If you’re having an issue with sounds not playing on WhatsApp statuses, there are a few things you can try to fix it. The most common reasons for WhatsApp status sounds not working properly include media file compatibility problems, issues with your phone’s media volume settings, network connectivity problems, or bugs in the WhatsApp app itself that need to be updated or reinstalled. With some troubleshooting, you can usually get sound on WhatsApp statuses working again.
Compatibility Issues With Media Files
One of the most common reasons that sounds won’t play on WhatsApp status updates is that the video or audio file format being used is not fully compatible with WhatsApp. WhatsApp has specifications for which video and audio formats will work properly when uploaded as a status.
For video files, WhatsApp recommends using MP4 or 3GP formats, with H.264 video encoding and AAC audio encoding for best compatibility. If your video uses another format like AVI, MOV, or MKV, it may not play properly. The same applies for audio formats—while MP3, WAV, and AAC files are recommended, other formats like FLAC may not work.
If you recorded a video yourself using the WhatsApp camera or uploaded it directly from your phone’s gallery, compatibility is less likely to be an issue. But videos downloaded from elsewhere on the internet may use incompatible formats. Try converting videos to MP4 or audio files to MP3 before uploading to see if that fixes the no sound problem.
Tips for Media Compatibility
- Use MP4 for video and MP3 for audio when possible.
- Convert incompatible formats like AVI or MKV to MP4 before uploading.
- Use online converters if needed to change file formats.
- Record directly in WhatsApp instead of uploading from elsewhere.
Adjusting Your Phone’s Media Volume
Before trying other troubleshooting steps, double check that the media volume on your phone is turned up. If your phone’s ringer or notification volumes are up but media volume is muted or too low, sounds won’t play properly on WhatsApp status posts.
To adjust media volume on Android, use your phone’s volume buttons while a video or music is playing. An overlay will appear showing each volume slider – make sure the “Media” slider is turned up.
On iPhone, open the Settings app and choose Sounds & Haptics. Make sure that the volume sliders for Ringtone and Media are set to an audible level for your statuses and other media playback.
You can also use the volume buttons on the side of an iPhone while a video or audio is playing to access volume controls quickly.
Tips for Volume Settings
- Use phone volume buttons to check media volume.
- Turn up media volume slider in device settings.
- Make sure ringtone volume is up too.
- Restart phone if volume is stuck muted.
Network and Internet Connectivity Issues
Since WhatsApp status videos and audio clips stream over the internet, any network connectivity problems can also disrupt sound from playing properly. Issues like laggy mobile data, WiFi dropouts, and poor signal strength can all prevent media from buffering correctly.
Try switching between WiFi and mobile data to see if one network has better connectivity for playing WhatsApp status media files. Move closer to your WiFi router if possible or try going outside if on mobile data and the signal seems weak indoors.
If you’re in an area with no internet connection at all, WhatsApp will fail to load new statuses and play any attached media. You’ll need to get back in range of a WiFi or mobile data connection to view status updates and hear any sounds.
Tips for Network Issues
- Switch between WiFi and mobile data.
- Move closer to WiFi router or go outside for better mobile signal.
- Check for internet connectivity issues with other apps.
- Restart phone to refresh network connections.
Updating or Reinstalling WhatsApp
In some cases, bugs or glitches within the WhatsApp app itself can prevent audio from playing correctly on statuses. If media volume is up and your network connection seems fine, then an app issue could be the cause.
Start by making sure WhatsApp is fully up to date. Open your device’s app store, search for WhatsApp, and check if any pending updates are available to install. Keeping WhatsApp updated ensures you have the latest fixes and optimizations.
If WhatsApp is already updated but sound is still not working on statuses, try reinstalling the app. Uninstall WhatsApp, restart your phone, then re-download and install WhatsApp again. This will clear out any corrupted files or cached data that could be causing glitches.
Tips for App Issues
- Check for WhatsApp updates in app store.
- Update WhatsApp to latest version.
- Try reinstalling WhatsApp if issues persist.
- Restart phone after reinstalling app.
Enabling WhatsApp Media Auto-Download
If you have WhatsApp media auto-download disabled, this can prevent sounds from playing on statuses as media won’t preload. Only text statuses will show until you tap to download media.
To enable auto-download and have WhatsApp preload videos and audio for statuses, open WhatsApp Settings > Data and Storage Usage. Here you can choose to auto-download when on WiFi, on mobile data, when roaming, or never.
Enabling downloads on WiFi is recommended so statuses will preload when connected but won’t use up mobile data. You can also choose to auto-download for specific chats only.
Tips for Auto-Download Settings
- Open WhatsApp Data and Storage Usage settings.
- Enable media auto-download on WiFi at least.
- Can also enable auto-download on mobile data if needed.
- Apply settings change and check if it fixes sound issues.
Allowing WhatsApp Media Playback
On Android devices, you need to give WhatsApp permission to play media in the background for sounds to work on statuses. If background media playback is disabled, video and audio won’t run on statuses.
To check or enable this setting, open your Android device’s Settings app > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > App Permissions. Look for the “Play in Background” permission and make sure it is allowed for WhatsApp.
You can also go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions and allow media playback specifically. Just be sure WhatsApp has the right background permissions.
Tips for Playback Permissions
- Open App Permissions settings on Android.
- Check for “Play in Background” permission.
- Enable the permission for WhatsApp if disabled.
- May need to reopen WhatsApp for the change to apply.
Clearing WhatsApp Cache and Data
Over time, cached data and corrupt files can build up in WhatsApp that causes performance issues. If sounds won’t play reliably on statuses, try clearing the app cache and data.
On Android, go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage and tap “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data” to wipe temporary files and reset the app.
On iPhone, uninstall WhatsApp, restart the device, then reinstall WhatsApp to perform a fresh install that clears old data. This essentially resets the app without losing your account and messages.
Tips for Clearing Cache/Data
- On Android, go to WhatsApp Storage settings.
- Tap “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data” options.
- On iPhone, delete app and do fresh reinstall.
- Restart phone after clearing WhatsApp data.
Backing Up and Restoring WhatsApp
If no other troubleshooting steps resolve sound issues on WhatsApp status, try backing up your WhatsApp messaging history and settings, then restoring to your device to essentially reset the app.
On Android, go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup to back up to Google Drive. Then uninstall WhatsApp, reinstall, and restore during setup.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now to back up to iCloud. Delete WhatsApp, reinstall, and restore your backup.
Tips for Restoring WhatsApp
- Backup chats and data on Android or iPhone.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- Restore from Google Drive or iCloud backup.
- Check if sound now works properly on statuses.
Contacting WhatsApp Support
If you still cannot get sounds working on WhatsApp status after trying all applicable troubleshooting, you may need to contact WhatsApp support for additional help.
In WhatsApp, go to Settings > Help > Contact Us to get support options. You can email WhatsApp support describing your sound issue and what steps you’ve tried already.
Make sure to include details like your phone model, Android/iOS version, WhatsApp version, and any error messages you may see. Detailed information will help WhatsApp support determine the cause and provide fixes.
Tips for Contacting Support
- Go to WhatsApp Contact Us page.
- Email support with details of issue.
- Include phone model, OS version, WhatsApp version.
- List troubleshooting steps attempted.
- Provide any exact error messages.
Summary
Issues with sound on WhatsApp statuses can often be resolved with some basic checks and troubleshooting. Make sure media volume is turned up, the network connection is stable, WhatsApp is updated, permissions are configured correctly, and you’ve cleared app cache/data. If problems persist, contact WhatsApp support for help getting sound working properly again.