WhatsApp is a great tool that works as a messaging app and a social networking option.
It has a mobile version and a web version. When it comes to the web version of WhatsApp delivers various benefits for users.
However, despite all those benefits, the WhatsApp web version occasionally faces some issues. Well, what if you suddenly notice your WhatsApp web not working?
The truth is that there can be various reasons behind the WhatsApp web not working issue. Also, there are various ways to fix the issue, regardless of its cause.
This guide will explain how to fix the WhatsApp web not working issue.
What Can Cause the WhatsApp Web Not Working Issue?
Before we take a look at the possible solutions, it is better to get a good understanding of them.
In other words, knowing the reasons behind this issue is important for any person. With such knowledge, you can choose the most appropriate solution to address the issues from this list.
More importantly, it allows you to take precautionary measures so the issues won’t occur again. And below are some of the most common reasons behind the WhatsApp web not working.
- WhatsApp web may not work if you fail to clear cookies on the browser. Various issues can occur when browser cookies aren’t cleared regularly, other than WhatsApp issues.
- To use WhatsApp web, there must be a stable internet connection. So, if there are internet connection issues, the WhatsApp web client may not function properly.
- If there are some issues with the browser, the WhatsApp web client won’t be able to work properly.
So, those are the main causes of this issue. Besides, if your WhatsApp backup is not working or you need to export WhatsApp Chat to PDF, these are just for you.
Solutions to Fix WhatsApp Web Not Working
Let’s get to the main point of this article – the solutions to address the WhatsApp web not working issue.
As we mentioned before, there are multiple solutions to address this issue. Let’s look at all those solutions individually, so you can use the most appropriate method.
01. Check the Server of the Web Client
One of the most common reasons behind WhatsApp’s errors is issues related to the web client. WhatsApp’s web client can go down due to maintenance or several other reasons.
Regardless of the cause, you cannot use WhatsApp’s web client when the server is down. To check if the server is down or not, you should visit the link https://downdetector.com/status/whatsapp/.
If this site says that the webserver is down, you will have to wait until it is fixed. In that case, you have nothing to do with it.
02. Check if the Browser is Compatible or Not
Some browsers may not be compatible enough to run the web client of WhatsApp. Using such a browser, you are unlikely to run WhatsApp on it smoothly.
In that case, you will have to check the browser’s compatibility. This should be done after noticing that there is nothing wrong with the server of the web client. Remember that you are unlikely to experience compatibility issues using a reputed browser.
For instance, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Edge are those browsers that don’t have any compatibility issues.
So, if you use a different browser than the one mentioned earlier, switch your browser. Try a reputed browser and load the WhatsApp web client on it to see if it works.
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03. Clear the Cookies of the Browser
Another well-known culprit behind the WhatsApp web not working issue is corrupted browser cookies.
Apart from WhatsApp-related issues, these cookies can cause various other issues. So, clearing those cookies and getting your browser refreshed is highly recommended.
To get it done, you should follow the steps mentioned below. Please note that we use Google Chrome as an example here. These steps can vary slightly depending on the browser used.
- First of all, you should click on the menu button, which is located in the top-right corner.
- Then, click on the ‘More Tools’ option and choose ‘Clear Browsing Data.’
- Make sure that the option labeled ‘Cookies and other site data’ is checked. Then, please click on the option ‘Clear Data,’ which will clear cookies.
04. Check if the Browser Has Any Updates
The issue might be if your browser is not updated for a while. So, the best thing is to check if the browser has any updates and if there are any, install them.
To update your browser, you should follow the steps that are mentioned below. We use Google Chrome as an example in this article, as well.
- First, open Google Chrome. Then, you should click on the three-dotted icon (menu button) located in the top-right corner.
- You should now click on the option called ‘Help,’ and a list of options will appear. From the available lists, click on ‘About Google Chrome.’
- Now, you can see the details of the Chrome version you use. Chrome will download the available update if it is outdated.
After updating the browser, you should try the WhatsApp web client on it and see if it works.
05. Check if You Have a Solid Internet Connection
If the problem persists, you should see if there is something wrong with the internet connection. WhatsApp requires an internet connection to function well.
However, most people neglect to check if the internet connection is actually working. So, all you have to do is to check if the respective device is connected to the internet.
To do that, you can visit a different website and see if it loads. Playing a YouTube video is even better because it allows you to check if the connection has enough bandwidth. If it works, there is no issue with the internet connection.
06. Reset Your Browser’s Settings
If you have tried all the methods mentioned above and have yet to succeed, try this method. As per this method, you should reset your browser settings and see if the WhatsApp web client works.
With such an approach, you can remove any misconfiguration on the browser that prevents WhatsApp from working. And below are the steps to reset the settings of your browser.
- First, launch the browser and click on the three-dotted (menu) icon at the top-right corner.
- Then, you should click on the option called ‘Settings’ and select the option called ‘Advanced Tools.’
- You can click on the option ‘Restore Settings to their original defaults.’ After that, you should also click on ‘Restore Settings.’
- Click on ‘Reset Settings’ so the cookies also will be deleted, and the resetting process will be completed.
07. Disable Airplane Mode
Some users experience connectivity issues on their devices and see their WhatsApp web not working.
If this is the case with you, toggle the Airplane mode on and off. Make sure you turn on airplane mode and wait for about 10 seconds before turning it off.
Bonus Tip: Transferring WhatsApp from One Device to Another
Some individuals want to transfer WhatsApp data from one device to another for various reasons. Regardless of the reason, transferring data between devices can be problematic.
In this case, you will have to use a special tool to make the transfer smooth. Although it can be done manually as well, using a tool like Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer is very handy.
Follow the steps below if you intend to use Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer and make the file-transferring process smooth. In this case, we explain how to transfer WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone.
- First, you should download and install Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer software on your computer. Then, launch the app, and you can find an option called ‘Transfer.’
- Now, you should connect both devices to your computer using the original USB cables. Now, enable the USB debugging mode on the Android device. Then, it would help if you unlocked the iPhone so that Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer will detect the devices.
- Now that the devices are connected and identified, click on ‘Transfer.’ Now, you will see that WhatsApp data is transferring from one device to another.
Please note that all the WhatsApp data on the original host device will be deleted after this process. So, it is best to create a backup of the data you want.
FAQs
- Why is WhatsApp Web not connecting to my phone?
- WhatsApp Web connection issues can arise due to a weak internet connection, server problems, or firewall/antivirus blocking. Ensure a stable internet connection and try disabling firewall/antivirus temporarily.
- How do I update my web browser?
- To update your web browser, go to the browser settings or preferences and look for the “About” or “Help” section. From there, you can check for updates and install them if available.
- Why is the QR code not scanning on WhatsApp Web?
- If you’re having trouble scanning the QR code, ensure the code is aligned properly within the scanning frame, and there is no glare on your screen. Also, make sure your phone’s camera has sufficient focus and lighting.
- Will clearing browser cache and cookies delete my WhatsApp messages?
- No, clearing browser cache and cookies will not delete your WhatsApp messages. It only removes temporary data stored by the browser and helps resolve any conflicts or outdated information.
- What should I do if WhatsApp Web is still not working after trying all the troubleshooting steps?
- If WhatsApp Web is still not working, you can try reinstalling WhatsApp on your phone or reaching out to WhatsApp support for further assistance.
Final Words
WhatsApp web client is a handy tool in various cases. This will be very handy if you don’t have access to a mobile device.
Also, it can be handy when you want to share a file on your computer with someone on WhatsApp.
So, now you know what to do when WhatsApp web is not working; keep enjoying it.
