WhatsApp video calling is a great way to stay connected with friends and family. However, sometimes you may experience laggy, pixelated, or choppy video quality. There are several steps you can take to improve your WhatsApp video call quality.
Check your internet connection
The most important factor for video call quality is having a strong, stable internet connection. WhatsApp recommends using a WiFi or broadband wired connection for optimal video quality. Avoid using WhatsApp video on a weak cellular data signal, as this is likely to cause lag, freezing, and blurry video.
Some things you can do to optimize your internet connection:
- Move closer to your WiFi router if on WiFi, or plug your device directly into your router with an Ethernet cable.
- Close any bandwidth-heavy applications running in the background like video streaming or downloading large files.
- If using mobile data, make sure you have at least a 3G connection. 4G/LTE is better. Move closer to a window where you get better signal strength.
- Restart your router and device to refresh the internet connection.
A good rule of thumb is you need at least 1 Mbps upload and download speeds consistently for a decent WhatsApp video call. You can test your internet speeds at a site like speedtest.net.
Update your WhatsApp app
Make sure you’re running the latest version of WhatsApp on your device. WhatsApp frequently releases updates to fix bugs and improve video call performance.
On Android: Open the Play Store app, go to Updates, and check for a WhatsApp update.
On iPhone: Go to the App Store, tap your profile icon, scroll down to check for updates and update WhatsApp if available.
Restart your device
Sometimes laggy video can be fixed by simply restarting your phone. This will clear out any memory issues or software bugs affecting WhatsApp.
Completely power down your device and turn it back on. Then try making a WhatsApp video call.
Use WhatsApp’s Data Saving mode
WhatsApp has a Data Saving mode that can help improve video quality by reducing data usage. This prevents image and video degradation in areas with poor signal strength.
To enable it:
- On Android: Open WhatsApp Settings > Data and Storage Usage > turn on Low Data Usage
- On iPhone: Open WhatsApp Settings > Data and Storage Usage > turn on Low Data Mode
Disable battery optimization
Some Android devices try to limit WhatsApp’s data usage and connectivity to preserve battery life. This can negatively impact video calls.
You should disable battery optimization for WhatsApp:
- Go to Android Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special App Access > Optimize battery usage
- Locate WhatsApp and make sure the option is disabled
Close other apps
Running multiple apps in the background can drain your phone’s bandwidth, CPU, memory, and battery. This will degrade your WhatsApp video quality.
Try closing all other apps before making a WhatsApp video call for optimal performance. On iPhone, double click the home button and swipe up on all apps to fully close them. On Android, open the multitasking view and swipe up on apps to close.
Turn off video if not needed
If you don’t necessarily need video, switch to a WhatsApp audio call instead. This will remove the bandwidth strain of video streaming and provide crystal clear voice quality.
To toggle video on/off during a call, tap the video icon in the top right corner.
Use WhatsApp Web
Try using WhatsApp’s web version on your computer’s browser at web.whatsapp.com. Connect your phone and scan the QR code. The larger screen provides a better video call experience and web browsers are optimized for video streaming.
Make sure your computer is connected via Ethernet if possible for faster internet speeds.
Avoid group video calls
More participants means more bandwidth requirements. For optimal video quality, stick to one-on-one WhatsApp video calls instead of large group calls.
If you need to speak with multiple people, use the broadcast message feature to relay information instead of a group video call.
Change cameras
Most phones have front and rear facing cameras. If your current camera is providing poor video quality, try switching to the other camera instead during your call.
Tap the flip camera icon in the top left corner to swap between front and rear cameras.
Clean your camera lens
Dust, fingerprints, and dirt on your camera lens can reduce image quality. Give your front and rear phone cameras a quick cleaning with a microfiber cloth before your next WhatsApp video call.
Rule out hardware issues
In some cases, poor video quality may be caused by the phone’s hardware rather than WhatsApp itself. Things to consider:
- Old, deteriorating phone battery – Replace your battery if over 2 years old.
- Cracked or damaged camera lens/screen – May need replacement.
- Low storage space – Delete files and clear cache to free up storage.
- Overheating phone – Clean out dust, improve ventilation, turn off resource heavy apps.
- Outdated phone model – Older phones struggle with video calls. Upgrade if needed.
Adjust video settings
WhatsApp allows you to customize some video settings that may improve call quality:
On Android:
- Open WhatsApp > More options (three dots) > Settings > Data and storage usage
- Under Video Upload Quality, select a lower resolution like 480p if you have bandwidth issues.
On iPhone:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Data and Storage Usage
- Under Video Quality, select a lower setting like Low if you have bandwidth issues.
Lower video resolutions will reduce data usage and may help improve video smoothness.
Troubleshoot your phone’s network connectivity
Beyond your internet connection, your overall cell network connectivity can also impact WhatsApp call quality.
Here are some things you can try to troubleshoot network issues:
- Restart your phone – Power cycle it to reconnect to the network.
- Toggle Airplane mode on/off – This will force your device to re-establish signal.
- Check for carrier outages – Contact your cell provider or check their service status page.
- Check signal strength in your area – Move to a spot with better signal.
- Remove case from phone – Bulky cases can sometimes interfere with signal.
- Update carrier settings – On iPhone, open Settings > General > About and follow prompts to update.
- Replace SIM card – Your SIM could be damaged or not provisioned properly.
Use a different device
As a last resort, attempt a WhatsApp video call from a different phone or computer to see if the issue is isolated to a single device.
Borrow a friend’s phone temporarily and try making a call. Or install WhatsApp’s desktop client on your computer and try video calling to rule out any problems with your phone’s hardware.
Contact WhatsApp support
If you continue experiencing poor video call quality, reach out directly to WhatsApp support:
- Twitter: Tweeting @WhatsAppSupport
- Facebook: Messaging WhatsApp on Facebook
- Email: [email protected]
- Web form: Filling out the support form at whatsapp.com/contact
Explain your situation and troubleshooting steps you’ve taken. Include details like your phone model, WhatsApp version, and what type of connection you’re using.
WhatsApp can investigate potential issues on their end causing degraded video quality.
Conclusion
With some diligent troubleshooting, you should be able to significantly improve the quality of your WhatsApp video calls. Optimize your internet connectivity, update your apps, adjust video settings, and contact WhatsApp support if needed. With a combination of software optimizations, network tweaks, and ideal physical conditions, you’ll be video calling smoothly in no time.