WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. However, many users encounter issues when trying to download media files like photos, videos, documents etc. in WhatsApp. The most common error message seen is “Download was unable to complete”.
This error can occur due to various reasons which we will explore in this article. Understanding the potential causes will help you troubleshoot and resolve the download failure issue in your WhatsApp app.
Main Reasons for WhatsApp Download Failure
Here are some of the main reasons why you may see the “Download was unable to complete” error in WhatsApp:
Poor Internet Connectivity
The most obvious and common reason is poor or unstable internet connection. Downloading media files requires good bandwidth and a stable internet connection.
If you are on a low speed mobile data network or have an unstable WiFi connection, it can frequently lead to failed downloads in WhatsApp. Switching to a better internet connection often resolves this error.
Insufficient Storage Space
Media files like photos and videos can be large in size. If your phone does not have enough free storage space, WhatsApp will not be able to save the downloaded file.
Always make sure you have at least 100-200 MB of free space before trying to download media files on WhatsApp. Delete old files, photos, apps etc. to free up space.
Outdated WhatsApp Version
Sometimes an outdated version of WhatsApp may cause problems with downloading files.
WhatsApp frequently releases updates with bug fixes and performance improvements. Using the latest version of WhatsApp eliminates a lot of potential issues.
App Data Corruption
In rare cases, the app data of WhatsApp may get corrupted leading to all kinds of errors including download failures.
This can be fixed by clearing WhatsApp cache/data and reinstalling the app fresh. Make sure to backup chats before clearing data.
Restrictions from Phone Settings
Some network providers and phone manufacturers impose restrictions that prevent downloading large files over mobile data.
Check your data usage settings and turn off any restrictions that may be blocking WhatsApp downloads. Connecting to WiFi usually avoids this issue.
Temporary Server Issues
In some instances, the download failure is not caused by your phone but due to temporary issues or glitches on WhatsApp’s servers.
Trying again after some time often resolves the problem in such cases. The WhatsApp servers are optimized to handle billions of downloads per day. Server issues are rare but can occur.
How to Fix WhatsApp Download Unable to Complete Error
Based on the above reasons, here are some potential solutions and tips to resolve the download failure in WhatsApp:
1. Check your Internet Connection
First and foremost, check your internet connection and ensure you are getting good speed. Run a speedtest if possible.
Switching from mobile data to WiFi or vice versa can help. Moving closer to the WiFi router improves signal strength. Getting a stronger mobile data signal resolves network issues.
2. Restart Your Phone
In some cases, simply turning your phone off and on again refreshes all connections and services. This can fix temporary glitches causing WhatsApp downloads to fail.
3. Free Up Storage Space
Go to Settings -> Storage on Android phones to see used and available storage space. You need at least 100 MB free space.
Delete old files, photos, apps etc. that you no longer need to make space for WhatsApp downloads. Also clear WhatsApp cache from storage settings.
4. Update WhatsApp to Latest Version
On Android go to Play Store, on iPhone go to App Store and check for any WhatsApp updates. Install the latest version which may have fixed download bugs.
5. Reinstall WhatsApp
If all else fails, backup your chats and reinstall WhatsApp from scratch. This will reset all app data which could fix underlying issues. Remember to restore chats from backup after reinstall.
6. Disable Data Restrictions
Some mobile carriers restrict downloading large files over mobile data. Go to Settings -> Data Usage and disable any restrictions enabled for WhatsApp.
7. Try Again Later
For temporary glitches, retry downloading the files after some time or switching network. Server issues if any will automatically resolve after a while.
8. Contact WhatsApp Support
In rare cases where the issue persists across devices and networks, you can contact WhatsApp support for help. Describe the issue in detail along with troubleshooting steps tried.
Why Does “Download Unable to Complete” Error Occur in WhatsApp?
Now that we’ve covered potential fixes, let’s dive deeper into the main reasons why you might see failed downloads in WhatsApp even on strong networks:
Media Files Corrupted
In some cases, the media file you are trying to download itself may have gotten corrupted or truncated during transfer. Resending the file can work.
Transfer Interrupted
If the internet disconnects even briefly during an ongoing download, it will fail with this error. Try downloading again in a stable connection.
Server Maintenance
WhatsApp servers undergo routine maintenance and upgrades fairly often. This can temporarily impact file transfers.
Bugs and Glitches
Despite extensive testing, bugs still inevitably slip through that can cause downloads to fail until fixed in future updates.
