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My Whatsapp is not working - 15 Fixes [2024] 💥

Updated: July 4, 2024 | by: Martijn Assie, creating websites & shops since 20 years, also Linux-, Wordpress-,
Photoshop- and SEO expert. | NL DE

My Whatsapp is not working


Whatsapp is the most popular online chat platform worldwide, with more that 2 billion users each month. If your Whatsapp is not working you just have a rahter big problem nowadays. What do you do? Here are some tips for your Android and/or iOS device.


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Index of Solutions

1. Verify Your Internet Connection

Check if your internet is working. Test other apps and websites to see if they're running fine. If they are, then your internet connection is likely okay. If nothing else works, your internet connection might be the problem. If you're using Wi-Fi, check your router and try rebooting it. If you use a VPN, try turning it off to see if that fixes the issue.

2. Is WhatsApp Down?

Sometimes it's not your phone's fault—WhatsApp might be having issues. Check if other apps or websites are working. If they are, the problem might be with WhatsApp. Visit WhatsApp's Twitter or Down-Detector to see if there's a known outage. If WhatsApp is down, you'll need to wait for them to fix it.

3. Restart Your WhatsApp

Sometimes, restarting the app can fix minor issues. Make sure to fully close the app instead of just pressing the home button. Open your phone's multitasking screen, swipe away WhatsApp to close it, and then reopen the app to see if it works better.

4. Reboot Your Mobile Phone

Turning your phone off and on can solve many problems. This works for both iPhones and Android devices. Most people know how to do this, so detailed instructions aren't needed. Simply press and hold the power button, select "Restart" or "Reboot," and wait for your phone to power back on.

5. Update Your WhatsApp App

Keeping WhatsApp updated is important for smooth operation and security. If you're not sure how to update it, check out this guide on updating WhatsApp.

For Android
  1. Open the Google Play Store.
  2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
  3. Select "Manage apps and device".
  4. Click on "Available updates".
  5. Choose "Update All" or find WhatsApp and select "Update".
For iOS
  1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
  2. Tap your profile picture.
  3. Scroll down to the Updates section and tap "Update" next to WhatsApp Messenger.
  4. Wait for the update to install.

6. Adjust Your Phone's Date and Time

For Android

If your phone's date and time are wrong, WhatsApp might not work properly. Modern phones sync time automatically, but if this option is off, set the date and time manually under Settings > System > Date and Time.

For iPhone

To adjust the date and time on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Date & Time. Turn off the automatic setting and set the date and time manually. Your iPhone will save any changes automatically.

7. Clear WhatsApp's Cache

Clearing the app's cache can fix various problems. This removes temporary data, and in some cases, you might need to clear all data to reset the app. Here's how:

Clear WhatsApp Cache on Android
  • Open the "Settings" app.
  • Go to "Apps".
  • Select "WhatsApp".
  • Tap on "Storage and cache".
  • Choose "Clear Cache".
  • You can also select "Clear storage" for a full reset.
Clear WhatsApp Cache on iPhone
  1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage".
  2. Select "WhatsApp", then tap "Offload App" or "Delete App".
  3. Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.

8. Check WhatsApp Permissions

If WhatsApp doesn't have the permissions it needs, it might not work properly. Here's how to check and adjust permissions:

For Android
  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to "Apps".
  3. Select "WhatsApp".
  4. Tap on "Permissions".
  5. Make sure all necessary permissions are granted.
For iPhone

Go to Settings, scroll down to find WhatsApp, and tap on it to see the permissions. Toggle the switches to enable the necessary permissions.

9. Is There Sufficient Storage Available?

For Android

If your device's storage is full, WhatsApp may have trouble downloading content. Free up some space and manage WhatsApp's storage under Settings > Data and Storage > Manage storage.

For iPhone
  1. Go to Settings > General > [Device] Storage.
  2. See recommendations for optimizing your device's storage.
  3. Tap on an app to see its storage details.
  4. Offload the app, delete it, or manage its data.

