Quick Overview
There are a few common reasons why WhatsApp might not be working even when you have an internet connection:
- Your internet connection is slow or unstable
- The WhatsApp server is down
- Your phone date/time is inaccurate
- You need to update WhatsApp
- Your phone has low storage space
- WhatsApp is restricted by your network
- Your SIM card has changed
- Your phone software is corrupted
Before troubleshooting further, make sure your internet is working properly by loading other apps and webpages. If it’s just WhatsApp having issues, try the solutions below. The most common fixes are making sure WhatsApp is updated, your date/time is set correctly, and your phone has enough storage space.
Check Your Internet Connection
The first thing to check is whether your internet connection is working properly. Open your browser or other internet-based apps to confirm you have a stable internet connection.
Issues like weak signal, using mobile data when the network is congested, WiFi problems, and incorrect APN settings can prevent WhatsApp from connecting even if you have “internet.”
Here are some steps to troubleshoot your internet connection:
- Restart your phone – This resets connections
- Check if other apps are working – Such as your browser, Facebook, emails
- Disable WiFi and use mobile data, or vice versa
- Move closer to your WiFi router, or move to an area with better signal
- Disable battery saver mode – This can interfere with connections
- Reset network settings on your phone
- Contact your mobile carrier and check if there are any network issues or if your plan needs configuration changes
- Check that date/time is set correctly on your phone
If other apps and sites work fine, then the problem is likely with WhatsApp. Move on to the next steps below.
Update WhatsApp to the Latest Version
An outdated version of WhatsApp can cause connectivity issues and bugs. Make sure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp by checking the Play Store or App Store for any available updates.
The steps to update WhatsApp:
- Open the App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android)
- Search for WhatsApp
- If an Update option shows, tap to update WhatsApp to the latest version
- If WhatsApp is up to date, you will see Open instead of Update
Install the latest update and then try using WhatsApp again. This will fix any bugs or issues in old app versions.
Restart Your Phone
Restarting your phone resets all network connections and clears any glitches that could be preventing WhatsApp from connecting properly.
Here’s how to restart your phone:
- On Android – Hold down the Power button, Tap Restart when prompted
- On iPhone – Hold down either volume button and the side button until the power off slider appears, Drag the slider to turn off, Then turn your phone back on
Give your phone 1-2 minutes to fully restart. This will clear any stray processes or connectivity issues that were causing problems with WhatsApp.
Check Date and Time Settings
If the date and time on your phone are inaccurate, it can prevent WhatsApp from connecting to its servers. Follow these steps:
- Go into Settings > System > Date & time
- Make sure “Automatic date & time” and “Automatic time zone” are enabled
- If not enabled, manually set the correct date/time and time zone
- Toggle “Use 24-hour format” if needed
- Open WhatsApp to see if this fixed the issue
Having the exact right time is important for WhatsApp to sync properly. Setting automatic time sync should prevent this issue in the future.
Free Up Phone Storage Space
If your phone is low on storage space, it can cause all sorts of issues with different apps. To ensure WhatsApp has enough space to operate correctly:
- Go to Settings > Storage to check available space
- Delete unused apps, photos, videos, and music to free up space
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp if needed to clear its cache
- Move photos, media, and large files to cloud storage or an SD card
- Disable auto-save for media in WhatsApp settings if needed
WhatsApp needs at least 100MB to 500MB of free phone storage depending on your usage. Having at least 1GB free is ideal. This ensures there is room for WhatsApp’s cache, updates, and media files.
Check If WhatsApp Is Restricted
Some WiFi networks and mobile carriers block or restrict access to WhatsApp. Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Connect using mobile data instead of WiFi to see if the issue persists
- Use a VPN connection to bypass network blocks and restrictions
- Ask your mobile carrier if WhatsApp access is restricted on your current data plan
- If on WiFi, connect to a different network or use personal hotspot instead
- Factory reset your phone in case any restrictions were enabled
If WhatsApp starts working after switching networks or connections, then contact your mobile carrier or WiFi operator to remove the app restrictions.
Reset App Data and Cache
Clearing WhatsApp’s stored data and cache can fix connectivity issues and other glitches:
- On Android:
- Open Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage
- Tap Clear Data and Clear Cache
- On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Select WhatsApp and tap Offload App
- Reinstall WhatsApp
This will wipe WhatsApp’s data and cached files. Reopening WhatsApp should re-establish the proper network connections.
Update Your Phone Software
Having old, vulnerable software on your phone can allow issues to develop with WhatsApp connectivity.
Ensure your phone is updated to the latest OS version:
- On Android:
- Open Settings > System > Advanced > System update
- Check for any available OS updates and install them
- On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Software update
- Install the latest iOS update if one is available
Updated software fixes bugs, improves security, and enhances connectivity. This prevents problems from arising with WhatsApp.
Try WhatsApp Web
If WhatsApp keeps having issues on your phone, try using WhatsApp Web – the web browser version accessible at web.whatsapp.com.
- Open WhatsApp on your phone and go to Settings > WhatsApp Web
- Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the WhatsApp Web page
- This will link your WhatsApp account and let you continue chatting via web browser
If WhatsApp Web is able to connect even when your phone can’t, it likely points to an issue with your phone rather than your WhatsApp account.
Contact Your Mobile Carrier
For persistent WhatsApp connectivity problems, contact your mobile carrier’s customer support:
- Call or chat support and explain the issue – incapable to use WhatsApp when internet is working
- They can check if there are any network issues causing a problem
- Ask them to reset your network connections or refresh your SIM profile
- Inquire if your data plan needs configuration changes to allow WhatsApp properly
- Request them to send a new SIM card if needed
Mobile carriers have tools to troubleshoot and fix service issues on their end. Contact them for help if you cannot resolve the problems getting WhatsApp to connect.
Reset Your Phone to Factory Settings
If all else fails, perform a factory reset to wipe your phone back to its default state.
Backup your phone data first – all files, contacts, apps etc will be erased!
Then reset your phone:
- On Android – Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset)
- On iPhone – Settings > General > Reset > Erase all content and settings
This should eliminate any corrupted files or settings causing WhatsApp connection problems. Restore your data and try setting up WhatsApp again after.
Conclusion
To summarize, these are the main troubleshooting tips for when WhatsApp won’t connect despite having internet:
- Confirm internet is working properly
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version
- Restart your phone
- Ensure date/time is set correctly
- Free up storage space on your phone
- Check for network restrictions blocking WhatsApp
- Reset app data and cache
- Update your phone operating system
- Contact mobile carrier support
- Factory reset your phone
Following these steps should help diagnose and resolve connection issues with WhatsApp. If problems persist, you may need to contact WhatsApp support or visit a device repair shop to identify any underlying hardware or software faults. Be sure to keep your phone software updated and back up your data regularly to avoid potential app problems.