My Whatsapp is not working - 13 Fixes [2024] 💥

Updated: April 8, 2024 | by: Martijn Assie, creating websites & shops since 20 years, also Linux-, Wordpress-,
Photoshop- and SEO expert. | NL DE

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.

1. Verify Your Internet Connection

Your internet connection might be the issue. Test other applications and your web browser to confirm they're operational. If they are, your internet connection is likely fine. If everything else fails, your internet connection might be at fault. Those using Wi-Fi/LAN should check their router's connectivity. Consider rebooting your router. VPN users may want to temporarily disable their VPN service to see if it resolves the issue.

2. Is WhatsApp Down?

When something malfunctions, we often blame our devices. However, the issue might not be that straightforward. WhatsApp could be down. Test other applications or browsers to see if the issue is isolated to WhatsApp. Check their Twitter account for any announcements about service disruptions. If all other applications work fine, the issue might lie with WhatsApp's servers. Services like Down-Detector can also inform you if WhatsApp is experiencing difficulties. If WhatsApp is down, you'll need to wait for the service to be restored.

3. Restart Your WhatsApp

Restarting WhatsApp can resolve many minor issues. To do this, you need to fully close the app. Simply pressing the home button or exiting the app won't suffice. Open your phone's multitasking screen and swipe away WhatsApp to close it. Then, reopen the app to see if the problem is fixed. If it works, you're all set.

4. Reboot Your Mobile Phone

This applies to both iPhone and Android devices. Most users are familiar with how to power off and on their mobile phone, tablet, or iPad, so detailed instructions are unnecessary here.

5. Update Your WhatsApp App

Updating WhatsApp is essential not just for smooth operation but also to prevent potential security vulnerabilities. Check out our guide on how to update WhatsApp for detailed instructions.

For Android

While older apps may function adequately, some services might phase out certain features. To ensure you're using the latest version of the app, visit the Google Play Store to check for updates.

How to Check for Updates in the Google Play Store

Open the Google Play Store.
Tap the "profile icon" in the top right corner.
Select "Manage apps and device".
Click on the "Available updates" button.
Choose "Update All" or search for WhatsApp and select "Update".

For iOS

Updating WhatsApp on an iPhone is straightforward. Follow these steps. If there are no updates, WhatsApp will be listed under "Updated Recently" with a prompt to open it, indicating you're up to date.

Open the App Store on your iPhone.
Tap your profile picture.
Scroll down to the Updates section and tap "Update" next to WhatsApp Messenger.
Wait for the update to install.

6. Adjust Your Phone's Date and Time

For Android

If your phone or tablet's date and time are incorrect, you may be unable to download or access media in WhatsApp chats. Modern operating systems sync time and date using an internet-based server. If this option is unavailable on your device, correct the date and time to ensure WhatsApp functions properly. Android users can set the time manually or choose the automatic option under Settings > System > Date and Time.

For iPhone

To adjust the date and time on your iPhone, open the Settings app and navigate to "General" > "Date & Time." Here, you can switch off the automatic setting and manually set the date and time. Your iPhone will automatically save any changes you make.

7. Clear WhatsApp's Cache

Clearing WhatsApp's cache and data can resolve various issues. The former removes temporary data, while the latter deletes all data, including settings. Both actions can help if data or settings become corrupted or if bugs are causing problems. Clearing all data effectively resets the app, allowing for a fresh start.

Clear WhatsApp Cache on Android

Open the "Settings" app.
Navigate to "Apps."
Select "WhatsApp" from the "See all Apps" section.
Tap on "Storage and cache."
Choose "Clear Cache."
"Clear storage" is also available for a complete reset.

Clear WhatsApp Cache on iPhone (Older than iOS 11)

Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Storage & iCloud Usage."
Under the Storage section, tap "Manage Storage."
Find and tap "WhatsApp," then choose "Delete App."
Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store for a clean installation.

