WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in the world, used by over 2 billion people. However, many users face issues with WhatsApp notifications not working properly. There are several potential reasons why your WhatsApp notifications may keep stopping.
Your Internet Connection
The most common reason for WhatsApp notifications not working is an unstable internet connection. WhatsApp requires an active internet connection to receive notifications in real-time. Here are some internet connection-related reasons for notification issues:
- Weak WiFi signal
- Slow mobile data speed
- Switching between WiFi and mobile data
- Network congestion or outage
If your internet is slow, congested or keeps disconnecting, WhatsApp will struggle to fetch notifications. Try moving closer to your WiFi router or switching to a faster mobile data network.
Your Phone’s Settings
Problems with your phone’s settings can also disrupt WhatsApp notifications. Here are some things to check in your phone settings:
- Disable Battery Optimization: Many Android phones try to limit background battery usage by stopping notifications for inactive apps. Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Battery and disable battery optimization.
- Disable Power Saving Mode: This mode stops background apps from fetching data. Turn it off or whitelist WhatsApp.
- Notification Access: Check that WhatsApp has notification access enabled under Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Notifications.
- Do Not Disturb: The DND mode will mute all notifications. Add WhatsApp as an exception if you want.
WhatsApp App Issues
In some cases, problems with the WhatsApp app itself could lead to notification issues:
- Buggy update – An recent app update may have bugs affecting notifications. Try uninstalling updates.
- Corrupt cache – Clear the app cache from Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage.
- App crash – Force stop the app if it is crashed or frozen.
As a last resort, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the app to fix any persistent bugs.
WhatsApp Account Settings
There are also some account settings related to notifications that you can check:
- Mute Conversations: You can mute specific chats instead of all notifications.
- Turn Off Read Receipts: Disable read receipts if you don’t want senders to see when you’ve read.
- Turn Off Last Seen: You can hide your last seen time from contacts.
- Turn Off Media Auto-Download: Stop automatic media downloads to save data usage.
Adjust your WhatsApp notification settings according to your preferences for the best experience.
Phone Do Not Disturb Mode
Your phone’s Do Not Disturb mode could also be blocking WhatsApp notifications. Here’s what to check:
- Make sure WhatsApp is allowed as an exception in DND settings.
- Check your DND schedule – notifications may be muted during certain hours.
- See if DND was enabled manually or by automation like Driving mode.
- On iPhone, enable ‘Always’ notifications under WhatsApp’s notification settings to bypass DND.
Customize DND as per your needs and whitelist important apps like WhatsApp for uninterrupted notifications.
Outdated WhatsApp Version
Using an outdated version of WhatsApp can also lead to problems with notifications due to lack of latest bug fixes and features. Follow these tips to keep WhatsApp updated:
- Enable auto-update for WhatsApp in your phone’s app store settings.
- Manually check for WhatsApp updates in the app store regularly and install them.
- Allow WhatsApp to update over both WiFi and mobile data to avoid delays.
- Update your phone’s operating system for access to latest app updates.
Avoid using old WhatsApp versions as they may have notification bugs that are already fixed in newer versions. Stay updated for the best experience.
Notification Settings for WhatsApp Web/Desktop
If you have linked WhatsApp Web or Desktop to your mobile account, you need to enable browser notifications for proper functioning. Follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp Web > Click on the Settings icon > Notifications.
- Allow notifications and play notification sounds if needed.
- Check notification settings in your browser and allow WhatsApp to send notifications.
- On desktop app, enable notifications in Windows/Mac notification settings.
Configuring notifications for WhatsApp Web/Desktop ensures you never miss a message even when away from your phone.
Conclusion
WhatsApp notifications suddenly stopping can be annoying, but the issue is usually caused by a minor technical glitch or configuration error. Start troubleshooting by checking your internet connection, phone and app settings, notification permissions, Do Not Disturb mode and WhatsApp account muting preferences. Also ensure WhatsApp is updated to the latest version across all devices. With some diligent checks, you should be able to resolve the notification issues and prevent future disruption of your WhatsApp messaging.