As you know, any computer equipment and any software can fail and error and work incorrectly. Unfortunately, WhatsApp messenger is no exception. However, we must pay tribute to the developers, this happens extremely rarely.
If you nevertheless had to face such an unpleasant situation as a problem with logging into the application, do not rush to get upset and panic. Most likely, solving it will only take a few minutes of your time.
Check if WhatsApp is working
We always blame our devices when something doesn't work, but perhaps the problem is not local. The reason why WhatsApp is not working may be because the WhatsApp service is not working.
The easiest way to find out if the problem is with WhatsApp itself is to try using any other application or browser. If everything else works, the problem is most likely with the WhatsApp servers. You can also use online tools such as the Down Detector website. This service will notify you if there are problems with WhatsApp itself. If WhatsApp is down, all you can do is wait for the service to be restored.
Disabling VPN
Most Internet users today use VPN when visiting Internet resources. Even professional programmers recommend using encryption to avoid data theft, surveillance and protect devices from hacker attacks. In addition, a VPN allows you to access those sites that are blocked in your country or region. But encryption also has its downsides. The VPN system often causes sites or services to become unavailable. This also applies to WhatsApp.
Using a VPN prevents you from connecting to a Wi-Fi network. But it's easy to check. You need to turn off the VPN and try to open the messenger again. If everything works, then there is a problem with the VPN. The situation often occurs in Belarus, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries. By the way, it is not necessary to stop using VPN encryption; changing your provider often helps. By the way, often because of the VPN, one of the messenger functions suffers, for example, a voice message in WhatsApp does not work, the user cannot make a call or send a message, while some of the functions work properly.
Check for updates
While running older apps often doesn't cause problems, sometimes services also change things on the server side, deeming certain features useless. You'll want to make sure you're using the latest version of the app, so head to the Google Play Store and check for updates.
While you're at it, you can also check if any updates are available for your phone. Check out the instructions below to learn how to update your Android phone.
How to check for Android updates:
- Open the Settings .
- Log in to the System .
- Click System Update .
- Select Check for updates .
- The system will tell you if anything is available for your phone. Follow instructions.
Method 2: Messenger update
Often, difficulties with logging into the messenger are due to the fact that it has not been updated for a long time. In this case, you need to update it manually by following these steps:
- Open the Google Play or App Store.
- Type WhatsApp in the search field.
- In the issuing list, tap the line with the messenger and go to its page.
- Tap the update button and wait for the procedure to complete.
If your Honor or Huawei smartphone does not have Google Play, you can update the application manually. To do this, you need to download the WhatsApp APP file from the official website whatsapp.com and run it on your smartphone.
Check your internet connection
If there are no messages about WhatsApp problems, you have a problem. To fix this, the first thing to do is check your internet connection. First turn off Wi-Fi and then turn it on again, check if that helps. Bad luck? Try visiting any website on the Internet or playing a YouTube video to see if you have connection problems.
Those using Wi-Fi or a local network can check the router and see if it is connected to the Internet. It will help if you also reboot your router. Also, those of you who use a VPN may want to try disabling it to see if that solves the problem.
If you are using mobile internet, check if your data connection is turned on:
- Open the Settings .
- Go to the Network and Internet .
- Genie in SIM cards .
- Turn on Mobile Data .
- If you are outside your country or network coverage area, please enable roaming (additional charges may apply).
Method 3: Ensure a stable Internet connection
Sometimes the reason for problems with the operation of the messenger is trivial - there is simply no stable Internet connection. As a rule, the situation occurs when connecting to the mobile Internet. Poor connection quality is indicated by a low coverage level displayed on the indicator. The problem may arise in the subway or when driving outside the city.
If the problem occurs at home with an active Wi-Fi connection, make sure that the Internet speed is normal. To do this, go to any speed test service, which can be found by searching “Check Internet speed”. If the speed fluctuates greatly or the indicator is less than 1-2 Mbit/sec, then the problem is on the provider’s side. In this case, temporarily connect to the mobile Internet.