Unauthorized Downloads
Trying to download files shared in WhatsApp Groups that you left or don’t have access to will result in failed downloads.
File Too Large
WhatsApp has a file transfer limit of 100 MB. Downloading media larger than that will fail with an error.
Low Phone Resources
If your phone is running low on battery, storage or RAM, it can have trouble completing downloads due to lack of resources.
Unsupported Media Types
WhatsApp may impose restrictions on downloading certain file types that it does not support natively.
How to Prevent Failed Downloads in WhatsApp
Following some best practices can help minimize download issues in WhatsApp:
Keep Enough Free Storage
Having at least 500 MB of free space ensures WhatsApp has enough temporary space for transfers.
Download Over WiFi
Use WiFi instead of mobile data whenever possible, it offers more stable transfers.
Avoid Multitasking
Don’t use other heavy apps during ongoing WhatsApp transfers to maximize resource availability.
Update to Latest Version
Always keep WhatsApp updated since new versions fix old bugs and issues.
Disable Battery Saver
Battery saver modes restrict background transfers so disable them temporarily.
Restart Your Phone
Periodically restarting your phone clears app caches and keeps things running smoothly.
What to Do if WhatsApp Download Gets Stuck?
Sometimes rather than completely fail, a WhatsApp download can get stuck halfway for a long time. Here is what to do in such cases:
Check Notification Bar
Ongoing and paused downloads appear in the notification bar. Check if the download is still progressing or paused.
Force Stop WhatsApp
Force stop WhatsApp from settings and clear cache. Then start WhatsApp again and retry the download.
Reboot Your Phone
Restarting the phone may help if the download is stuck due to a software glitch or resource bottleneck.
Delete and Redownload
Delete the stuck incomplete download from WhatsApp and ask the sender to resend the file again.
Enable Airplane Mode
Sometimes toggling airplane mode OFF and ON refreshes network connections and resumes stuck transfers.
Clear File Transfer Queue
WhatsApp queues multiple file transfers. Failing media may block the queue. Clear the queue and download one by one.
Conclusion
We hope this detailed guide covered all the potential reasons for failed downloads in WhatsApp and the possible solutions to get them working again. The problem is usually easily solvable by improving network conditions, freeing up phone storage, updating the app or reinstalling if necessary.
Avoid trying to download files when connectivity is unstable or storage space is low to prevent frustrating download failures when transferring your important media files and documents. Let us know if you have any other tips to share to resolve WhatsApp downloads getting stuck or unable to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does WhatsApp say waiting to download when I try to download media?
The “waiting to download” message typically indicates that there are multiple files queued up for download in WhatsApp. Wait for the earlier downloads to complete or clear the download queue and try again.
How can I increase WhatsApp download speed?
Use WiFi instead of mobile data, disable battery saver, close other apps, update WhatsApp to latest version, restart your phone, and clear cache to help increase WhatsApp download speeds.
Why does my WhatsApp media download get interrupted?
WhatsApp downloads can get interrupted due to poor network connectivity, low phone storage, other apps using resources, enabling battery saver mode or phone overheating due to heavy usage.
Why does WhatsApp use so much data when downloading media?
WhatsApp does not compress media much during transfer so photos and videos consume data equivalent to their actual file sizes. Downloading over WiFi helps reduce mobile data usage.
How do I find my pending WhatsApp downloads?
You can view pending and ongoing WhatsApp downloads in the notification bar. Alternatively, go to WhatsApp Settings – Data and Storage Usage – Media Auto Download to see pending downloads.
What happens if I delete a WhatsApp media that is still downloading?
Deleting a media file that is still downloading will cancel and remove the partial download. You will have to ask the sender to resend the media again if needed.
How do I clear the WhatsApp download queue?
On Android: Settings – Data and Storage Usage – Media Auto Download – FAILED tab – Select all – Delete
On iPhone: Settings – Storage and Data – Transfer – Failed – Select all – Delete
Why does my WhatsApp download get stuck at 100%?
If a WhatsApp download gets stuck at 100%, first check if it is still progressing minimally in the notification bar. If not, force stop WhatsApp, clear cache and reboot your phone to resolve it.
How do I find the download location of WhatsApp media files?
On Android, go to WhatsApp Settings – Chats – Media visibility and the download location is shown. On iPhone, go to Settings – General – iPhone Storage to see WhatsApp media files.