WhatsApp video calling is a great way to stay connected with friends and family. However, you may sometimes find that the audio on your WhatsApp video calls is muted or silent even though your microphone is working properly.
Common reasons for muted WhatsApp video calls
There are a few common reasons why your WhatsApp video call may be muted:
1. Microphone permissions
WhatsApp needs permission to access your phone’s microphone for video calls. If you haven’t allowed WhatsApp access to your microphone, video calls will be automatically muted.
To fix this:
- On Android phones – Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions > Microphone and make sure WhatsApp has permission enabled.
- On iPhones – Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and check that WhatsApp has microphone access enabled.
2. Do Not Disturb mode enabled
If Do Not Disturb mode is switched on, your phone will mute all incoming calls, notifications and sounds, including WhatsApp video calls.
To disable this:
- On Android phones – Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Do not disturb and turn off the feature.
- On iPhones – Swipe up to open Control Center and tap the moon icon to disable Do Not Disturb.
3. Physical mute switch
Some Android phones and all iPhones have a physical mute switch on the side of the device. If this mute switch is enabled, it will mute the microphone in all apps including WhatsApp video calls.
Double check that the mute switch is not toggled on during your WhatsApp calls.
4. Other apps using the microphone
If another app is already using your phone’s microphone, WhatsApp may not be able to access it for video calls. For example, if you’re recording a video in the Camera app while on a WhatsApp video call.
Make sure to close any other apps that may be using the microphone before making WhatsApp video calls.
5. Outdated app version
Having an outdated version of the WhatsApp app can lead to bugs and issues with video calls.
Ensure you’ve updated to the latest version of WhatsApp from your device’s app store.
6. Network connectivity issues
For video calls, WhatsApp relies on your mobile data or Wi-Fi connection. Poor network connectivity or switching between networks during a call can disrupt the audio.
Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or disabling mobile data to force WhatsApp to use a stable Wi-Fi connection.
7. Hardware or software faults
In rare cases, there may be an underlying hardware issue with your phone’s microphone or loudspeaker. Faulty audio drivers and other software bugs can also manifest as muted calls.
Try testing your microphone in another app like Voice Recorder to isolate the issue. Restarting your phone can help clear out temporary glitches.
How to troubleshoot and fix muted WhatsApp video calls
If your WhatsApp video calls are muted, use these troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve the issue:
- Check app permissions – Make sure WhatsApp has microphone access enabled in your phone’s app permissions settings.
- Disable Do Not Disturb mode – Switch off Do Not Disturb so it doesn’t mute WhatsApp call notifications and audio.
- Check physical mute switch – Confirm the mute switch on your phone is not toggled on.
- Close other microphone-using apps – Shut down any apps that could be utilizing the microphone in the background.
- Update WhatsApp – Install the latest version of WhatsApp in case there’s a bug fix.
- Check network connection – Move closer to your Wi-Fi router and disable mobile data to maintain a stable connection.
- Test microphone separately – Use Voice Recorder or another app to confirm your phone’s microphone is working.
- Restart your phone – A simple restart can clear out temporary glitches causing muted calls.
- Check for hardware issues – Visit a technician if you suspect a problem with your microphone or audio drivers.
Following these troubleshooting steps will help identify and eliminate the most common reasons for muted WhatsApp video calls.
How to prevent WhatsApp video calls from muting
You can avoid issues with muted WhatsApp video calls by:
- Granting WhatsApp microphone permission in your phone’s settings.
- Keeping WhatsApp updated to the latest version.
- Making calls in areas with good Wi-Fi coverage.
- Closing other apps before making WhatsApp video calls.
- Checking for physical damage to your microphone or loudspeaker.
- Disabling accessories like Bluetooth headsets before a WhatsApp call.
- Restarting your phone before making an important WhatsApp video call.
Following these tips will help prevent your WhatsApp video chats from being muted unexpectedly.
What to do when your WhatsApp call is muted
If you find your WhatsApp video call muted mid-conversation, try the following steps:
- Ask the other person on the call if they can hear you – The issue may be on their end.
- Hang up and rejoin the call – This reestablishes the connection and may resolve a temporary glitch.
- Switch between speakerphone and headset – Narrow down where the audio issue is occurring.
- Turn off video temporarily – Disabling video lowers bandwidth usage and could improve call quality.
- Move to an area with better reception – Weak mobile networks can disrupt audio transmission.
- Restart your phone – Quickly rebooting can clear up underlying software bugs.
If the steps above don’t restore the audio, the problem may require more in-depth troubleshooting of microphone settings, app permissions, Do Not Disturb modes and network connections.
Conclusion
WhatsApp video call muting is often easily fixed by adjusting app settings, disabling DND modes, switching networks or updating the app. However, microphone faults, hardware issues and software bugs can also manifest as muted calls requiring advanced troubleshooting. Following preventative measures and quickly trying reconnection steps when muted can help minimize disruption during important WhatsApp video chats.
| Reason for Muted Call | Fix |
|---|---|
| No microphone permission | Enable WhatsApp microphone access in system settings |
| Do Not Disturb enabled | Turn off DND mode |
| Physical mute switch on | Toggle off the mute switch on your phone |
| Other apps using microphone | Close other apps before making calls |
| Outdated WhatsApp version | Update to the latest WhatsApp version |
| Poor network connectivity | Move closer to Wi-Fi router, disable mobile data |
| Hardware or software issue | Test microphone in other apps, restart your phone |