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Why can’t I open WhatsApp Web on Mac?

If you are unable to open WhatsApp Web on your Mac, there are a few possible reasons and solutions to try. In this article, we will go over the most common issues that prevent WhatsApp Web from working properly on Mac and provide troubleshooting steps to get it working again.

Requirements for Using WhatsApp Web

Before diving into specific issues, let’s first go over the requirements for using WhatsApp Web:

  • An active Internet connection on your Mac.
  • The latest version of the Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge web browser installed on your Mac.
  • The WhatsApp mobile app installed on your phone and an active account.
  • Your phone needs to be connected to the Internet.

As long as these requirements are met, you should be able to successfully use WhatsApp Web on your Mac. Now let’s look at some potential reasons why WhatsApp Web may not be working properly.

Your Mac is Not Connected to the Internet

One of the most obvious reasons Why can’t I open WhatsApp Web on Mac is that your Mac is not connected to the Internet. For WhatsApp Web to work, your Mac needs to be connected to the web to sync messages with your phone.

To check your Internet connection on a Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top menu bar. Make sure it says “Connected” and shows some signal strength bars next to a network name. If you see “No Internet connection” or no network name, you will need to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.

Some things to try:

  • Restart your Wi-Fi router and Mac.
  • Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on in System Preferences > Network.
  • Toggle your Wi-Fi off and on again on your Mac.
  • Forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect.
  • Reset network settings under System Preferences > Network.
  • Check for cable issues if using Ethernet.

Once you have restored your Internet connection, try launching WhatsApp Web again.

The WhatsApp Mobile App is Not Connected

In order for WhatsApp Web to sync your chats and messages, the WhatsApp app must be connected to the Internet on your phone. If your phone loses its Internet connection, WhatsApp Web will stop working.

To rule out this issue, launch the WhatsApp app on your phone and check that you are connected and can send/receive messages. Try toggling Airplane mode on and off on your phone to get the mobile data or Wi-Fi working again.

Also make sure background app refreshing is enabled for WhatsApp under your phone Settings, so it can maintain a connection even when you aren’t using it.

QR Code Not Scanned

When first setting up WhatsApp Web, you need to scan the QR code displayed on the web app using your phone’s camera. This pairs your phone with that particular browser session.

If you did not successfully scan the code, or the pairing got broken, WhatsApp Web will fail to work or get stuck trying to load.

To resolve this, open WhatsApp Web and scan the new QR code with your phone again. Make sure to allow camera access when prompted so WhatsApp can scan the code. This should re-pair your devices.

Browser Compatibility Issues

WhatsApp Web may fail to work properly, or buttons may be missing, if you are using an unsupported or outdated web browser. WhatsApp Web works fully only on the latest versions of Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Edge.

To rule out browser issues, try launching WhatsApp Web in a different supported browser. If it works in one browser but not another, you likely need to update or change your browser.

Some things to try:

  • Update your browser to the newest version.
  • Try different browsers like Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Edge.
  • Clear the browser cache and cookies.
  • Restart your web browser.

Connection Problems over VPN/Proxy

If you access the Internet through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or proxy server, it could disrupt WhatsApp Web’s connectivity.

Try turning off your VPN or proxy temporarily to see if that allows WhatsApp Web to work normally. You may need to adjust VPN/proxy settings to resolve any WebRTC or network conflicts with WhatsApp’s protocols.

Webcam or Microphone Access Disabled

WhatsApp Web requires access to your computer’s webcam and microphone to make video and voice calls. If your browser prompts you to allow access, make sure to click Accept or Allow when asked.

You can also check your browser settings for any previously blocked camera/mic access for the WhatsApp Web site and turn permissions back on.

Poor Network Connection

In some cases, WhatsApp Web may partially work but is slow or glitchy due to a poor Internet connection. Try switching Wi-Fi networks or moving your computer closer to the router for a stronger signal.

Restarting your modem and router can also help clear up any network issues interfering with WhatsApp Web. Check for any high network usage from other devices that may be congesting your connection.

