WhatsApp troubleshooting guides
Troubleshooting guides for WhatsApp.
New and recently updated
App errors & performance
Crashing, freezing, blank screens, "something went wrong" and outages.
- WhatsApp Accessibility: Screen Readers, Text Size, Contrast and Switch Control Screen readers on every device, changing text size, why large text hides profile photos, color and contrast settings, zoom, and Switch Access or Switch Control.
- WhatsApp Backup or Restore Not Working? Stuck Backups, Missing Chats and Errors What not to do if chats are missing, restores still in progress, stuck backups, error messages, Google Account and iCloud fixes, storage, and corrupted backups.
- WhatsApp Business Catalog, Quick Replies or Orders Not Working? Errors and Fixes Catalog errors and rejected items, quick reply rules (50 replies, / shortcuts), and creating, updating and cancelling orders in WhatsApp Business.
- Can’t Download or Update WhatsApp? Fixes for App Store and Play Store Errors Fixes for “insufficient space”, “incompatible with your device” and Google Play error codes when installing or updating WhatsApp.
- WhatsApp Chat Transfer Not Working? Moving Chats to a New Phone Transfer steps for every phone combination, what moves and what doesn’t, and fixes for missing QR codes, WhatsApp already active, a new number, and stuck transfers.
- WhatsApp Contacts Not Showing? Fix Numbers Instead of Names and Missing Contacts Numbers instead of names, missing contacts or birthdays: contacts permission, resetting sync on Android and iPhone, and international or work (Exchange) contacts.
- WhatsApp Not Connecting? Fixes for Wi-Fi, Mobile Data and WhatsApp Web Check your connection, then fix data saver, roaming, Background App Refresh, APN settings, office Wi-Fi and WhatsApp Web’s “Computer not connected”.
- WhatsApp Storage Full? How to Free Up Space With Manage Storage See what WhatsApp is storing, delete big files and copies, clear media from busy chats, and free up or upgrade backup storage.
Login & access
Passwords, login codes, two-factor and "can’t log in" problems.
- WhatsApp Web and Linked Devices: Logged Out, Can’t Link or Missing Chats How to link WhatsApp Web, desktop, tablets and more, why linked devices get logged out, the missing-history known issue, and staying safe.
- WhatsApp Verification Code Not Received? Fixes for Registration Problems No SMS code, Call me and email options, “guessed the code too many times”, unsupported numbers, roaming, prepaid balance and Wi-Fi Calling.
Hacked & security
Compromised accounts, suspicious logins and recovery scams.
- How to Block, Unblock and Report Someone on WhatsApp Block and unblock on iPhone, Android and Web; report contacts, unknown numbers, businesses, groups and view-once media; and what blocking does and doesn’t do.
- WhatsApp Hacked? How to Try to Recover Your Account and Log the Other Person Out Re-register with your 6-digit code to log everyone else out, handle an unknown two-step PIN, warn your contacts, and secure your account afterwards.
- WhatsApp Privacy Settings: Hide Last Seen, Online, Read Receipts and More WhatsApp’s default privacy settings, how to change last seen, online, profile photo, about, status and groups, and how read receipts really work.
Disabled & restricted accounts
Suspensions, restrictions, appeals and account status.
- WhatsApp Account Banned? “This Phone Number Can’t Use WhatsApp” and How to Request a Review The ban message, how to request a review, why accounts get banned, unofficial apps, your chats and backups, and getting back in after an unban.
- WhatsApp Business: Ad Payments, Marketing Messages, Business Directory and Deleting a Platform Number Ad and marketing message payments, holds and spending limits, the Business directory, and deleting a number from the WhatsApp Business Platform.
- How to Change Your WhatsApp Number (and Fix “Can’t Change Number”) Change number steps on the same or a new phone, what transfers, who gets told, backups after changing, and fixes when it won’t work.
- How to Delete Your WhatsApp Account (and What Happens to Your Chats) The steps to delete your WhatsApp account, what deleting erases, how it affects channels, and what happens if you no longer have your number.
- How to Change Your WhatsApp Profile Picture, Name and About Profile picture, name and About steps for iPhone, Android and Web, syncing your photo with Facebook and Instagram, and why others may not see changes.
- WhatsApp Parent-Managed Accounts: Setup, Parental Controls and Fixes How parent-managed accounts work, setup on both phones, the parent PIN, what parents control, missing features, message requests, and unlinked or deactivated accounts.
- WhatsApp Username Not Working? “Not Available”, “Taken” and Other Fixes Why you can’t see the username option, what “not available”, “taken” and “try again later” mean, format rules, claiming your Instagram or Facebook name, and changing or deleting it.
Messages & Messenger
Messages not sending, delivering or loading.
- WhatsApp Calls Not Working? Fixes for Reconnecting, Dropped and Video Calls Calls stuck reconnecting, dropping, or not connecting; camera and microphone problems; WhatsApp Web calling; firewall ports; and call links that won’t open.
- WhatsApp Community Problems: Can’t Join, Post, Leave or Add People Why you can’t post in Announcements or join general chat, community limits, invites and reset links, leaving, removing members or groups, and deactivating.
- WhatsApp Messages Disappearing or Deleted? Disappearing Messages and “Delete for Everyone” Explained Disappearing message timers, keeping messages, turning it off in chats and groups, Delete for everyone vs Delete for me, and the 2-day limit.
- WhatsApp Photos, Videos or Files Not Downloading? How to Fix Media Problems Photos, videos, voice messages and documents that won’t download, send or open: connection, permissions, SD cards, “file format not supported”, blurry photos, audio and PDFs.
- WhatsApp Messages Not Sending or Delivering? What the Clock and Check Marks Mean Clock icon, one check mark, messages not arriving, photos not sending, one contact or group you can’t message, and WhatsApp Web problems.
- Meta AI on WhatsApp Not Showing? Where to Find It and What It Can See Why Meta AI may not show up, where to find it, starting a chat, forwarding messages, AI images, what Meta can read, and limits for teens.
Feed & notifications
Notifications not arriving and feeds that won’t refresh.
- WhatsApp Channels Not Working? Can’t Find, Follow or Reply Why a channel won’t show up or follow, why you can’t reply, muted notifications, privacy for followers, verified badges, and creating and sharing a channel.
- WhatsApp Notifications Not Working? Fixes for No Alerts, No Sound and Group Chats No alerts while WhatsApp is closed, silent notifications, muted groups, battery settings by phone brand, Focus mode, previews, and WhatsApp Web.
- WhatsApp Status Not Working? Can’t Post, Can’t See, Blurry or Cut-Off Videos Fixes for statuses that won’t upload, look blurry or get cut off, and why you can’t see someone’s status or who viewed yours.
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