WhatsApp is not working: How to fix WhatsApp problems
If WhatsApp suddenly stops working, it may be due to various reasons. Some of them you can fix yourself. Here you can find out how this works exactly and whether the problem is on the provider’s side in case of doubt.
$1 Domain Names
Register great TLDs for less than $1 for the first year.
Why wait? Grab your favorite domain name today!
WhatsApp stopped working: What you can do
When something isn’t running smoothly with WhatsApp, you usually notice not only because the recipient hasn’t sent you a message back, but also because the clock icon is displayed instead of the two (blue) ticks next to the text. If the clock stays there for a longer time, it could signal a problem. You can then try the following things:
Check Internet connection
Check on your phone whether either the WLAN connection or mobile data is active. For this, the icon or icons should be activated in the taskbar of your smartphone.
If this is the case and WhatsApp is still not working, click on another application and check if you are online there – this way you rule out that it is a fundamental problem with your Internet reception on the smartphone.
Restart your smartphone
Sometimes it helps to turn off your smartphone once and turn it on again – this way the operating system can reload and problems with apps can be fixed. By the way, if you have a problem with your smartphone, you can also use the app on your desktop. There is WhatsApp for PC and you can use WhatsApp on Mac.
Update WhatsApp or operating system
Depending on how you’ve configured your smartphone to handle (automatic) app updates, you may miss an update for WhatsApp – and that can cause the app to stop working properly. So, if you’re still experiencing problems, visit the Play Store or App Store and search for WhatsApp. If you don’t have the latest version on your phone, you will be offered the option to update.
If WhatsApp is up to date, an outdated operating system can be causing the error. To check this, select Software Update in your phone’s settings to carry out any updates.
Clear the cache
Your WhatsApp is unresponsive (or slow), especially at startup? This may be due to the background Storage of your smartphone – more precisely, the cache. To clear it, open the settings of your Android phone, scroll to “Apps”, and select WhatsApp from the list. On the following page, click on “Storage” and at the bottom right on “Clear cache”.
On the iPhone, a targeted clearing of the WhatsApp cache is not provided – here the only way is to delete the WhatsApp account or uninstall the app on your phone and then reinstall it.
Reinstall WhatsApp
Reinstalling WhatsApp can also help with other problems with the app – both on iPhone and Android. Especially if you keep getting the message that WhatsApp is paused, the step is worth it. Uninstallation is done by pressing the app icon until a small menu opens, offering you the option to “Uninstall”. It is recommended to create a WhatsApp backup (for example, with Google Drive) beforehand, so that no data is lost. To reinstall, download the app from the respective store – or opt for a WhatsApp alternative.
Quick and secure: Use IONOS HiDrive cloud storage for your WhatsApp backup.
WhatsApp not working: Provider problems
If all the above tips do not help, it is likely that it is a major malfunction with the provider. You can find out, for example, via malfunction websites such as downdetector.com. Users can report on the site if they have problems with an application. On Twitter, there is also the hashtag #WhatsAppdown, which may tell you if WhatsApp is not only not working for you.
Since WhatsApp belongs to Facebook and Meta Platforms, the Messenger and the social media platform, as well as Instagram, are often affected by the disruptions at the same time.
Contact WhatsApp support
If you have long-term problems using WhatsApp, you can contact support directly via the app. To do so, go to “Settings” in the app, select the “Help” item and click on “Contact us”. In the following window, enter your message.
If the app won’t open, you can also send a message to support via the WhatsApp website. Phone support is not provided.
Professional Email Address & Personal Domain Name
Get an email address as professional and unique as you are including a free matching domain!
Related articles
How to use WhatsApp group calls
Making a WhatsApp group call is super easy. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to start a WhatsApp video group call via “Calls” and from within a group. Learn how to accept or reject an incoming WhatsApp group call and how to add additional contacts during an ongoing WhatsApp conference call. Now let’s get started.
GaudiLabShutterstock How to use WhatsApp without saving a contact number
To send a message through WhatsApp without saving a contact’s number first, you generally have three options: you can use the web browser, you can use another app, or you can do it via the Android’s text selection menu. We’ll show you how each option works and explain how to send messages on WhatsApp without saving a number.
GaudiLabShutterstock Using WhatsApp without a phone number
While WhatsApp technically requires a valid mobile phone number to work, it is possible to use WhatsApp without a SIM. This is typically achieved by either using a landline number or the “Linked devices” option. In this article, we explain how you can you use WhatsApp without a phone and when this option might be useful.
How to recover deleted WhatsApp messages: Step by step
You archived or deleted a WhatsApp chat and now need to get it back? There are various methods available for both Android and iPhone owners to recover a deleted WhatsApp chat although you will have needed to have done a backup beforehand. Our article explains step by step what you need to do to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages.
