WhatsApp video calling is a great way to stay connected with friends and family. However, sometimes you may run into issues with video calls not working properly. The good news is there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to get your WhatsApp video calls back up and running.
Quick Fixes
Here are some quick things to try first if your WhatsApp video calls aren’t working:
- Restart your phone – Simply turn your phone off and then back on again. Restarting can help clear out any glitches.
- Force quit and relaunch the WhatsApp app – Completely close out of the WhatsApp app by swiping it away from your recent apps. Then reopen WhatsApp.
- Check your internet connection – Make sure you’re connected to a stable WiFi or cellular data network. Video calling requires a fast, consistent connection.
- Update WhatsApp – Go to your app store and download the latest version of WhatsApp in case your version has a bug.
- Clear cache and data for WhatsApp – This wipes the existing data and forces the app to redownload necessary files again.
Trying the quick troubleshooting steps can resolve minor software bugs disrupting your WhatsApp video calls. If you’re still having issues, keep reading for more in-depth fixes.
Check Your Internet Connection
One of the most common reasons for WhatsApp video call issues is poor internet connection. Video calls require much more bandwidth than regular WhatsApp messaging or audio calls.
Here are some tips for checking your internet connection:
- Restart your router – Unplug your router, leave it off for 30 seconds, then plug back in. This can kickstart a sluggish internet connection.
- Switch from WiFi to cellular data or vice versa – Test if the issue is isolated to one network.
- Run a speed test – Use a site like Fast.com or Speedtest.net to measure your current upload/download speeds.
- Move closer to your router – If on WiFi, move closer to the router or access point for a stronger signal.
- Check for interference – Make sure there are no thick walls, microwaves, baby monitors, etc reducing WiFi signal strength.
For WhatsApp video calls you’ll typically want speeds of at least 2 Mbps download and upload. If your connection is much slower, video quality will suffer.
Troubleshoot Slow Internet Connection
If speed tests show your internet is too slow for video calls, here are some steps to improve connection speed and strength:
- Upgrade your internet plan – Contact your internet provider about plans offering faster speeds.
- Change WiFi frequency band – Try switching from 2.4GHz to 5GHz for less interference.
- Update router firmware – Check your router admin panel for the latest firmware version.
- Limit devices on network – The more devices using WiFi simultaneously, the slower it becomes.
Getting a strong, fast internet connection is key for smooth WhatsApp video calling. Contact your internet service provider if you need help optimizing your network.
Update WhatsApp
Keeping WhatsApp up to date can also help prevent video call issues. New app versions often contain bug fixes, performance improvements, and optimizations.
Here’s how to update WhatsApp on iOS and Android:
Update WhatsApp on iPhone
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right.
- Scroll down to see pending app updates and tap “Update” next to WhatsApp.
Update WhatsApp on Android
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap the hamburger menu icon in the top left corner.
- Tap “My apps & games.”
- Under “Updates,” tap “Update” next to WhatsApp.
The update will download and install automatically. Always keep WhatsApp fully updated to avoid issues.
Allow WhatsApp Camera and Microphone Access
For video calls, WhatsApp needs access to your smartphone’s microphone and camera. If access got disabled, video calls will fail.
Here’s how to check or re-enable WhatsApp camera and microphone access:
iPhone Camera and Microphone Access
- Go to iPhone Settings > Privacy > Camera.
- Make sure WhatsApp is toggled on.
- Also go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and toggle on WhatsApp.
Android Camera and Microphone Access
- Open WhatsApp Settings > App Permissions.
- Check that access is allowed for Camera and Microphone.
- If not allowed, tap the option and select “Allow.”
Granting microphone and camera access gets disabled sometimes during WhatsApp updates. Check app permissions if video calls suddenly stop working.
Disable Battery Saver Mode
To conserve battery life, smartphones have a battery saver or low power mode. This temporarily reduces performance and limits background app activity.
Unfortunately, battery saver modes can interfere with WhatsApp’s ability to maintain a video call connection. If you regularly have video call issues, try disabling battery saver mode.
Turn Off Battery Saver on iPhone
- Go to Settings > Battery.
- Make sure Low Power Mode is turned off.
Turn Off Battery Saver on Android
- Open Settings > Battery.
- Tap Battery Saver and switch to Off.
With battery saver disabled, your phone will drain power faster but WhatsApp should be able to sustain video calls without interruption.
Reset Network Settings
As a last resort, you can reset your smartphone’s network settings entirely to defaults. This clears any corrupted data or glitches related to internet connectivity.
Here’s how to reset network settings on iPhone and Android:
Reset Network Settings on iPhone
- Go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Your device will reboot with default network settings.
Reset Network Settings on Android
- Open Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options.
- Tap Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth.
- Tap Reset Settings and then OK to confirm.
After the reset, you’ll have to rejoin WiFi networks and set up cellular data again. Test if WhatsApp video calls are working normally.
Contact Your Cell Phone Carrier
Issues making WhatsApp video calls over cellular data could also stem from your cell phone carrier. Here are some carrier-related causes and fixes:
- Coverage issue – Check carrier coverage map for known dead zones.
- SIM card error – Reseat SIM card or request replacement SIM.
- Bandwidth throttling – Carriers may throttle speeds after data usage limits. Change plans.
- Banned IP address – Your cell carrier may have banned your phone’s IP for violations. Request new IP.
Contact your cell provider’s customer support if you can’t identify the cause. They can troubleshoot or provide steps to fix any carrier-related problems.
Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp
As a final, last ditch troubleshooting step, try fully uninstalling WhatsApp and then installing it again from scratch.
This will wipe all WhatsApp data on your device. Before uninstalling, make sure to back up your WhatsApp messages and media, as described below:
Back Up WhatsApp on iPhone
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap “Back Up Now.”
Back Up WhatsApp on Android
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Tap “Back up” to confirm.
With your chat history safely backed up, follow the steps below to fully uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp on iPhone
- Delete WhatsApp.
- Power your device off completely.
- Power back on and reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
- Restore your chat history from iCloud backup.
Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp on Android
- Delete WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings > Apps and clear WhatsApp data and cache.
- Reinstall WhatsApp from the Play Store.
- Restore your chat history from Google Drive backup.
Hopefully after fully reinstalling the app, your WhatsApp video calls will work again. This eliminates any corrupted files that may be causing conflicts.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If you still can’t get WhatsApp video calls working after trying all troubleshooting steps, you can contact WhatsApp support for additional help.
To get in touch with a WhatsApp support agent:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Help.
- Tap “Contact us” and select your issue category.
- Explain your video call issues in detail.
- A WhatsApp agent will respond to help resolve your problem.
WhatsApp support may be able to identify issues on their server side or provide specialized troubleshooting tips not covered here. Reach out to them if you’re still unable to fix video call problems after trying all recommended steps.
Conclusion
WhatsApp video call issues can often be frustrating, but are usually fixable. Start with simple steps like force closing the app, checking your internet, and updating WhatsApp. For ongoing problems, dig deeper into your network settings, app permissions, battery saver settings, or carrier configurations. And as a last resort, completely reinstall WhatsApp or contact their support team. With persistence and patience, you’ll get your WhatsApp video calls connecting smoothly again in no time.