Not receiving WhatsApp notifications can be frustrating, as you may miss important messages. There are a few common reasons why WhatsApp notifications may not be coming through on your device:
- Do Not Disturb mode is enabled
- Notifications are disabled for WhatsApp
- WhatsApp notifications are muted
- Your phone is low on storage space
- Background app refresh is disabled
- Your phone’s OS or WhatsApp needs updating
- There’s an issue with your internet connection
In this article, we’ll dig deeper into each of these potential issues and explain how to fix missing WhatsApp notifications on both Android and iOS devices. Follow the troubleshooting steps below to get your WhatsApp notification alerts working properly again.
Do Not Disturb Mode is Enabled
The most common reason for missing notifications is that Do Not Disturb mode is enabled on your phone. This mutes all notifications so only calls and alarms will make noise.
To check if Do Not Disturb is on:
On Android
– Open Settings and go to Sound & Vibration > Do Not Disturb
– If it’s toggled on, turn off Do Not Disturb
On iPhone
– Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center
– Check if the moon icon is highlighted – this indicates DND mode is on
– Tap the moon icon to disable Do Not Disturb
Disabling Do Not Disturb allows all notifications to come through again normally. Just remember to re-enable it when you don’t want disturbances.
Notifications are Disabled for WhatsApp
Even if your general notifications are enabled, you may have disabled alerts just for WhatsApp. Here’s how to check and re-enable them:
On Android
– Open Settings > Apps & Notifications > See All Apps
– Tap WhatsApp > Notifications
– Make sure “Allow Notifications” is toggled on
– Check that the notification categories (Messages, Group Notifications, etc.) are enabled
On iPhone
– Go to Settings > Notifications
– Scroll down and tap WhatsApp
– Check that Allow Notifications is enabled
– Make sure Show Previews is on (optional)
– Confirm Sounds, Badge App Icon, and Notification Center alerts are all enabled
Turning WhatsApp notifications back on in your device settings will resolve disabled alerts for the app.
WhatsApp Notifications are Muted
You can mute WhatsApp notifications within the app itself in addition to your device settings:
To Unmute Notifications in WhatsApp
– Open WhatsApp and tap the 3-dot Menu button
– Go to Settings > Notifications
– Tap Message notifications and select Unmute
This will override any mutes you have set for specific chats or groups. Double check that none of your chats have notifications disabled at the individual level too.
Your Phone is Low on Storage Space
If your Android or iPhone is low on storage space, it can prevent some apps like WhatsApp from working properly. Notifications may be late or not come through at all.
To free up storage space:
On Android
– Delete unused apps, photos, videos, and files
– Clear cache and data for large apps
– Move photos/media to cloud storage
– Enable storage manager to remove junk files
On iPhone
– Offload unused apps
– Manage and optimize your iPhone storage
– Enable iCloud Photos to move images to the cloud
– Delete old text messages and emails
Aim to have at least 500MB free space as a buffer for notifications to work reliably. Adding a microSD card can help with storage on Android too.
Background App Refresh is Disabled
Background App Refresh allows apps like WhatsApp to refresh their content and send notifications when you aren’t actively using them. If it’s disabled, notifications can be delayed or missed.
To Enable Background App Refresh
On Android
– Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special App Access
– Enable Background App Refresh for WhatsApp
On iPhone
– Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
– Make sure Background App Refresh is toggled on
– Check WhatsApp is set to Refresh in the Background
Enabling background refresh gives WhatsApp the resources it needs to properly sync messages and send notifications in a timely manner.
Your Phone’s OS or WhatsApp Needs Updating
Having outdated software can prevent WhatsApp (or your whole device) from working properly.
To Update Your Phone’s OS
On Android
– Open Settings > System > Advanced > System Update
– Follow the prompts to download and install any available updates
On iPhone
– Go to Settings > General > Software Update
– Tap Download and Install if an iOS update is available
To Update WhatsApp
– Open the Play Store / App Store
– Search for WhatsApp and check if any updates are available
– Tap Update to download the latest version
Keeping your OS and apps fully updated eliminates software-related issues that could disrupt notifications.
There’s an Issue with Your Internet Connection
Of course, your phone needs an active internet connection to receive WhatsApp notifications. Some connectivity issues that can prevent notifications include:
– No cellular data or WiFi connection
– Airplane mode enabled
– Weak network signal in your area
– Out of prepaid data balance
– WiFi connectivity problems
Troubleshooting Tips
– Make sure cellular data or WiFi is turned on
– Try moving to an area with better signal
– Reconnect to WiFi and check if speed is consistent
– Disable Airplane mode if accidentally left on
– Contact your carrier if you have data connectivity issues
Stable internet access is key for WhatsApp notifications to work reliably. Troubleshoot any connection problems to resolve disruptions.
Other Potential Notification Issues
Besides the common reasons above, here are a few other things that could disrupt WhatsApp notifications:
– Battery optimization – Check that WhatsApp is not being optimized or put to sleep to conserve battery. Exclude it from optimization if needed.
– Time and date issues – An incorrect time/date on your device can delay notifications. Set it manually or use network-provided values.
