It can be very annoying when you get the “restoring media paused” message on WhatsApp. This message appears when WhatsApp is having trouble downloading media from the chat history, usually due to a poor internet connection. While it often resolves itself after some time, there are a few things you can try to get rid of this message more quickly.
Check Your Internet Connection
The first thing to check is your internet connection. Make sure you have a strong WiFi or mobile data signal. If not, try moving closer to your router or switching to a cellular network. A weak internet connection is often the culprit behind the “restoring media paused” message.
You can also try toggling airplane mode on and off to reset your network connection. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right to access Control Center and tap the airplane icon. On Android, pull down the notification shade and tap the airplane mode tile.
Close and Reopen WhatsApp
If your internet connection seems fine, try fully closing out of the WhatsApp app and reopening it. On iPhone, double tap the home button and swipe up on WhatsApp to close it. On Android, open the app switcher and swipe WhatsApp away.
After closing WhatsApp, reopen it and check if the “restoring media paused” message has gone away. This resets the app and forces it to reconnect to the internet.
Clear Cache and Data
Another solution is to clear the cache and data for WhatsApp. The cache can build up and cause issues like stuck media downloads. Here’s how to clear it:
On iPhone:
1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
2. Select WhatsApp.
3. Tap Offload App to clear the cache. Then tap Reinstall App to get WhatsApp back.
On Android:
1. Open Settings > Apps & notifications.
2. Select WhatsApp.
3. Tap Storage & cache > Clear cache and Clear data.
4. Open WhatsApp again – your chat history will need to re-download.
This removes any corrupted temporary files or data causing problems in WhatsApp.
Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp
If the above steps don’t work, uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp may fix the “restoring media paused” issue.
On iPhone:
1. Hold down on the WhatsApp icon until it starts wiggling.
2. Tap the X icon to delete it.
3. Go to the App Store and reinstall WhatsApp.
On Android:
1. Open Settings > Apps & notifications.
2. Select WhatsApp.
3. Tap Uninstall.
4. Go to the Play Store and reinstall it.
After uninstalling WhatsApp, make sure to backup your chats so you don’t lose your conversation history. When reinstalling, restore from your chat backup.
Update WhatsApp
An outdated version of WhatsApp could also be responsible for issues with downloading media. Make sure you’re running the latest version of WhatsApp:
On iPhone:
1. Go to the App Store.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right.
3. Pull down to check for app updates and install any available WhatsApp updates.
On Android:
1. Open the Play Store.
2. Tap the hamburger menu in the top left.
3. Go to My Apps & Games > Updates to see pending updates. Install any for WhatsApp.
Updating to the newest WhatsApp version can potentially patch bugs related to media downloads and the “restoring media paused” message.
Disable Battery Optimization
On Android devices, having battery optimization enabled for WhatsApp could interfere with background media downloads. Try turning this off:
1. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access.
2. Select Battery optimization.
3. Choose All apps and locate WhatsApp.
4. Tap Don’t optimize > Done.
With battery optimization disabled for WhatsApp, it should be able to download media in the background unhindered.
Check Date and Time Settings
Having incorrect date and time settings on your device can also prevent WhatsApp from downloading media properly. Check that your date, time and timezone are set correctly:
On iPhone:
1. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
2. Make sure Set Automatically is enabled and the displayed time is correct.
On Android:
1. Open Settings > System > Date & time.
2. Toggle on Automatic date & time and Automatic time zone.
3. Check the date and time are right. Adjust if needed.
Having the right time settings ensures your device’s connection to WhatsApp’s servers stays in sync.
Free Up Storage Space
If your phone is low on storage, WhatsApp may have trouble downloading and saving media files. Try freeing up space:
– Offload large apps you’re not using
– Delete old photos and videos
– Transfer files to a computer or cloud storage
– Delete large downloaded files like movies
– Uninstall apps you no longer use
More free space allows WhatsApp breathing room to download and process media files without errors.
Reset Network Settings
As a last resort, resetting your network settings can help resolve persistent WhatsApp media download issues:
On iPhone:
1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
2. Tap Reset Network Settings.
On Android:
1. Open Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
This will remove any problematic network configs and force your device to re-establish working network connections.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If you still see the “restoring media paused” message after trying all troubleshooting steps, it’s best to contact WhatsApp support. They can investigate and offer personalized solutions to fix download issues.
Some ways to contact WhatsApp support:
– In WhatsApp, tap Settings > Help > Contact Us to start an email chat.
– Visit the WhatsApp FAQ and use the Contact Us form: https://faq.whatsapp.com/
– Tweet @WhatsAppSupport for help via Twitter.
With the details about your specific issue, WhatsApp support can better assist you in resolving the “restoring media paused” problem.
Wait It Out
One last option is to simply wait and let WhatsApp resolve the issue on its own. Media downloads getting stuck at random is unfortunately common in WhatsApp.
Try waiting an hour or two – don’t use WhatsApp during this time or turn on airplane mode. This gives the app time to recover and complete any failed media transfers in the background.
The “restoring media paused” message is often temporary and clears up after a little while. Have patience and keep an eye on it.
Conclusion
The “restoring media paused” message in WhatsApp is annoying, but usually resolvable. Start by checking your internet connection and closing/reopening the app. Clearing cache, reinstalling WhatsApp, updating it, and adjusting date/time settings can also help fix download issues. For persistent problems, contact WhatsApp support or simply wait it out. With a little troubleshooting, you can get rid of restoring media paused and get back to seamlessly using WhatsApp.