Outdated WhatsApp Version

Make sure you are running the latest version of the WhatsApp app on your phone. WhatsApp frequently releases updates with bug fixes and improvements that could help WhatsApp Web work better.

On an iPhone, go to the App Store and check for any WhatsApp updates. On Android, go to the Play Store and check for updates. Update and relaunch WhatsApp to get the latest version.

Corrupt App Files or Data

In rare cases, corrupt app files or data could prevent WhatsApp Web from working properly until they are cleared out.

On an iPhone, try reinstalling WhatsApp from the App Store. On Android, clear app data and cache for WhatsApp under Settings or reinstall it.

Also try fully force quitting and relaunching the WhatsApp and web browser apps to clear out any corrupt temporary data.

Web.whatsapp.com Blocked

If your network has firewall restrictions, it’s possible the domain for WhatsApp Web (web.whatsapp.com) is blocked and prevents access. Contact your network administrator to allowlist the WhatsApp Web domain.

Two-Step Verification Enabled

If you have two-step verification enabled in WhatsApp, you need to generate an app-specific password for WhatsApp Web login. Using your normal verification code will not work.

Go into WhatsApp Settings > Two-step verification and create an app password to enter on WhatsApp Web when prompted.

Incorrect Date/Time on Computer

WhatsApp requires your computer’s date and time settings to be accurate in order to sync properly with your phone. Incorrect date or time values could lead to errors.

Check that the date and time are correct on your Mac. Go to System Preferences > Date & Time and set the automatic setting using a network time server.

Conflict with Software like Antivirus

Some third party antivirus, firewall, VPN, or security software can block WhatsApp Web’s traffic or cause conflicts. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus entirely or adding an exception for WhatsApp Web.

Website Cookies Disabled

Your browser needs cookies enabled to store the session information for WhatsApp Web. Make sure cookies are not blocked for the site.

In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and site data > See all cookies and site data, and make sure WhatsApp Web is allowed.

Poor Computer Performance

Using WhatsApp Web on a very old computer with outdated specs can lead to poor performance. WebRTC requires a decent processor, RAM, and graphics capability.

Try closing other resource heavy applications to free up computing power for WhatsApp Web. Or use WhatsApp Web on a newer computer if available.

Browser or OS Out of Date

Very old operating systems or browsers that no longer receive updates may not work properly with newer WhatsApp Web versions.

Make sure your Mac is running the latest OS such as macOS Monterey. And keep your browser updated to the newest version.

Phone Overheating

If your phone overheats while using WhatsApp and WhatsApp Web simultaneously, it could cause connectivity issues between the two. Let your phone cool off before trying again.

Clean out dust from your phone ports and make sure the OS and WhatsApp app are up to date on your phone as well.

WebRTC Protocol Blocked

WhatsApp uses WebRTC protocols for real-time communication between your phone and computer. If WebRTC is blocked, call features will not work.

Try using a different network to see if WebRTC works. Contact your network admin to allowlist WebRTC protocols.

Phone Battery Saver/Data Saver Enabled

If your phone has Battery Saver or Data Saver modes enabled, it could interrupt WhatsApp Web connectivity. Disable these modes and try again.

Logout from All Devices

As a last resort, you can log out of WhatsApp from all devices by going to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices > Logout from All Devices on your phone.

This will force reconnect your phone from scratch. Scan the QR code again the next time you open WhatsApp Web.

Factory Reset Your Phone

If nothing else works, backup your phone and perform a factory reset. This will wipe your phone and install a clean OS that should work perfectly with WhatsApp Web on first setup.

Resetting your phone fixes any underlying software issues that may interfere with WhatsApp Web. Just make sure to backup so you can restore your data afterwards.

Conclusion

WhatsApp Web not working on Mac can be frustrating, but the issue is usually caused by something simple like an Internet connectivity problem or outdated app version. Going through the troubleshooting steps above should help identify and fix the specific issue you are facing.

The most common solutions are checking your Internet connections, restarting devices, updating apps, re-scanning the QR code, and using supported modern browsers. With a bit of trial and error, you should be able to get WhatsApp Web successfully up and running on your Mac.