Having issues with video calls on WhatsApp is a common problem that many users face. Don’t worry, there are some quick troubleshooting steps you can try to get your video calls working again.
Quick Fixes
Here are some quick things to try when your WhatsApp video call is not working:
- Close and re-open the WhatsApp app
- Force quit the WhatsApp app and re-launch it
- Restart your phone
- Check your internet connection and switch to a different Wi-Fi or cellular data
- Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed
- Clear cache and data for WhatsApp
Often simply closing and reopening the app, force quitting it, restarting your phone or checking your internet connection is enough to resolve temporary glitches that prevent video calls from connecting properly. Make sure you also have the latest version of WhatsApp which contains bug fixes.
Internet Connection Issues
One of the most common reasons for WhatsApp video call issues is problems with your internet connection. For video calls to work properly, you need a stable and fast internet connection on both the phones involved in the call.
Here are some internet related factors that can prevent WhatsApp video calls from working:
- Slow internet speed – Video calls require minimum 3G speed or higher. In areas with poor network coverage, video calls may not work properly.
- WiFi connection problems – Weak WiFi signal, interference or congestion on the network can cause video call issues.
- Cellular data problems – If cellular data is slow or patchy, it will affect video call connectivity.
- Switching between WiFi and cellular – The change in connections during a video call can cause it to drop.
If you are on a WiFi network, try moving closer to the router or turning off other devices using the network to reduce congestion. Switching to cellular data instead is also worth a try. Make sure you have at least 3G connectivity on cellular. Disable WiFi if the cellular connection is faster.
Improving Video Call Connection
Here are some tips to get a better internet connection for WhatsApp video calls:
- Get closer to your WiFi router and connect other devices to ethernet if possible.
- Limit bandwidth heavy activities like streaming video when on a video call.
- If using cellular data, try moving closer to a window or stepping outside to get better signal.
- Reduce background app activity and turn on airplane mode during video calls.
- Ask others in your household to limit internet use during your call.
Following these tips will help maximize your internet bandwidth available for your WhatsApp video call to work properly.
Account and Phone Issues
Aside from network problems, there are also some account and phone related issues that could be preventing WhatsApp video calls from working properly.
Account Problems
- Outdated WhatsApp version – Update to the latest version of WhatsApp if you haven’t already.
- Banned account – WhatsApp bans accounts engaged in spam/abusive behavior. Video calls will not work if you are banned.
- Incorrect permissions – Check WhatsApp’s permissions and make sure camera, microphone and storage access is allowed.
- Logged in on multiple devices – Log out from other devices if your account is logged in at multiple locations.
Phone Related Issues
- Outdated OS – Update your phone’s operating system for latest bug fixes and features.
- Low storage space – Insufficient storage can prevent WhatsApp from functioning properly. Clear space.
- Overheating – Heat can affect your phone’s performance. Let your phone cool off if overheating.
- Incorrect date/time – Make sure your phone’s date and time are set correctly.
- Disabled camera/microphone – Check permissions and make sure camera and mic access is enabled.
Checking these account and phone related factors will help identify and fix problems that may be interfering with WhatsApp video call functionality on your device.
Caller Related Issues
In some cases, the issue may be on the other caller’s side preventing the video call from going through. Here are some things to look out for:
- They have an outdated WhatsApp version
- Poor network connectivity on their end
- Their phone has low storage, overheating issues
- Their account is logged in on multiple devices
- They have incorrect permissions or disabled camera/mic
If you have tried all troubleshooting steps on your end but video calls still don’t work, politely ask the other person to also check their WhatsApp version, internet connection, account settings and phone condition. This will help identify if the issue is on their side.
Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp
If you have tried all other troubleshooting tips but are still unable to get WhatsApp video calls working, your last option is to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
Before you uninstall, make sure to backup your WhatsApp chats so you don’t lose your message history. Then go to your phone’s app settings and select Uninstall for WhatsApp. After uninstalling, restart your phone.
Then reinstall the latest version of WhatsApp from the app store and restore your chat history from backup after verifying your number. This will clear out any corrupted data that could be preventing calls from connecting.
Get in Touch with WhatsApp Support
If even after all the above troubleshooting, your WhatsApp video calls are still not working, you can get in touch with WhatsApp support for further help.
Contact options to reach WhatsApp support include:
- WhatsApp FAQ site
- WhatsApp Twitter support
- WhatsApp Facebook support page
- WhatsApp direct email support
WhatsApp support can investigate your specific issue in more detail and provide personalized troubleshooting assistance to restore your video call functionality.
Use Alternative Apps for Video Calling
If your WhatsApp video calls still don’t work even after contacting support, you can try using alternative apps for video calling in the meantime. Some popular options include:
| App | Platforms |
|---|---|
| FaceTime | iOS |
| Facebook Messenger | iOS, Android |
| Skype | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac |
| Google Duo | iOS, Android |
| Zoom | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac |
These alternative video calling apps can fill the gap while you try to resolve the issues with WhatsApp video. Just make sure the other person you want to call also has the same app installed.
Conclusion
WhatsApp video call not working can be frustrating, but in most cases it can be fixed by troubleshooting your internet connection, account settings, phone issues and also checking the caller’s setup. If the problem still persists, reach out to WhatsApp support or temporarily use alternative apps for video calling until the issues are resolved. With some diligent troubleshooting, you’ll hopefully be back to making WhatsApp video calls smoothly.