WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, used by over 2 billion people worldwide. However, many users encounter issues with accessing their WhatsApp account from time to time. There are various reasons why you may be unable to open your WhatsApp account.
Account Ban or Suspension
One of the most common reasons for being unable to access your WhatsApp account is if it has been banned or suspended by WhatsApp. This usually occurs if WhatsApp detects suspicious activity or violations of their terms of service on your account. Some of the reasons your account could get banned include:
- Sending spam or bulk messages
- Using unauthorized 3rd party apps like WhatsApp Plus
- Sending threatening or harassing messages
- Spreading misinformation or fake news
- Violating copyright laws
If your account has been banned, you will typically see a message saying your account is “temporarily banned” or “permanently banned” when trying to access it. The only way to recover a banned account is to appeal to WhatsApp directly.
Incorrect Password
Another simple but common reason you may be locked out of your WhatsApp account is if you entered the wrong password too many times. WhatsApp will automatically lock the account after a certain number of failed login attempts to prevent unauthorized access.
If you cannot remember your password correctly, you can tap on the “Forgot Password” option when prompted to enter your password. This will send a reset link to the phone number associated with your WhatsApp account. Once you reset your password successfully, you should be able to log back in.
Account Verification Failed
WhatsApp has an account verification process when registering your phone number. This involves entering a 6-digit code sent to your phone via SMS or call. If you entered the wrong verification code multiple times, WhatsApp may ban your access temporarily as a security measure.
To resolve this, you need to request WhatsApp to send you a new 6-digit code and enter it correctly to verify your device. If your phone number has changed, you will need to update to your new number and reverify it on WhatsApp before accessing your account.
Phone Issues
Since WhatsApp is tied to your phone number, any issues with your phone can also affect accessing your WhatsApp account. Some common phone-related reasons for not being able to use WhatsApp include:
- Your phone being switched off
- Network or internet connectivity problems
- Your phone number expired or was reassigned
- You switched SIM cards without updating your number
- Your phone does not have enough storage space
- Your phone date/time settings are incorrect
To troubleshoot phone-related issues, start by checking your internet connection, restarting your phone, and ensuring WhatsApp is updated to the latest version. Also check your phone number is still active and correctly registered in WhatsApp.
Account Deleted
In some cases, users may be unable to access their WhatsApp account because the account itself has been deleted. This can happen if you manually deleted your WhatsApp account, performed a factory reset on your phone, or deleted and reinstalled the app without backing up your chats.
Unfortunately, once your WhatsApp account is deleted, there is no way to recover it. The only option is to sign up again using your phone number. You will lose access to all previous chats and data from your deleted account.
Exceeding User Limit
WhatsApp allows one account per phone number. If you try to register an account on a second device using a phone number that already has an existing WhatsApp account, you will be blocked from verifying the account on the new device.
To use WhatsApp on a second device, you need to factory reset the old device first and wipe the WhatsApp account from it before re-registering on the new device. Alternatively, you can use WhatsApp Web to sync your account on a secondary device.
Banned By WhatsApp
In extreme cases of violation of their terms, WhatsApp may ban users entirely from the platform. This means you will be unable to create a new account using your phone number that was banned.
Getting your phone number completely banned by WhatsApp is very rare. Some reasons this could occur include engaging in illegal activity, spamming at large scale, or causing harm to others. If you feel you have been unfairly banned, you can file an appeal to WhatsApp for a review of the ban.
Account Hacked
If someone else gains access to your WhatsApp account, they could change settings like your profile photo, about information, and even lock you out by enabling two-step verification. This may make it appear like you are unable to access your own WhatsApp account.
If you suspect your account has been hacked, contact WhatsApp support immediately to regain access. Also change your password and enable two-factor authentication for added security. Avoid clicking suspicious links which may have allowed your account to be hacked in the first place.
How to Fix Unable to Access WhatsApp Account
Based on the various reasons above for why you may be unable to access your WhatsApp account, here are some tips on how to fix and regain access:
- If banned or suspended, appeal to WhatsApp support and wait for them to review your case.
- Reset your password if you have forgotten it and cannot log in.
- Re-verify your phone number with a new 6 digit code if verification failed.
- Check your phone’s internet connectivity and restart your device.
- Update to the latest version of WhatsApp.
- Double check your phone number is still active and not reassigned.
- Factory reset device before trying to verify WhatsApp on a new phone.
- Restore your account from Google Drive or iCloud backup after reinstalling WhatsApp.
- Contact WhatsApp to recover a hacked account and improve security.
Preventing WhatsApp Access Issues
To avoid running into issues accessing your WhatsApp account in the future, here are some tips:
- Don’t violate WhatsApp’s terms of service to avoid bans.
- Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
- Back up your chat history regularly in case you need to restore.
- Be cautious of unknown links and downloads that could be malware.
- Keep your phone software up to date and maintain a stable internet connection.
- Don’t delete and reinstall WhatsApp frequently as it erases your account.
- Know how to reset your password in case you forget it.
- Save your verification PINs in case you need to reverify your number.
When to Seek WhatsApp Support
If you continue facing difficulties accessing your WhatsApp account even after troubleshooting the common fixes, it is best to reach out to WhatsApp support directly for assistance. Some scenarios when you should contact WhatsApp include:
- You cannot recall your password and reset link not received
- You did not back up chats and need message history recovered
- Your account was permanently banned unfairly
- You lost access to the phone number associated with your account
- You believe your account may have been hacked
- You are locked out after exceeding the registration limit
WhatsApp provides customer support through in-app chat as well as email. You can expect assistance with troubleshooting account access issues and restoring lost WhatsApp accounts where possible. Make sure to provide details like your phone number to help them locate your account.
Conclusion
Being unable to access your WhatsApp account can be frustrating. However, in many cases, the issues can be resolved by troubleshooting common problems like using incorrect passwords, verification failures, account bans, phone problems, or hacking. To avoid facing access issues in the future, be sure to follow WhatsApp’s policies, enable security options like two-factor authentication, back up your chats, and maintain a stable internet connection on your device. Seek help from WhatsApp’s customer support team if you cannot resolve the problems yourself. With the right fixes, you should be messaging again in no time.