WhatsApp avatars are a fun new way to express yourself on WhatsApp chats. You can create a personalized avatar that resembles you and use it as your profile picture, stickers in chats, and during WhatsApp calls. However, sometimes users face issues with WhatsApp avatars not showing up properly. In this article, we will dive into the reasons why WhatsApp avatar stickers may not be visible and explore ways to fix this problem.
Possible Reasons Behind WhatsApp Avatar Stickers Not Showing
There could be several reasons why your WhatsApp avatar stickers are not showing properly:
Outdated WhatsApp Version
To use WhatsApp avatars, you need to be on the latest version of WhatsApp. If your WhatsApp is outdated, the avatar stickers will not show up. Make sure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp by checking for updates on the Play Store or App Store. The latest WhatsApp version that supports avatars currently is 2.22.23.77.
Avatars Not Enabled on Your Account
WhatsApp rolls out new features gradually to users. It’s possible avatars are not enabled for your account yet. Try enabling it manually by going into WhatsApp Settings > Avatar > Create Your Avatar. If you are still unable to create an avatar here, the feature is not active on your account yet.
Poor Internet Connection
To load avatar stickers, you need a stable internet connection. Slow/unreliable connections can prevent avatar stickers from loading properly in chats. Check your internet speed and try chatting when connectivity improves to see if that fixes it.
App Permissions Not Enabled
WhatsApp needs certain app permissions to access your photos and camera to generate avatar stickers. If you have denied these permissions, WhatsApp cannot process avatar creation or display avatar stickers.
Glitch/Bug
Sometimes a minor glitch or bug in the app can also cause WhatsApp avatars to not show up correctly. For instance, others can see your avatar but you cannot, or vice versa. Generally restarting the app fixes transient glitches.
Account Restrictions
In rare cases, there may be restrictions on your account that prevent avatar sticker usage. This can happen if you violated WhatsApp policies in the past. Try creating a new account and checking if avatars work correctly on the new account.
How to Fix WhatsApp Avatar Stickers Not Showing
If you are facing sticker visibility issues, here are some steps to try and resolve it:
Update to Latest Version of WhatsApp
As mentioned earlier, you need to be on the latest WhatsApp version to use avatars. To update:
- On Android, go to Play Store > Tap Update next to WhatsApp.
- On iPhone, go to App Store > Tap Update next to WhatsApp.
Updating to the latest version will enable avatars if the feature was not previously available.
Force Stop and Clear Cache
Minor glitches can sometimes be fixed by force stopping WhatsApp and clearing its cache:
- Go to phone settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Force Stop
- In app info, clear WhatsApp cache and data
- Restart WhatsApp and check if avatar stickers show up
This refresh often resolves temporary bugs that affect avatar visibility.
Revoke and Re-Enable App Permissions
Check that WhatsApp has permission to access your camera and photos. To edit app permissions:
- Go to phone settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions
- Disable and re-enable Camera and Photos access for WhatsApp
With correct permissions, WhatsApp can generate avatar stickers from your photos.
Verify Avatar Creation Steps
Carefully go through the avatar creation process again to check for any missed steps:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Avatar > Create Your Avatar
- Confirm WhatsApp has permission to access your camera and photos
- Tap Get Started and follow on-screen instructions to create avatar
- Tap Done after reviewing your avatar
- Your avatar should now show up across WhatsApp
If any issues persist, try uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp to force a clean slate.
Contact WhatsApp Support
In rare cases where avatars still do not work even after trying all troubleshooting steps, your best option is to directly contact WhatsApp support. Explain your issue to them in detail and they can further investigate based on your account.
Tips to Avoid WhatsApp Avatar Issues
Here are some tips to avoid any avatar-related problems on WhatsApp:
- Always keep WhatsApp updated to latest version
- Use WhatsApp on stable wi-fi or cellular data
- Grant required app permissions when prompted
- Stick to official avatars from WhatsApp
- Avoid unknown third-party mods that tamper with WhatsApp
- Report bugs to WhatsApp support for investigation
Following these best practices will minimize the chances of your avatar stickers not displaying correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions related to issues with WhatsApp avatar stickers:
Why are my custom WhatsApp stickers not showing?
Apart from official avatar stickers, any third-party or custom stickers need to be added to WhatsApp before they can be used. Open WhatsApp > Tap on stickers icon > Tap ‘+’ > Add custom sticker pack. After adding the pack, the stickers will appear.
Can I revert to my old WhatsApp profile photo?
Yes, you can revert to using your old profile photo instead of the avatar. Go to Settings > Profile Photo > Remove photo to remove your avatar. You can then add any photo of your choice as the profile picture.
I reinstalled WhatsApp but avatars still don’t work. What should I do?
In rare cases, there may be deeper issues specific to your account that prevent avatars from working. Your best option is to directly contact WhatsApp support for troubleshooting advice tailored to your account.
Why does my friend see my avatar but I cannot see theirs?
This is likely because WhatsApp has not enabled avatars universally yet. The feature rolls out gradually. Just ask your friend to update WhatsApp to latest version and the issue should resolve.
Can I use my Bitmoji as WhatsApp avatar?
WhatsApp currently does not support importing or syncing avatars from Bitmoji or other apps. You have to create your avatar directly within WhatsApp for it to work. Third-party avatar apps may be supported in the future.
Conclusion
WhatsApp avatars are an exciting new way to express yourself more personally on chats. However, glitches can sometimes cause avatar stickers to not show up properly. By updating WhatsApp, adjusting app permissions, troubleshooting diligently and contacting support if needed, you can resolve avatar visibility issues. With the right tips and fixes, you’ll be able to enjoy personalizing chats with your own unique avatar.