Quick Answer
There are a few common reasons why you may not see a notification count on WhatsApp:
- You have disabled notification counts in your device settings
- You have muted or turned off notifications for specific chats or groups
- Your WhatsApp version is out of date and needs to be updated
- There is a temporary glitch or bug preventing notification counts from displaying properly
Checking your device and app settings is the first step to troubleshoot missing notification counts. Make sure counts are enabled, notifications are turned on for all necessary chats, and WhatsApp is updated to the latest version. If the problem persists, it could be a temporary technical issue that may resolve on its own.
Notification Counts Explained
The notification count on WhatsApp refers to the small numbered badge that appears on the app icon, showing how many unread messages are waiting for you. This provides a quick visual cue to let you know there are new messages without having to open the app.
Notification counts and badges are controlled by your device’s operating system and notification settings rather than the WhatsApp app itself. On both iOS and Android devices, there are system-level settings to enable or disable notification counts for all apps. There are also in-app settings within WhatsApp to control notifications for specific chats and groups.
Properly configured, the notification count should automatically update as you receive new WhatsApp messages, voice notes, videos, missed calls etc. It increments as additional notifications come in and decrements as you view messages and mark them as read. The goal is to provide an at-a-glance idea of pending activity so you know when new communication awaits.
Check OS & Device Notification Settings
If you’re not seeing WhatsApp notification counts at all, the first thing to check is your overall device or OS settings related to app badges, notification dots, and notification counts. On iOS, these are configured in Settings > Notifications. On Android devices, look in Settings > Apps & Notifications.
Specific things to verify:
- Confirm notification counts/badges are enabled at the system level.
- Ensure WhatsApp notifications are turned on globally.
- Check that WhatsApp’s notifications are not overridden by special device rules like Do Not Disturb schedules, allowing only priority interruptions, or app-specific overrides.
Rectifying any issues here is necessary for WhatsApp notification counts to have the chance to work properly. You may also want to check other apps to see if their count badges are working, to help rule out a system-wide problem.
iOS Settings to Check
On iPhone and iPad, the specific settings path is:
Settings > Notifications > Show Previews > When Unlocked
Make sure Badge App Icon is toggled on.
You can also navigate to:
Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp
And verify Allow Notifications is enabled.
Android Settings to Check
On Android, go to:
Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications
Make sure Allow notification dots is enabled.
Then check:
Settings > Apps & Notifications > WhatsApp > Notifications
And confirm all categories of notifications are turned on.
Check WhatsApp Notification Settings
Assuming counts and notifications are working properly at the device level, the next step is to look at the notification settings within WhatsApp itself.
The WhatsApp app has granular control over notifications for individual chats and groups. It’s possible to mute or turn off notifications for specific conversations while keeping them enabled for others.
To check WhatsApp notification settings:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the More Options (3 dot) menu.
- Go to Settings > Notifications.
- Review notifications for each conversation and make sure they are not disabled.
You can also long-press an individual chat, tap More > Mute to check if notifications are muted.
If you have notifications disabled for certain busy groups for example, the count will stop incrementing for those chats even if you’re still getting messages. So be sure to enable notifications across all necessary chats.
Troubleshooting Missing Chat Notification Counts
If the count is missing from only certain conversations, the cause is likely chat-specific notification settings. A few things to check:
- Notifications are not muted for the chat.
- The chat is not archived which also mutes notifications.
- You don’t have Do Not Disturb enabled for that chat.
- The conversation has not been blocked.
Review the settings for any chats with incorrect or missing notification counts to uncover and fix the issue.
Confirm You Are Running the Latest Version of WhatsApp
Like any app, WhatsApp regularly releases updated versions and bug fixes. It’s possible an outdated installation of WhatsApp could be related to incorrect notification counts.
To check for updates:
- On iPhone, go to the App Store > Tap your profile icon > Check for available updates.
- On Android, open the Play Store > Tap the hamburger menu > My Apps & Games > Check for updates.