10. Activate Background Data

For Android
  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to "Apps".
  3. Select "WhatsApp".
  4. Tap on "Mobile data & Wi-Fi".
  5. Turn on "Background data".
  6. Enable "Unrestricted usage" if needed.
For iPhone
  1. Go to Settings > General.
  2. Select "Background App Refresh".
  3. Toggle the switch for WhatsApp.
  4. Enable background refresh for all apps if necessary.

11. Install the Official WhatsApp App

If you're using an unofficial version of WhatsApp, switch to the official app. Unapproved versions can lead to temporary blocks or app malfunctions. Continued use might result in a permanent ban, and they may contain malware.

12. Is Your Account Blocked?

If you can't contact certain people on WhatsApp but the rest of the app works, they might have blocked you. Signs include not seeing their online status, last seen, profile photo, or receiving messages from them.

13. Was Your Account Deleted?

If you haven't used WhatsApp for 120 days, your account may have been deleted. You'll need to create a new one if this happens.

14. Check Battery Optimization Settings

Battery optimization settings can sometimes interfere with how WhatsApp functions, particularly in saving background data. Follow these steps to check and adjust these settings:

For Android
  1. Open the "Settings" app on your device.
  2. Navigate to "Battery" or "Battery Optimization".
  3. Select "Apps" and find WhatsApp in the list.
  4. Choose "Don't optimize" or "Allow background activity" to ensure WhatsApp runs smoothly.
For iPhone

iPhones manage battery optimization differently, but you can still check the background activity:

  1. Open "Settings" on your iPhone.
  2. Go to "Battery".
  3. Check "Battery Health" and ensure it is in good condition. While iOS doesn't allow specific app optimization settings, ensuring a healthy battery helps overall performance.

15. Enable Mobile Data

If you are using WhatsApp on the go, ensure that mobile data is enabled and working properly:

For Android
  1. Open the "Settings" app on your device.
  2. Navigate to "Network & Internet" or "Connections".
  3. Select "Mobile Network" or "Data Usage".
  4. Ensure that "Mobile Data" is toggled on.
  5. Also, make sure that WhatsApp is allowed to use mobile data by going to "Apps" > "WhatsApp" > "Data usage" and toggling on "Background data".
For iPhone
  1. Open "Settings" on your iPhone.
  2. Go to "Cellular".
  3. Ensure that "Cellular Data" is enabled.
  4. Scroll down to find WhatsApp and make sure it is toggled on under "Use Cellular Data For".

WhatsApp Security Tips

Tip Description
Enable Two-Step Verification Add an extra layer of security by enabling two-step verification in WhatsApp settings. This helps protect your account from unauthorized access.
Check Linked Devices Regularly review and remove any unfamiliar devices linked to your WhatsApp account to ensure your account's security.
Update Privacy Settings Adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your profile picture, status, and last seen. This helps maintain your privacy.
Be Cautious with Unknown Contacts Avoid accepting messages or calls from unknown contacts. Block and report any suspicious accounts to WhatsApp.
Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links Phishing scams can be disguised as legitimate messages. Avoid clicking on any links from unknown sources.

Common WhatsApp Error Codes

Error Code Description Solution
500 Internal server error Wait and try again later. This is usually a server-side issue.
403 Forbidden access Check if you have the necessary permissions and whether your IP has been blocked.
429 Too many requests Reduce the frequency of your actions and wait before trying again.
404 Not found Check if the URL or resource you're trying to access is correct.
401 Unauthorized access Ensure your login credentials are correct and try logging in again.

Outro

We hope these tips and solutions help you troubleshoot and resolve any issues you're having with WhatsApp. Keeping your app updated and following best practices for security can prevent many common problems. If you're still facing difficulties, don't hesitate to reach out to WhatsApp support for further assistance. Remember, staying informed and proactive is key to enjoying a smooth and secure messaging experience.



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