synchronized. Toggle automatic time settings on and off and restart your device to refresh the time.
Jailbroken or Rooted Device
Using a jailbroken iOS device or rooted Android device prevents WhatsApp verification codes from working properly. These modified devices are more vulnerable to abuse. You may need to use a standard non-jailbroken device for WhatsApp verification.
Third-Party Apps Interfering
Some third party apps like firewalls, security suites, cloned apps, and SMS blockers can interfere with WhatsApp verification codes being received or sent. Try disabling or removing any dubious apps and see if verification starts working normally.
Spam-Blocking Apps
If you have a spam call/text blocker app enabled, it may be inadvertently blocking the WhatsApp verification message and preventing it from being displayed. Add the WhatsApp number to your contacts and to the app’s whitelist before attempting verification again.
SIM Card Not Provisioned for SMS
In rare cases, a carrier may not have SMS/MMS properly enabled on a new SIM card by default. Contact your mobile carrier to confirm the SMS service is active on your SIM card, which is required to receive WhatsApp verification.
Troubleshooting Steps
If you are still unable to get verified in WhatsApp, try these troubleshooting steps:
Check Number is Correct
Open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Edit phone number. Confirm your full phone number including country code is entered correctly. Update it if needed.
Disable Dual-SIM
If your phone has dual SIM support, disable the secondary SIM and retry verification on the primary SIM only. Dual SIMs can sometimes interfere with SMS delivery.
Toggle Airplane Mode
Turn on Airplane mode for 30 seconds before turning it off again. This will force your device to re-establish the cellular connection which may resolve any network issues preventing verification.
Restart Device & WhatsApp
Restart your device and the WhatsApp app completely to clear out any software bugs that may be interfering with verification. Turn your device off and back on. Force close the WhatsApp app on Android or swipe it away on iOS before relaunching.
Remove and Reinsert SIM
Take out your SIM card and check it for any damage or dirt on the contacts. Clean it if necessary and carefully reinsert the SIM card, restarting your device afterwards. This refreshes the cellular connection.
Manually Register Number
Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Register via SMS. Enter your number manually including country code and request a new verification code.
Try a Different Number
If you have multiple phone numbers, attempt verification using a different number. This will confirm whether the issue is specific to one number or a general connectivity issue.
Use WiFi/Web Version
Try verifying your account on the WhatsApp web version at http://web.whatsapp.com using a desktop browser and your mobile for SMS retrieval. The web version may work if the mobile app is having issues.
Contact Your Carrier
Reach out to your mobile carrier’s customer support if connectivity issues persist and you cannot receive any SMS messages. They can check and reset your connection as needed on their end.
Restore From Backup
Uninstall WhatsApp completely, then reinstall and restore your account from an existing backup. Restore via Google Drive if on Android or iCloud if on iOS. Restoring can wipe out any corrupted data.
Using Alternative Numbers
If your primary number continues having verification issues in WhatsApp, you may need to switch to using an alternate number instead:
Try a Different SIM Card
Swap your current SIM card with a different SIM from another provider and register your WhatsApp account with the new number.
Use a VoIP Number
Sign up for a VoIP phone number from apps like Google Voice, TextNow, or Talkatone which offer free online numbers you can use to get verified.
Borrow a Friend’s Number
Ask a friend if you can temporarily use their number to get your WhatsApp account verified. Make sure to log them out afterwards.
Purchase New SIM Card
Buy a new SIM card with a different number as a last resort if you continue having verification issues on your current cellular number.
Switch Providers
For persistent network-related activation troubles, you may need to switch mobile carriers entirely and get a new phone/SIM number on a different provider’s network.
Preventing Verification Issues
Once your WhatsApp account is successfully verified, follow these tips to avoid verification problems in the future:
Back Up Verification Codes
Keep a record of your most recent verification codes in case you need to re-verify your number later when restoring backups or on new devices.
Save Account Info
Make sure your WhatsApp account phone number, registered email, and two-factor authentication PIN are written down somewhere safe in case you need to recover or re-verify your account.
Link Email to Account
Link your email address to your WhatsApp account. This provides an alternate way to verify your account if you have phone number issues.
