Whatsapp is one of the most popular messaging apps these days. So much so that it has become synonymous with messaging itself. However, just like everything tech, there are a few hiccups now and then.
In this article, we’re looking at why your Whatsapp may not be working and the steps you can take to resolve the situation.
Why is your WhatsApp not working?
There could be a bunch of reasons why Whatsapp might bail on your all of a sudden. Some of the most popular ones are as follows.
- Whatsapp may be down.
- You might be facing internet connectivity issues.
- Outdated app version.
- Your account might’ve been disabled for inactivity.
Also read: How to create a WhatsApp link?
16 ways to fix the WhatsApp not working issue
Here are 16 simple solutions you can take to fix the problem.
Check if Whatsapp is down
The first thing you should do is check if Whatsapp is facing an outage. The app won’t work if there’s an issue at Whatsapp’s end. You can use services such as Downdetector to see if there’s a problem at the server end.
Reopen the app
Sometimes, restarting the app might be all you need to fix the problem. Just make sure you clear it from the list of recently opened apps so that it isn’t running in the background, and then try starting the app again. That should solve your problem.
Update the app
Whatsapp keeps pushing out frequent updates to fix bugs and add new features. If your version is a bit too old, it might just be deprecated and no longer functional. Try updating the app to see if that fixes your issue.
Check your internet
Whatsapp needs an active internet connection to function. If your messages aren’t being sent, check to see if your internet is functioning. If you’re using WiFi, ensure that you have an active network connection. If you’re on mobile data, make sure that it’s enabled and that you have good network coverage.
Restart your phone
Another quick tip is to restart your phone. Restarting devices can fix several randomly occurring problems like magic.
Is your Whatsapp account still active?
If you’re returning to Whatsapp after a very long time, there’s a chance that your account has been deleted. Whatsapp deletes accounts after 120 days of inactivity. On the app, activity means Whatsapp has an internet connection. If this is the case with you, you’re going to have to create a new Whatsapp account.
Do you have storage?
Another thing that might be causing issues is low storage on your phone. Whatsapp might be running out of space when downloading content simply because your phone doesn’t have space anymore. Try removing some unnecessary files or apps from your phone and try again.
Clear the app cache
Clearing Whatsapp’s cache from your phone can also help solve the issue as it forces the app to regenerate any corrupt files it might be working with, which could’ve caused the problem in the first place.
- Open your phone’s settings and head over to Apps & notifications.
- Tap See all apps.
- Find Whatsapp in the list.
- Tap Storage & cache.
- Tap the Clear storage and Clear cache buttons to remove all data.
Restart your phone, and you should be good to go.
Also read: How to view Facebook stories anonymously?
Allow App permissions
Making sure Whatsapp has all the permissions it needs to function is also a good idea at this point,
- Open your phone’s settings and tap Apps.
- Tap See all apps.
- Find Whatsapp in the list.
- Tap Permissions.
- Make sure Whatsapp has all the permissions it needs.
Now restart your phone and give it another shot.
Enable background data
If background data is disabled, Whatsapp won’t work unless you actively open the app. Here’s how you can do this.
- Open your phone’s settings and tap Apps.
- Tap See all apps.
- Find Whatsapp in the list.
- Tap Mobile data and WiFi.
- Make sure that the Background data slider is enabled.
Now try restarting Whatsapp, and it should work just fine.
Also read: Whatsapp font tips and tricks
Why is Whatsapp not working on PC?
Follow these steps if you’re having issues with Whatsapp not working on your PC.
Restart Whatsapp
You should first close Whatsapp completely from the Task Manager and try opening the app again. All you have to do is head into the Processes tab in the Task Manager and close all Whatsapp processes that you see. Once they’re all closed, open the app again.
Check your internet
Once again, Whatsapp requires a proper active internet connection to work. Check to see if your internet is working fine and that you can access it from the browser. If that’s not the case, try switching networks or rebooting your router.
Make sure your phone and PC are on the same WiFi
As the heading states, having your phone and computer on the same network is an essential part of getting Whatsapp running smoothly on your PC. This is a limitation in Whatsapp’s multi-device feature, which is currently in beta.
Repair the app
Repairing the Whatsapp app on PC can also help resolve the issue.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + I to head over into settings. Now click on the Apps tab.
Step 2: Now click Apps & Features.
Step 3: Now search for Whatsapp in the list, click the three vertical dots next to it and select Advanced options.
Step 4: Scroll down to find the Repair button and click it to fix any problems with the app. If that doesn’t solve your problem, you can go ahead and click the Reset button instead to thoroughly purge the app of any data files that might be causing the issue.
Reinstall Whatsapp
Like on phones, reinstalling Whatsapp on your PC can also solve the problem. Just remove the app from your computer and head to the Microsoft Store to download the latest build.
Use Whatsapp web
If nothing else works, try using Whatsapp web in your browser instead. This is the easiest way you can get access to Whatsapp on your PC; however, it does depend on your phone and PC having an active internet connection.
Also read: What does IMR mean?