– Jailbroken or rooted device – Modified devices may have notification problems. Consider unrooting and using the stock OS.
– Third-party app conflicts – Other apps like security services, task killers, etc could disrupt WhatsApp. Try disabling or uninstalling them.
– Custom ROMs – Non-standard ROMs on Android can cause instability. Try an official stock ROM if issues persist.
– Device specific bugs – Some models may have underlying bugs that affect WhatsApp. Search online to see if others have faced similar issues.
While less common, evaluating these additional factors can help uncover any outlier reasons why your WhatsApp notifications are silent.
How to Reset Notifications on WhatsApp
If you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps but notifications are still not coming through, resetting WhatsApp can often resolve lingering notification issues.
To Reset Notifications on Android
– Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > See All Apps > WhatsApp > Storage
– Tap Clear Storage, then Clear All Data
– Open WhatsApp again and re-enable notifications
To Reset Notifications on iPhone
– Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > WhatsApp
– Tap Offload App, then reinstall WhatsApp
– Open WhatsApp, re-enable notifications and unmute chats
Resetting removes any corrupt data or cached files that could disrupt notifications. Make sure to backup chats first as this will delete your WhatsApp messages.
Conclusion
Missing WhatsApp notifications can certainly be annoying and cause you to miss important messages. But in most cases, it can be resolved through careful troubleshooting:
– Check Do Not Disturb and app notification settings
– Unmute conversations and enable message previews
– Free up storage space if your device is full
– Update your phone operating system and WhatsApp
– Connect to stable WiFi or cellular data
Resetting WhatsApp can also help if issues persist. With the right settings enabled, WhatsApp notifications should come through reliably so you never miss a message again. Let us know if you’re still facing issues after trying these troubleshooting tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my WhatsApp notifications delayed?
Delayed WhatsApp notifications are most often caused by disabled background app refresh, low storage space, poor internet connection, or software updates needed. Enable background refresh, free up storage, connect to better WiFi/data, and update your device & WhatsApp.
Why are WhatsApp notifications not working when phone screen is locked?
This usually happens when you have disabled pop-up notifications in WhatsApp settings. Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Notifications and make sure “Show Preview” and pop-up notifications are enabled.
How do I stop WhatsApp from muting notifications?
Open WhatsApp, tap Menu > Settings > Notifications > Message Notifications and select the “Urgent messages” option. This will override any notification mutes.
Should I reinstall WhatsApp to fix notification issues?
Reinstalling WhatsApp is unlikely to help on its own. Try simpler steps first like updating WhatsApp, checking app settings, freeing up storage, resetting network settings etc. Reinstall as a last resort.
What happens if I clear WhatsApp data to reset notifications?
Clearing WhatsApp’s local data will reset notifications but also delete your locally stored messages. Be sure to backup chats before resetting app data. Notification settings will need to be re-enabled afterwards.
WhatsApp Notification Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Potential Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| No notifications at all | Do Not Disturb enabled Notifications disabled for WhatsApp Muted conversations App needs updating |
Disable DND mode Enable WhatsApp notifications Unmute specific chats Update WhatsApp |
| Delayed notifications | Background app refresh off Low storage space Weak internet connection |
Enable background app refresh Clear storage space Move to better signal area |
| Notifications not showing content | Message previews disabled OS/WhatsApp outdated |
Enable message previews Update OS and WhatsApp |
| Notifications don’t vibrate/sound | Sounds muted Do Not Disturb restrictions |
Unmute WhatApp sounds Adjust Do Not Disturb settings |
Fix WhatsApp Notification Issues on Android
Here is a summary of the key troubleshooting steps for missing WhatsApp notifications on Android devices:
- Open Settings > Apps & Notifications > WhatsApp > Notifications. Make sure all notification categories are enabled.
- Go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb and disable if it’s enabled or restricting WhatsApp.
- Check Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special App Access > Battery Optimization and ensure WhatsApp is not optimized.
- Open WhatsApp > Menu > Settings > Notifications and unmute any conversations.
- Verify Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Background App Refresh is enabled for WhatsApp.
- Check Settings > Battery for any apps draining battery in the background that could disrupt WhatsApp.
- Go to WhatsApp > Menu > Settings > Storage and tap Clear Data followed by Clear All Data to reset WhatsApp.
Following these troubleshooting steps for Android will help identify and resolve any issues with WhatsApp notifications not working properly.
Fix WhatsApp Notification Issues on iPhone
To troubleshoot missing or delayed notifications from WhatsApp on your iPhone:
- Open Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp and check Allow Notifications is enabled with Sounds and Badge App Icon toggled on.
- Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and make sure WhatsApp is not silenced and can bypass Do Not Disturb.
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Notifications and unmute any conversations you want to receive alerts from.
- Check Settings > General > Background App Refresh and enable for WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings > Battery and see if Low Power Mode is on, which can disrupt WhatsApp notifications.
- Verify your iPhone is not low on storage space, which can prevent notifications.
- Force quit and re-open the WhatsApp app to resolve any crashing issues.
Following these troubleshooting steps will help restore missing or delayed WhatsApp notifications on your iPhone.