Turn on Two-Step Verification
Enabling two-step verification adds extra security, requiring both your phone number and a custom PIN to verify your device.
Avoid Restricted Apps
Don’t use apps like cloned WhatsApp, SMS blockers, or jailbreak tweaks that could trigger blocks or bans which may prevent verification.
Conclusion
Being unable to verify your WhatsApp account can be frustrating, but the issue usually stems from an incorrect or blocked number, network outage, or software conflict. Carefully verifying your registered phone number, cycling airplane mode, switching SIM cards, contacting your carrier, removing third-party apps, and using WiFi or alternative numbers can typically resolve most WhatsApp verification problems if you troubleshoot the issue step-by-step. Record your verification codes and account info so that you have them handy if you ever need to go through the verification process again in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my WhatsApp verification code not coming?
Common reasons your WhatsApp verification code may not be coming include having an incorrect phone number registered, poor cellular signal, network issues blocking SMS delivery, requesting verification too many times, or your device’s date/time being wrong.
How can I verify my number if I’m not receiving SMS?
If you aren’t receiving any SMS for WhatsApp verification, try via WiFi on the web version, use a different SIM card, borrow a friend’s number temporarily, or purchase a new SIM card to get verified.
What happens if I enter the wrong verification code too many times?
If you enter the wrong verification code too many times (usually over 30), WhatsApp will temporarily ban requesting new codes for up to 48 hours before you can attempt to verify your account again.
Why does my WhatsApp verification code keep changing?
WhatsApp verification codes continuously change after a short validity period. This is intended behavior to improve security. You need to enter each new code within a minute or two of receiving it before it expires.
How can I verify WhatsApp without a phone number?
You must have an active phone number to verify WhatsApp. The only way is to use a VoIP number from apps like Google Voice if you don’t have a regular cellular number. Alternatively, link an email to your account.
Can I use the same WhatsApp number on two phones?
No, you cannot verify the same WhatsApp number on two phones simultaneously. Your account can only be active on one device at a time. You need separate numbers to use WhatsApp on two phones.
Common WhatsApp Verification Error Codes
Here are some common verification error codes you may encounter in WhatsApp and how to fix them:
| Error Code | Message | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| ERRCODE 4006 | Too many verification attempts. Try again in 24 hours. | You have exceeded the verification attempt limit. Wait 24 hours. |
| ERRCODE 4008 | Your phone number is banned from WhatsApp. | Your number has been banned. You will need a new number. |
| ERRCODE 4016 | This phone number is restricted by WhatsApp. | Your number is restricted. Contact WhatsApp support. |
| ERRCODE 4018 | Verification expired. Retry with a new code. | The verification code expired. Request a fresh one. |
| ERRCODE 4021 | Verification failed. Try again using a valid code. | You entered the wrong code. Double check and re-enter it. |
| ERRCODE 4028 | Too many registration attempts. Try again later. | You have tried to verify too many times. Wait a few hours. |
Why does it say my phone number is invalid?
If WhatsApp gives an “invalid number” error when trying to verify, it indicates the number you entered is not formatted correctly or does not exist on the cellular network. Double check your country code and number digits.
How do I request a new WhatsApp verification code?
If your verification code expires, you can request a new one within WhatsApp by going to Settings > Account > Verification and selecting “Request new code” or “Change number” to re-enter your phone number.
What happens if I get a new phone number?
If you change your phone number, you will need to update it in WhatsApp’s Change Number menu and re-verify your new number. Your chat history can be retained via local or Google Drive backup.
Why does my verification code not work on WhatsApp Web?
If your verification code doesn’t work on WhatsApp Web, make sure your phone has active Internet and you have scanned the QR code to link the devices. The mobile app must verify first before the web.
Conclusion
Being unable to verify a WhatsApp account is a common frustration. However, by carefully checking your registered number, troubleshooting network and app issues, cycling airplane mode, contacting your provider, using WiFi/web access, and trying alternative numbers, you should eventually be able to receive the SMS verification code and activate your account. If problems persist, dig into the specific error codes for solutions. Record your verification codes and account info safely for easier recovery in the future. With focused troubleshooting, you can overcome WhatsApp verification problems.