WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. One of the great features of WhatsApp is the ability to use it not just on your phone, but also on your computer. By linking your phone to WhatsApp desktop or web, you can seamlessly continue conversations whether at your desk or on the go.
However, sometimes WhatsApp may not automatically update on your PC or Mac. If you notice your desktop WhatsApp looks outdated compared to the app on your phone, there are a few quick troubleshooting steps you can try to get it syncing properly again.
Check Your Internet Connection
The most obvious reason Why WhatsApp Web or Desktop is not updating is because of an internet connection issue. WhatsApp needs to be connected to the internet to sync messages between devices. Try closing out of WhatsApp entirely and reloading it after verifying your computer is connected to the internet.
Some things to check:
- Make sure your computer is connected to your WiFi network
- Try manually connecting by clicking on the WiFi icon in your system tray
- Do a speed test to confirm your internet speeds are normal
- If on a work network, check with IT whether any firewalls or network filters may be blocking WhatsApp
- Temporarily disable any VPN or proxy services that could interfere with WhatsApp’s connection
Once you’ve confirmed your internet access is working, reopen WhatsApp to see if it begins updating.
Update the WhatsApp App on Your Phone
Another common reason for Why WhatsApp Web or Desktop to stop syncing properly is because you may need to update the WhatsApp app on your phone.
WhatsApp is constantly releasing new versions of its app, with bug fixes and new features. For WhatsApp Web/Desktop to work correctly, your phone and computer clients need to be on compatible versions.
Go to your phone’s app store (the Play Store for Android or the App Store for iPhone) and check for any WhatsApp updates. Install the latest version of WhatsApp on your phone. Then, try reconnecting to WhatsApp Web/Desktop to see if the new app version fixes things.
Re-scan the QR Code
If WhatsApp Web or Desktop was previously connected to your phone successfully, but has now stopped syncing, try re-scanning the QR code to reconnect your devices:
- Make sure your phone is on the latest version of WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp on your computer and tap the three-dot menu > Log Out
- Close and restart WhatsApp on the computer
- Tap Connect a Device and scan the QR code with your phone’s camera when prompted
Scanning a fresh QR code often resolves connection issues, allowing your phone and computer to re-establish communication.
Restart Your Phone and Computer
Restarting your phone and computer can also help resolve any software issues that may be preventing WhatsApp from syncing properly between devices.
Follow these troubleshooting steps:
- Close WhatsApp on both your computer and phone
- Restart your phone and computer (power cycle by turning them off completely, then back on)
- Once both devices have fully restarted, reopen WhatsApp and try reconnecting WhatsApp Web/Desktop
Restarting will clear out any glitches and ensures a clean slate for WhatsApp Web/Desktop to connect successfully.
Check Date and Time Settings
WhatsApp requires your phone and computer to have the correct date and time settings to sync properly. If the times are too far out of sync, it can prevent WhatsApp Web/Desktop from connecting.
On both your phone and computer, check that the date and time are set correctly. Make sure time zones match on both devices, and networks time is updating automatically.
You may need to manually adjust the time if they have drifted. Once both devices read the same time, try reconnecting WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
Update WhatsApp Web/Desktop
Along with your phone app, it’s also important to keep WhatsApp Web/Desktop updated on your computer. Outdated clients can sometimes fail to sync, even if your phone is on the latest WhatsApp version.
On your PC or Mac, check for any available updates to WhatsApp Desktop:
- Windows: Open the Microsoft Store and go to Updates
- Mac: Open the App Store and go to Updates
Install any updates available for WhatsApp Desktop or WhatsApp Web. This will ensure your computer client is on the latest release and able to communicate with your phone.
Troubleshoot Phone Issues
In some cases, general issues with your phone could also be preventing WhatsApp from linking successfully. Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Force close and clear cache of the WhatsApp app
- Check for OS or firmware updates for your phone
- Restart your phone into Safe Mode and try reconnecting WhatsApp
- Reset network settings on your phone
- As a last resort, backup chats and uninstall/reinstall WhatsApp
Addressing any phone performance issues can help WhatsApp communicate better between devices.
Log In and Out of WhatsApp Web/Desktop
If WhatsApp Web or Desktop keeps showing an error connecting to your phone, try logging in and out to reset the connection:
- Log out of WhatsApp Web/Desktop by going to Menu > Log Out
- On your phone, go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices and click ‘Log out all devices’
- Close WhatsApp on both devices
- Reopen WhatsApp on your phone first and ensure it logs in successfully
- Open WhatsApp Web/Desktop on computer and scan QR code to log back in
Logging in and out forces WhatsApp to re-authenticate and establish a fresh link between your devices.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If you still cannot get WhatsApp desktop or web linking to work after trying all troubleshooting steps, you may need to contact WhatsApp directly for support.
You can reach out to WhatsApp support through the following channels:
- WhatsApp contact form: https://www.whatsapp.com/contact/
- WhatsApp business support email: [email protected]
- WhatsApp community forums and help pages
Explain your issue in detail along with themake/model of your devices, WhatsApp versions, and troubleshooting steps you have attempted. The WhatsApp support team may be able to provide additional solutions or identify any bugs preventing WhatsApp from linking properly.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Web and Desktop failing to update is usually an annoyance that can be fixed with some simple troubleshooting on your end. Start by checking your internet connectivity, updating WhatsApp on your phone, and rescanning the QR code. Also make sure both devices are on the latest software versions, with matching date/time settings.
For persistent connection issues, try resetting WhatsApp, logging in/out of linked devices, troubleshooting your phone, or contacting WhatsApp support. With the right troubleshooting, you can get WhatsApp messaging syncing seamlessly between your phone, computer, and other devices.
| Troubleshooting Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Check internet connection | Confirm computer has stable internet access and can load web pages/apps normally. Restart router if needed. |
| Update WhatsApp on phone | Go to app store and install latest WhatsApp version on phone. Matches versions between devices. |
| Re-scan QR code | Tap “Log out” then “Connect a device” to scan a fresh QR code and re-link phone. |
| Restart devices | Power cycle the phone and computer by turning them fully off, waiting, then powering back on. |
| Verify date/time settings | Make sure automatic date/time is enabled and time zones match on phone and computer. |
| Update WhatsApp Desktop | On computer, check app store for any WhatsApp Desktop updates and install them. |
| Troubleshoot phone issues | Check for phone OS updates, reinstall WhatsApp, or reset network settings on the device. |
| Log in/out | On phone, log out all linked devices. Log out then back into WhatsApp Desktop to reconnect. |
| Contact WhatsApp support | Reach out to WhatsApp directly via contact form, email, help center if issues persist. |