Force stop and clear cache
If WhatsApp is still not working, forcing it to stop and clearing your smartphone's cache may help. Force stopping in kills the Linux process for the application, and clearing the cache gets rid of temporary files stored in the application.
If you want to dive deeper into the processes of force stopping and clearing cache, we have a dedicated post on the topic.
Clear cache on Android:
- Open the Settings .
- Go to Applications .
- Find the WhatsApp app under View all apps .
- Click " Storage & Cache ".
- Click Clear cache .
- You can also select Clear storage for a clean start.
Old version
Let's move on - the second reason why WhatsApp does not work on the phone lies in the outdated version of the messenger. You can fix problems in a few minutes - just download the latest update from the Google Play Store or Ep Store (depending on the smartphone’s operating system).
Let us remind you why WhatsApp does not work on your phone - sometimes the reason lies not in the old version of the application, but in the lack of updates for the operating system! Yes, it is necessary to update the axis periodically - you can find the corresponding button in the device settings.
Important! We recommend downloading new versions of the messenger in a timely manner - this simple action allows you to gain access to all new functions, strengthen data security and improve interaction.
Allow all application permissions
Many problems can arise because WhatsApp has not provided the necessary permissions to access important information. For example, WhatsApp may not receive your contacts if you accidentally deny permission to your phone's contacts. You may also have turned off background data.
How to change app permission settings:
- Open the Settings .
- Go to Apps and notifications .
- Find the WhatsApp under All Apps .
- Select Permissions .
- Be sure to allow access to everything.
Can't log into WhatsApp
As you know, any computer equipment and any software can fail and error and work incorrectly.
Unfortunately, WhatsApp messenger is no exception. However, we must pay tribute to the developers, this happens extremely rarely. If you nevertheless had to face such an unpleasant situation as a problem with logging into the application, do not rush to get upset and panic. Most likely, solving it will only take a few minutes of your time.
WhatsApp deleted your account?
Have you stopped using WhatsApp for a long time? If this is the case, there is a chance that WhatsApp is not working simply because your account has been deleted. The service deletes accounts after 120 days of inactivity. The WhatsApp account is active as long as there is an Internet connection. In this case, the only solution is to create a new WhatsApp account.
Understand possible causes
If WhatsApp is not working on your Android phone, first check whether the problem is on your end or on WhatApp. You can do this by visiting one of the websites that tell you if WhatsApp is down and in which countries. You can check out some of these sites using the links below:
- Is The Service Down?
- Outage Report
- Is it Down Right Now?
- Downdetector
If one (or all) websites claim that the service is not available in your country, there is nothing you can do except wait for WhatsApp to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, outages are common for WhatsApp, as well as other popular services including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
Make sure you have enough space
Sometimes WhatsApp may have problems loading content when your phone runs out of memory. The first thing to try is to clear space on your Android device. Alternatively, you can open WhatsApp and tap the three dot menu button. Then go to Settings > Storage & Data > Manage Storage . Then go to View and remove items . Check the contents and remove what you consider unnecessary.
Related : How to Backup WhatsApp
Method 1: Restart the application
The first thing you need to start with is restarting the application. As a rule, it is enough to go to the menu of all open applications and swipe away the WhatsApp window. If this does not help, you need to stop the messenger as follows:
- Go to the settings on your smartphone and go to the Applications section.
- Tap on the line All applications or Installed.
- Find the WhatsApp line in the list that opens and tap on it.
- Tap the Stop button.
Make sure background data is enabled!
If WhatsApp is not sending you message notifications properly, there is a chance that you have accidentally turned off background data. This can be easily fixed in the settings.
How to enable background data:
- Open the Settings .
- Go to Apps and notifications .
- Find the WhatsApp under All Apps .
- Go to Mobile data and Wi-Fi .
- In the application settings, enable Background data .
- You can also enable Unlimited data usage . This gives the application full access to data even in data saving mode.
Here are 10 steps you should take if you are having problems with WhatsApp. Hopefully one of them solved the problem. If you have any other life hacks for WhatsApp, share them in the comments!
Next : How to clear the cache in any browser on any...
