It can be frustrating when your WhatsApp Web and phone apps are not syncing properly. There are a few potential reasons why this may happen.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about WhatsApp Web and phone syncing issues:
- Ensure your phone has an active internet connection and you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
- On your phone, go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices and make sure WhatsApp Web is still linked.
- On your computer, refresh the WhatsApp Web page and make sure you are scanning the correct QR code from your phone.
- Log out of WhatsApp Web completely, close the browser tab, then scan a fresh QR code from your phone to relink.
- Check that your phone date/time is set correctly and matches your location.
- Try restarting your phone and computer to force close any stuck processes.
- As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to relink your devices cleanly.
Why Does WhatsApp Web and Phone Not Sync?
There are several potential reasons why you may notice your WhatsApp Web and phone do not stay perfectly in sync:
Internet Connection Issues
For WhatsApp Web and your phone to communicate properly, both devices need to maintain an active internet connection. If there are connectivity problems like weak WiFi signal, mobile data dropping in and out, or using a VPN service, messages may fail to sync across devices.
Try moving closer to your WiFi router, disabling your VPN, or switching from WiFi to mobile data to see if connectivity improves. The latest versions of WhatsApp require a stable internet connection for the best performance.
Old App Version
Using an outdated version of WhatsApp either on your phone or within your browser can lead to syncing problems. WhatsApp frequently releases updates with bug fixes and improvements to stability.
On your phone, open the Play Store or App Store to check for any WhatsApp updates. On your computer, refresh the WhatsApp Web page to ensure you are running the latest web version. Keeping both apps fully updated can prevent issues.
Incorrect Date/Time Setting
WhatsApp uses the time and date setting on your phone to synchronize messages across devices. If your phone’s date or time is set inaccurately, it can cause issues with WhatsApp Web syncing.
Go to your phone’s Date & Time setting and make sure Automatic Date & Time is enabled, along with Automatic Time Zone. Toggle Airplane Mode on and off to force the phone to reconnect and sync the exact time.
Phone Needs Restart
Like any app, WhatsApp processes can sometimes become unresponsive or “stuck” after prolonged use. This can manifest as sync issues between your devices. Try completely restarting your phone to refresh all processes and connections.
Power your phone off completely, wait 30 seconds, then boot it back up. Once restarted, open WhatsApp and scan the QR code to relink WhatsApp Web. A restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
Web Session Expired
WhatsApp Web sessions automatically expire after 14 days if not used. This is a security measure by WhatsApp to require re-authentication. If you have not used WhatsApp Web for 2 weeks, your session will end and your phone will no longer sync.
To fix this, completely close out of WhatsApp Web and open it again. Scan the QR code from your phone’s WhatsApp to freshly link the session. Try to use WhatsApp Web regularly to avoid this issue.
Wrong QR Code Scanned
One simple mistake that can lead to syncing problems is scanning the wrong QR code when linking your WhatsApp Web session. Each device needs its own unique QR code scan.
Double check that you are scanning the code from your personal phone’s WhatsApp, not someone else’s code. Also ensure you scanned the code using the correct phone number’s WhatsApp account.
Too Many Linked Devices
WhatsApp allows you to link up to 4 devices to one phone number. If you already have 4 total devices linked, trying to add more can cause erratic syncing issues.
Open WhatsApp > Linked Devices and check for any unknown or old sessions you can unlink. Having too many concurrent devices can exceed WhatsApp’s sync capability.
How to Fix WhatsApp Web Sync Issues
If you are still experiencing WhatsApp Web sync problems after checking the common causes above, here are some troubleshooting steps to fix it:
Force Close and Restart WhatsApp
Fully close the WhatsApp app on your phone using your device’s app manager. Then reopen WhatsApp and try reconnecting WhatsApp Web. Restarting the app can clear up any memory issues.
Update Your Phone Operating System
Having the latest OS version on your phone provides the best compatibility with WhatsApp. Go to Settings > System > System Update and install any pending OS updates.
Disable Battery Optimization
Some phones try to restrict WhatsApp battery usage through optimization. Disable this by going to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Battery > Optimize Battery Usage > All Apps > WhatsApp.
Clear App Cache and Data
Wipe the existing WhatsApp data by going to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data. Then re-set up WhatsApp and relink.
Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp
If all else fails, completely uninstall WhatsApp from your phone, restart it, then install WhatsApp again from the app store. Set up your account again and link to WhatsApp Web.
Prevent WhatsApp Web Sync Issues
Once you resolve any active WhatsApp Web sync problems, here are some tips to avoid issues recurring in the future:
- Always keep your phone OS, WhatsApp app, and WhatsApp Web updated.
- Link devices in calm indoor locations with strong WiFi to ensure a good QR code scan.
- Periodically relink your WhatsApp Web session by scanning a fresh QR code.
- Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp so background sync is not halted.
- Clear WhatsApp cache/data occasionally to free up resources.
- Limit linked devices to 1-2 at a time for optimal performance.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Web and phone sync issues can be annoying, but are usually fixable. The most common problems involve poor internet connection, outdated app versions, inaccurate date/time settings, expired QR codes, or too many linked devices. Follow the troubleshooting steps outlined above to get WhatsApp Web syncing reliably again.
With some periodic maintenance like updating apps, relinking sessions, and restarting your phone, you can avoid WhatsApp Web sync problems in the future. Keep your phone and computer connected to strong WiFi whenever using WhatsApp Web for the best experience.