WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to make voice and video calls through the app. However, many users have reported issues of incoming WhatsApp calls not ringing on their phones.
Common reasons why WhatsApp calls don’t ring
There can be several reasons why your WhatsApp calls may not be ringing on incoming calls. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Do Not Disturb mode enabled – If you have enabled Do Not Disturb mode on your phone, you will not receive any notification sounds or ringing for incoming calls or messages. Make sure DND mode is disabled.
- Incorrect notification settings – Check your WhatsApp notification settings and make sure you have allowed notifications for incoming voice and video calls. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Notifications > Calls and enable “Allow Notifications”.
- Outdated WhatsApp version – Using an outdated version of WhatsApp can also cause calling issues. Make sure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp on your phone.
- Connectivity issues – Poor internet connection, weak WiFi signal, or cellular network issues can prevent WhatsApp call notifications and ringtones. Check your internet connectivity.
- Phone on silent/vibrate mode – If your phone’s ringer volume is turned off or it is set to vibrate mode, you will not hear incoming call ringtones. Change it to general or loud mode.
- Glitch/bug – Sometimes a minor glitch or bug in the app can cause this issue. Try force closing and restarting the app.
- Call forwarding enabled – If you have enabled call forwarding, your WhatsApp calls will get redirected without ringing. Disable call forwarding.
- Phone battery optimization – Battery optimization settings can block WhatsApp from running in the background and receiving calls properly. Add WhatsApp to the battery optimization whitelist.
How to fix WhatsApp calls not ringing issue
If your WhatsApp calls are not ringing on incoming calls, don’t worry – the issue can be easily fixed by trying these troubleshooting steps:
- Check Do Not Disturb mode – Go to your phone’s settings and make sure Do Not Disturb mode is turned off. This stops all incoming call & notification alerts.
- Update WhatsApp – Install the latest version of WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store. Updates often fix bugs.
- Check app notifications – Ensure you have allowed notifications for WhatsApp calls in the app settings. Enable “Allow Notifications”.
- Disconnect VPN/Proxy – VPNs and proxies can interfere with WhatsApp’s connection. Disconnect them and test if calls ring.
- Disable battery optimization – Go to phone settings and whitelist WhatsApp from battery optimization, sleep/standby modes.
- Reset network settings – Go to phone settings, find network settings option, and reset it. This refreshes network connections.
- Update phone software – Install any pending OS or firmware updates on your Android or iPhone. Software updates fix bugs.
- Clear app cache/data – Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Storage, and tap on Clear Cache or Clear Data options.
- Reinstall WhatsApp – As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. This eliminates any corrupt files.
- Contact WhatsApp support – If the issue persists even after trying the above steps, contact WhatsApp customer care for further help.
Settings to check on Android phones
For Android users facing no ringing issues on WhatsApp calls, make sure to check these phone and app settings:
- Ringer/notification volume – Turn volume up to hear ringtones for calls and notifications.
- Do Not Disturb – Disable DND mode under Sound/Notifications settings if enabled.
- Phone ringtone – Set a default ringtone to allow WhatsApp calls to ring loudly.
- WhatsApp notifications – Enable notifications for WhatsApp calls under App settings.
- Battery optimization – Whitelist WhatsApp under Battery settings so it runs in the background.
- App permissions – Ensure WhatsApp has necessary permissions like Phone, Microphone, Storage etc.
Settings to check on iPhones
For iPhone users, make sure you have configured these settings correctly:
- Mute switch – Make sure the mute switch on the side of iPhone is off.
- Do Not Disturb – Turn off DND in Settings if it’s interrupting WhatsApp call alerts.
- Notifications – Check WhatsApp notifications under Settings > Notifications and enable Allow Notifications.
- Sounds and Haptics – Set default ringtones and haptic feedback for calls and notifications.
- Background App Refresh – Enable background data for WhatsApp under Settings > General.
- Low Power Mode – Turn off Low Power mode as it limits background app activity.
Other tips and precautions
Additionally, follow these tips to prevent your WhatsApp calls from not ringing in the future:
- Update WhatsApp regularly to get the latest bug and security fixes.
- Reboot your phone occasionally to clear out performance issues.
- Do not install unsupported mods like GBWhatsApp as they can cause problems.
- Check for OS and firmware updates for your Android or iPhone and install them.
- Reset network settings on your phone if you face frequent network/calling issues.
- Clear WhatsApp cache and data from time to time to delete residual bugs.
- Turn on mobile data or connect to a stable WiFi network to avoid connectivity problems.
- Set notification sounds and assign a unique ringtone for WhatsApp calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions related to WhatsApp calls not ringing:
Why do my WhatsApp calls not ring when the phone is on silent mode?
If your phone is set to silent or vibrate mode, you will not hear any ringtones for incoming calls or notifications. Make sure your phone’s ringer volume is turned up and silent/vibrate mode is disabled.
How can I set a custom notification tone for WhatsApp calls?
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Notifications > Call Notifications > Notification Tone and select a custom ringtone or sound that will play for incoming WhatsApp calls.
I reinstalled WhatsApp but still no ringing for calls. What should I do?
If reinstalling WhatsApp did not fix the issue, it is likely a problem with your phone’s software or network connectivity. Try resetting network settings, updating your phone software, and checking for any hardware issues.
Can using a VPN cause issues with WhatsApp call ringing?
Yes, connecting to a VPN can sometimes interfere with WhatsApp call functionality. Try disconnecting from the VPN and check if WhatsApp calls ring normally without it.
Where can I find the setting to allow WhatsApp call notifications?
On Android: WhatsApp > Menu Button > Settings > Notifications > Calls > Allow Notifications
On iPhone: Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp > Allow Notifications
Conclusion
To summarize, common causes for WhatsApp calls not ringing include Do Not Disturb mode, incorrect app settings, outdated software, network issues, and phone mute modes. After following the troubleshooting steps outlined and checking all the recommended settings, your WhatsApp call notifications and ringing should work properly.
Ensuring your apps are updated, rebooting your device regularly, and maintaining optimal software and network connections can help avoid this problem in the future. Assign unique ringtones and notification tones so you never miss an important WhatsApp voice or video call again.
Additionally, using a mobile data connection instead of WiFi can also help if you face persistent connectivity or calling issues over your home or office wireless network. Contact WhatsApp support if the solutions do not work.
Reference Table
| Platform | Settings to Check |
|---|---|
| Android | Ringer volume, Do Not Disturb, Notification settings, App permissions, Battery optimization |
| iPhone | Mute switch, Do Not Disturb, Notifications, Background App Refresh, Low Power Mode |
Troubleshooting Checklist
| Issue | Fixes |
|---|---|
| No incoming call ringing | Disable DND mode, Increase ringer volume, Enable WhatsApp notifications |
| WhatsApp calls go directly to voicemail | Disable call forwarding, Check network coverage, Reboot your phone |
| Call disconnects after few rings | Clear app cache and data, Check for any software updates |
| Call rings but there is no audible ringtone | Set custom notification tones, Allow WhatsApp sounds in settings |