Clear WhatsApp Cache on iPhone (iOS 11 and Newer)

Navigate to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage."
Select "WhatsApp," then tap "Offload App" or "Delete App" as needed.
Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.

Clear Firefox Cache on Windows

Open Firefox and click the three-line menu button in the top-right corner to access Settings.
Go to "Privacy & Security" and scroll down to "Cookies & Site Data."
Click "Clear Data" and select "Cached Web Content" to clear.
You can also clear the cache by selecting "History" > "Clear Recent History" and choosing the appropriate options.

Clear Chrome Cache on Windows

Open Chrome and click the three dots in the top-right corner.
Go to "Settings" > "Security and Privacy" > "Clear browsing data."
Select the items you want to delete and choose "All time" for the time range.
Click "Clear data" to complete the process.

8. Check WhatsApp Permissions

Not granting WhatsApp the necessary permissions to access critical information can lead to various issues. For instance, WhatsApp may not be able to access your contacts if you've accidentally denied the required permissions. Additionally, background data usage might be restricted.

Adjusting App Permission Settings on Android

Open the Settings app on your device.
Navigate to Apps.
Find WhatsApp in the list of apps and select it.
Tap on Permissions.
Ensure all necessary permissions are granted, especially those previously denied.

Adjusting App Permission Settings on iPhone

You can view and toggle the permissions for individual apps on your iPhone. To do this, open the Settings app and scroll down to find WhatsApp. Tap on it to see the permissions it requires, and you can enable or disable specific permissions as needed.

9. Is There Sufficient Storage Available?

For Android

WhatsApp may encounter issues downloading content if your device's storage is low. Start by freeing up some space on your Android phone. Additionally, you can manage WhatsApp's storage usage by going to Settings > Data and Storage > Manage storage within the app and removing any unnecessary data.

For iPhone

Go to Settings > General > [Device] Storage. You may see a list of recommendations for optimizing your device's storage, followed by a list of installed apps and their storage usage.
Tap on an app to see more details about its storage usage. Note that temporary and cached data might not be included in the usage.

In this view, you can:

Offload the app to free up space while keeping its data and documents.
Delete the app entirely, along with all its associated data.
Depending on the app's settings, delete specific documents or data.

If your device is almost full and you're unable to free up space, you might receive a "Storage Almost Full" notification. This alert suggests that you need to offload less-used content, such as videos and apps, to make room for essential data.

10. Activate Background Data

For Android

WhatsApp may not be delivering messages correctly if background data is disabled. This can be rectified in the settings:

Enabling Background Data:

Open the Settings app.
Navigate to Apps.
Find WhatsApp in the list of apps.
Select Mobile data & Wi-Fi.
Turn on Background data.
Additionally, you can enable Unrestricted usage to allow the app to use data even in Data Saver mode.

For iPhone

Background app refresh can be managed similarly on iPhone, either individually for apps or globally for the device.

To enable background app refresh for specific apps on iPhone:

Go to Settings > General.
Select Background App Refresh and toggle the switch for desired apps.

To enable background app refresh for all apps on iPhone:

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Select Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi & Mobile Data to allow continuous app refresh.

11. Install the Official WhatsApp App

If you're using an unofficial version of WhatsApp, it's time to switch to the official app. WhatsApp has been clamping down on unauthorized clients, which can lead to temporary blocks or the app malfunctioning.

Continued use of an unapproved version may result in a permanent ban. It's advisable to steer clear of unofficial app versions, as they may contain malware or other harmful components.

12. Is Your Account Blocked?

If you're having trouble contacting specific people on WhatsApp but the rest of the app functions correctly, those contacts might have blocked you. WhatsApp does not explicitly notify you of being blocked, but certain signs can indicate this, such as the inability to see the contact's online status, last seen, profile photo, or receive messages from them.

13. Was Your Account Deleted?

Experiencing issues with WhatsApp? Your account may have been deleted due to 120 days of inactivity. A WhatsApp account remains active as long as it's connected to the internet. If your account was deleted, you'll need to create a new one.