Reinstallation
Finally, the last resort is to completely remove WhatsApp and reinstall it. However, before doing this, do not forget to save the correspondence, otherwise all data may be lost. This function is located in the WhatsApp menu “Settings - Chats - Backup”
After reinstalling the program, all chats can be restored from a previously created backup copy, and you will receive an updated WhatsApp application that does not slow down and works correctly.
Can't install
To avoid the problem of WhatsApp not working, you can install the messenger only from reliable sources - this is the official website of the developer or the Google Play Market and Ep Store software stores.
If you are trying to download a program from a third-party source, you should not do this, cancel the action and remove the software right now! Difficulties during installation may also arise for the following reasons:
- Poor internet connection. You can try rebooting the device, putting it into airplane mode, or connecting to a different network;
- There is not enough RAM. Just close programs not currently in use;
- There is not enough space on the device. You need to remove unnecessary files or applications;
- Conflict between the messenger and the operating system. Open your device settings and see if it's time to download a firmware update?
So the first answer to the question of why WhatsApp doesn’t work is ready. The next step is to explain other possible difficulties and find a solution - let's get started?
What to do if the chat icon disappears?
In many cases, for ease of communication, people add chat icons to their desktop; when clicked, they automatically open the desired dialogue in the messenger. But what to do if an important icon disappears? In this case, you can add it again by following the steps in the step-by-step guide:
- Open WhatsApp.
- We find the desired chat and hold it until additional tools appear at the top.
Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen - Click on the three dots, then select “Add chat icon to screen.”
Select “Add chat icon to screen” - We confirm the action and check the presence of the selected dialog on the device desktop.
For convenience, you can even create a separate folder, placing only the most important chats there. As a result, it will turn out that to go to the conversation you will just need to click on the desired icon, and you won’t have to open the messenger manually at all.
I don't receive a confirmation code
To successfully register in the system, you must enter a confirmation code - it is sent to the specified mobile phone via SMS message. Some users ask why WhatsApp doesn’t work, where did the coveted message go?
We recommend that you carefully check the following parameters:
- The Internet connection is stable, the communication quality is at the highest level;
- You have selected the correct country format and entered your mobile phone number without errors;
- There are enough funds on your SIM card and it has not been blocked;
- Another profile was not registered for the specified phone number (or was registered, but was deleted!)
What to do if WhatsApp still doesn’t work, even though you have carefully gone through the above list? After a few minutes, you can request the code again - for sure, this time you will receive the desired SMS message and will be able to complete the registration or authorization process.
Shall we move on? But let us immediately note: if you are trying to understand why WhatsApp is not working now, it is most likely due to technical problems. Short-term disruptions occur periodically, and no one is immune from this. Just wait, everything will get better in a short period of time.
Clearing cache
What to do if WhatsApp on your phone does not work, and you have tried all the methods described above? It would be a good idea to clear the cache - perhaps the storage is full and is blocking attempts to open the program.
- Open the device settings;
- Go to the applications folder and look for “Clean”;
- Click “Clear cache” and wait for the procedure to complete automatically.
This instruction is intended for owners of Android devices (such problems do not arise on iPhones).
Reboot your phone
It is considered the simplest and most universal method. If you have not previously observed any difficulties in the operation of the utility, it is worth checking the program manager and clearing it of software that the client is not currently using. This allows you to reduce the load on the processor and also relieve memory. Then reboot the device and run the program again.
Doesn't work over Wi-Fi
As with mobile Internet, you first need to check whether there is a connection at all. If there is no Internet, reboot the router and, preferably, the phone itself. If necessary, repeat the reboot. If all attempts are unsuccessful, you need to find out whether the router is configured correctly.
Why doesn't WhatsApp work over a wireless connection? Typically, for WhatsApp to work, the router must have permission for Soket and Web connections. You can set it up yourself, but it is better to ask specialists from the provider company for help by calling the hotline.
Like the operator, the provider can block some instant messengers. In this case, you should contact the provider’s service center and find out if WhatsApp is being blocked.
If you are not at home and use a public access point, then the problem cannot be solved. All that remains is to switch to the mobile network or wait until you get home to your Internet.