Quick Answer
There are a few common reasons why your WhatsApp call screen may go black during a call:
- Poor internet connection – If you or the other person on the call has a weak WiFi or mobile data connection, it can cause video freezing and black screens.
- Outdated app version – Make sure you’re both running the latest version of WhatsApp for the best call performance.
- Battery saver mode – Having battery saver enabled can sometimes interrupt WhatsApp calls and cause black screens.
- App glitch – Occasionally a technical glitch in the app itself causes black screens on calls.
To fix it, try toggling airplane mode on and off, force quitting and reopening the app, making sure WhatsApp has all permissions enabled, or uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
In-Depth Explanation
A black screen during a WhatsApp call is usually caused by some kind of interruption in your internet connectivity, a problem with the app itself, or an issue with your phone’s settings. Here is a more detailed look at some of the common causes and solutions:
Internet Connectivity Issues
WhatsApp calls require a stable internet connection to transmit audio and video smoothly between devices. If there are any disruptions to that connection, it can manifest as freezing, lag, or black screens during calls. Some connectivity issues that could lead to black screens include:
- Weak WiFi signal – If you’re connected to a WiFi network with a weak or unstable signal, you may experience call interruptions. Try moving closer to your router or turning off WiFi and using mobile data instead.
- Slow mobile data speeds – WhatsApp calls need consistent upload and download speeds of at least 128kbps. If your 4G or 5G connection is sluggish or has high latency, calls may freeze up.
- Switching between WiFi and mobile data – Your phone switching back and forth between WiFi and mobile data mid-call can cause temporary connection issues that lead to black screens.
- Network congestion – During times of heavy network usage in your area, bandwidth constraints can interfere with WhatsApp call quality and cause lag or freezing.
If connectivity seems to be the issue, try toggling airplane mode on and off to reset your network connection before making another WhatsApp call. You can also try disabling WiFi and only using mobile data, or vice versa. Moving to an area with better signal strength can help too.
Outdated App Version
Make sure both you and the person you’re calling are running the latest version of WhatsApp available in your device’s app store. WhatsApp regularly releases updates with bug fixes and performance improvements for calls.
Using an outdated version of the app is more likely to cause technical issues like black screens during calls. To update, open the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android), search for WhatsApp, and install any available updates.
Battery Saver Interference
Some Android devices have an extreme battery saver mode that restricts background app activity to conserve power. While helpful for extending battery life, this can inadvertently interrupt WhatsApp’s ability to transmit call data.
Try disabling any battery saver or power saving modes on your device before making a WhatsApp call. You can re-enable them afterwards if needed. This will rule out any battery optimization features as the cause of black screens.
Technical App Glitches
Despite WhatsApp’s testing, sometimes glitches occur in newly released versions that can briefly cause problems like black screens or audio loss during calls. Minor technical bugs that weren’t detected during testing may be quickly patched in a follow-up update.
If you notice the issue started right after updating WhatsApp, try downgrading to a previous version of the app and see if calls work normally again. You can find old APK files online for Android downgrades. On iPhone, you’ll have to wait for the next update fixing any bugs.
Permissions Issues
For WhatsApp to operate properly, it needs access to certain features and data on your phone like the camera, microphone, contacts list, and storage. If you have disabled any required permissions, it can sometimes disrupt WhatsApp calls.
Check that WhatsApp has all necessary permissions enabled in your phone’s app settings. Toggle permissions off and on again for the app, then test making a call. Granting the app the right permissions can resolve black screen issues in some cases.
Uninstalling and Reinstalling the App
If you’ve tried everything else and calls are still getting black screens, one last resort is uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp. This will clear out any corrupted cached data or software issues and give you a clean slate.
Before reinstalling, make sure to back up your WhatsApp message history either to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone). Then you can restore your chats after downloading and setting up WhatsApp again.
When to Contact WhatsApp Support
If the black screen issue persists after trying all typical troubleshooting steps, it’s a good idea to contact WhatsApp support for additional help diagnosing the problem.
Reach out to WhatsApp support if:
- The issue is happening on multiple devices on the same WiFi network
- It started immediately after a WhatsApp update
- Uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp doesn’t fix it
- You’ve confirmed no connectivity or permissions issues are causing it
WhatsApp has a contact form on their website where you can explain the call screen problem you’re experiencing and include any relevant details. Their technical support team may be able to provide specialized troubleshooting tips or determine if it’s a wider software bug.
Preventing WhatsApp Call Black Screens
While you can’t always prevent technical issues 100% of the time, here are some tips to minimize problems with black screens during WhatsApp calls:
- Use a stable WiFi or mobile data connection – Avoid making calls when signal is weak or bandwidth seems constrained.
- Disable battery saver mode – Make sure battery optimization isn’t interfering with WhatsApp.
- Update the app frequently – Install WhatsApp updates as soon as they become available.
- Reboot your phone – Power cycling can clear up some software and network issues.
- Limit multitasking – Don’t have too many other apps open and running in the background.
Following these best practices will give you the best shot at smooth, uninterrupted WhatsApp call performance.
Conclusion
Black screens during WhatsApp calls can be annoying but are usually fixable. The problem is typically caused by connectivity issues, app glitches, battery mode interference, or a permissions conflict. Try toggling airplane mode, moving locations, disabling battery saver, updating WhatsApp, reinstalling the app, or contacting WhatsApp support if the issue is hard to resolve on your own. With some diligent troubleshooting, you should be able to get WhatsApp calls working properly again.
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Weak internet connection | Toggle airplane mode, disable WiFi, switch locations |
| Outdated app version | Update WhatsApp to latest version |
| Battery saver mode | Disable battery optimization features |
| App glitch | Reinstall WhatsApp or downgrade version |
| Permissions issue | Re-enable all WhatsApp permissions |