There are several common reasons why WhatsApp doesn’t work: the platform is down, your installed client has a problem, or your internet connection isn’t working. We’ll go over all these issues.
1. Make Sure Your Internet Connection Is Working
When WhatsApp stops functioning, check your internet connection and ensure it’s working. That’s because WhatsApp relies on the internet to send and receive your messages. One way to check your internet connection’s status is to open a web browser on your device and launch a site like Google. If your device loads the site, your internet is working. If your phone fails to load the site, you have internet problems. You can try fixing these issues yourself or seek your internet service provider’s help.
2. Close and Reopen WhatsApp
WhatsApp’s minor glitches can prevent you from sending or receiving messages. The good thing is you can resolve most of these minor problems by closing and reopening the WhatsApp app. Close down WhatsApp on your phone, wait a few seconds, and relaunch the app.
3. Check if WhatsApp Is Down
WhatsApp’s servers may be experiencing an outage, resulting in your messages not getting sent or received. There are various reasons why this happens. You can check if the platform is facing downtime by using a site like DownDetector. This site should tell you if WhatsApp’s servers have any issues. If that’s the case, you can’t do anything on your end but wait for the company to resolve those server problems.
4. Check if WhatsApp Has Deleted Your Account
If you’ve been inactive on the WhatsApp app for the past 120 days, the company may have deleted your account. This may be why you can’t use the app on your phone. If that has happened with your account, you’ll have to sign up for a new account using the WhatsApp app on your iPhone or Android phone.
5. Restart Your Phone
Your phone’s minor issues can cause interference with WhatsApp, causing the app not to properly function. In this case, you can reboot your phone to fix those little glitches.
Reboot an iPhone
Reboot an Android Phone
6. Turn On Background Data for WhatsApp
WhatsApp needs internet access even when you aren’t actively using the app. This is because the app needs to constantly check for incoming messages. Your iPhone or Android phone may have denied background internet access to WhatsApp, causing the app not to fully function. In this case, turn on your phone’s background data option for this instant messaging app, and your issue will be resolved.
Enable Background Data for WhatsApp on an iPhone
Enable Background Data for WhatsApp on an Android Phone
7. Clear WhatsApp’s Cache on Your Android Phone
WhatsApp stores and uses cache files on your phone to enhance your user experience. Sometimes, these cache files go corrupt, causing the app to malfunction. Luckily, you can resolve the cache-related issues by clearing your app’s cache. You can only do this on Android phones as the iPhone doesn’t allow deleting the app cache.
8. Free Up Your Phone’s Storage
Since WhatsApp downloads and saves your messages locally on your phone, you must have some free storage space on your device. Not having adequate space can cause WhatsApp not to receive incoming messages. You can fix that by analyzing your phone’s space and getting rid of the unwanted files.
Clear iPhone’s Storage
Clear Android’s Storage
9. Update WhatsApp on Your Phone
WhatsApp may not work because you’re using an old version of the app. This is usually the case if you’re using an app version launched many months ago. Fixing this issue is easy as all you have to do is use your phone’s respective app store to update the WhatsApp app.
Update WhatsApp on an iPhone
Update WhatsApp on an Android Phone
Fix WhatsApp’s Broken Functionalities on Your iPhone or Android Phone
WhatsApp may not work for various reasons on your smartphone. You may want to fix the issue as soon as possible if you rely on this app for your important communications. Fortunately, there are several ways to get around a malfunctioning or not functioning WhatsApp app. Use one or more of the above methods and your app should start working. Then, you can enjoy chatting with your friends and family!