Install any pending WhatsApp updates. The latest version may resolve bugs affecting notifications and counts. While a standard troubleshooting step, updating the app alone doesn’t always guarantee a fix. But it’s worth trying as part of the overall process.
Try Force Stopping and Clearing Cache of WhatsApp
If the WhatsApp notification count disappears or gets stuck, trying force stopping and clearing the cache can sometimes help resolve the issue.
Force stopping closes the app completely. Clearing cache deletes temporary files that may be corrupted or causing conflicts. Combined, these two actions can flush out any problematic cached data related to notifications.
On iPhone/iPad
To force stop and clear the cache on iOS:
- Double tap the Home button to show open apps.
- Swipe up on the WhatsApp app preview to fully close it.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Tap WhatsApp and then Offload App to clear cache.
- Reopen WhatsApp normally and check if notification counts return.
On Android
The steps for Android devices are:
- Open Settings > Apps & Notifications > See all apps.
- Tap WhatsApp > Force Stop to close it.
- In WhatsApp info, tap Storage & Cache > Clear Cache.
- Reopen the app and see if counts are back to normal.
Be patient and give it a few minutes to sync up properly after completing these steps.
Restart Your Phone
A simple device restart can often sort out minor glitches like notification counts not working properly in any app. Restarting clears out system memory, resets all running apps and processes, and may resolve hiccups with cached data and notification info.
To restart an iPhone or Android phone:
- iPhone – Hold Power and either Volume button until Slide to Power Off appears. Slide to turn off. Wait 30 seconds then turn back on.
- Android – Hold down Power button until the power menu pops up. Tap Restart. Confirm if prompted.
Allow a few minutes after rebooting for WhatsApp to reload and sync before checking if notifications are back to normal.
Remove and Reinstall WhatsApp
If you’ve tried all other troubleshooting steps with no success, the nuclear option is to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp completely. This wipes the app data and cache and forces a full refresh when you reinstall it.
Uninstall WhatsApp
To completely remove WhatsApp:
- iPhone – Hold finger on WhatsApp icon until icons shake. Tap the X to delete. Confirm deletion.
- Android – Open Settings > Apps & Notifications. Tap WhatsApp. Tap Uninstall. Confirm removal.
Reinstall WhatsApp
After uninstalling:
- iPhone – Open the App Store. Search for WhatsApp. Tap Get to reinstall.
- Android – Open the Play Store. Search for WhatsApp. Tap Install to download again.
Once WhatsApp is installed again, log in normally and give it time to sync conversations and notifications. Notification counts should return back to expected behavior, resolving your issue.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If you still can’t get your WhatsApp notification count back after exhausting all other options, it may be an unresolved bug or issue requiring further troubleshooting assistance from WhatsApp support:
- From WhatsApp: Open WhatsApp > Tap More Options > Help > Contact Us
- Twitter: Tweet @WhatsApp with details and screenshots
- Facebook: Visit the WhatsApp Facebook page and message Support
- Email: Send details to [email protected]
Be detailed in describing your exact notification issue, steps taken, screenshots of settings, WhatsApp version, phone model, and iOS/Android version. Their technical team may be able to isolate the cause and provide personalized troubleshooting beyond these general steps.
Conclusion
WhatsApp notification counts failing to update properly is often annoying but the issue can typically be resolved with some investigative troubleshooting. Be methodical in checking your device notification settings, WhatsApp’s chat and group notification configuration, app version, performing resets, and contacting support if needed. With consistent effort, you should be able to get your WhatsApp notification badge working again reliably.
| Troubleshooting Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Check device notification settings | Make sure counts enabled for all apps. WhatsApp notifications on. |
| Review WhatsApp notification settings | Notifications enabled for all necessary chats/groups. |
| Update WhatsApp | Install latest version from app store. |
| Force stop and clear cache | Close app fully and wipe temporary data. |
| Restart your phone | Power cycle the device. |
| Remove and reinstall WhatsApp | Deletes app data and forces fresh install. |
| Contact WhatsApp support | Get help directly from WhatsApp technicians. |