WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It offers end-to-end encryption for messages, videos, photos, and files sent between users. One of WhatsApp’s key features is the ability to backup chats to cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud. This allows you to restore chats if you lose your phone or switch devices. However, sometimes WhatsApp may display “unable to backup” errors that prevent backing up your messages.
Main Reasons for WhatsApp Backup Failure
There are several potential reasons why WhatsApp cannot backup your messages successfully:
- Insufficient storage space on your phone or in the cloud
- Outdated WhatsApp version
- Network connectivity issues
- Issues with your Google account authentication
- Corrupted backup files
- Third-party apps interfering with WhatsApp
- Incorrect date/time settings on your phone
Let’s explore these main causes in more detail.
Insufficient Storage Space
One of the most common reasons for WhatsApp backup failure is not having enough free storage space on your phone or in your cloud storage. WhatsApp backups can take up significant storage, especially if you have years of chat history.
WhatsApp requires up to 1.5GB of free space on your phone to complete a backup. Meanwhile, your cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud also needs sufficient free space for storing backup files. For Android users, WhatsApp backs up to your Google Drive account which has limited free storage of 15GB.
If either your phone storage or cloud storage is full or nearly full, WhatsApp cannot backup your messages until you free up space. You may see “Unable to backup” or “Not enough storage space” errors.
Solutions
- Delete old photos, videos, files, and apps on your phone to free up internal storage
- Upgrade your Google Drive or iCloud storage plan to get more backup capacity
- Temporarily reduce chat backup size in WhatsApp settings
- Manually delete old WhatsApp backup files stored in your cloud storage
Outdated WhatsApp Version
Having an outdated version of WhatsApp can also lead to backup failures. WhatsApp frequently releases new updates with bug fixes and features improvements.
If you are using an old version that has known backup bugs, then “unable to backup” errors may occur. The backup process relies on code working properly, so any bugs or glitches can prevent successful backup.
Solutions
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version available in your device’s app store
- Turn on auto-update for WhatsApp so you always have the newest version
- Manually check for WhatsApp updates periodically and install them
Network Connectivity Issues
WhatsApp requires an active internet connection to communicate with the servers and backup your messages. Any network connectivity problems will disrupt the backup process.
Common connectivity issues include:
- No internet connection or weak/intermittent signal
- Switching between WiFi and cellular data during backup
- VPNs, firewalls, or proxy settings interfering with WhatsApp traffic
- Outages or service disruptions from your internet provider
Without consistent access to the internet, WhatsApp cannot upload your backup file to the cloud. You may encounter errors like “Connecting to network failed”.
Solutions
- Move to an area with stronger WiFi or cellular signal when backing up
- Disable VPNs, firewalls, proxy settings temporarily during backup
- Connect to a different WiFi network or switch to mobile data
- Check for internet outages in your area from service provider
Google Account Authentication Issues
For Android users, WhatsApp relies on your Google account for cloud backup storage on Google Drive. Any problems authenticating your Google account when backing up can lead to errors.
This commonly happens if you added or removed a Google account on your device. WhatsApp may still be linked to an old account that no longer exists or has sync issues.
You may see general errors like “Unable to backup” or Google-specific errors like “Error backing up to Google Drive”.
Solutions
- Ensure you are logged into the correct Google account on your Android device
- Unlink then re-link your Google account in WhatsApp settings
- Check your Google account credentials and login again if needed
- Remove old Google accounts that may be causing sync conflicts
Corrupted Backup Files
In rare cases, the backup files themselves maintained by WhatsApp may become corrupted or damaged. This prevents WhatsApp from reading them to complete the backup process properly.
Potential sources of backup file corruption include:
- Buggy WhatsApp update that impacts backup files
- Unexpected shutdown/reboot during a backup
- Cyber attack or hacking that compromises backup integrity
- Cloud sync errors altering backup files
Typical error messages you may see include “Backup corrupt” or “Damaged backup”.
Solutions
- Delete current backup and restart fresh backup
- Update WhatsApp to latest version if bugs are causing corruption
- Enable enhanced cybersecurity protection on your devices
- Check cloud storage for potential file sync conflicts
Third-Party App Interference
Some third-party apps, especially memory cleaners, security apps, or app cloners can interfere with WhatsApp’s normal functioning and disrupt the backup process.
If these apps aggressively clear cache/data, block permissions, or otherwise impact WhatsApp, it may lead to backup failures with unclear errors like “Unable to backup at this time”.
Solutions
- Check for any third-party apps that may be blocking WhatsApp
- Disable/uninstall identified apps causing potential issues
- Reset app preferences for WhatsApp after removing problem apps
- Do not install untrusted third-party apps that make unauthorized changes
Incorrect Date and Time Settings
WhatsApp relies on your device’s date and time settings being correct in order to function properly. If your date or time is inaccurate, it can negatively impact the backup process.
Potential sources of incorrect date/time configuration include:
- Manual clock changes
- Time zone settings being wrong
- Issues with automatic time syncing via network
- Low phone battery causing date/time resets
You may encounter generic WhatsApp errors like “Unable to create backup” due to the date/time problems.
Solutions
- Enable “Automatic date & time” and “Automatic time zone” in device settings
- Double check time zone is set properly for your region
- Sync date/time again manually via network if needed
- Avoid manually changing date/time unless essential
How to Fix WhatsApp Backup Not Working
Based on the reasons above, here are the key troubleshooting steps to resolve WhatsApp backup failures and get your messages backing up again:
- Check your phone storage and clean up space if needed
- Check cloud storage space and upgrade plan if required
- Confirm you have stable WiFi or cellular data connectivity
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version available
- On Android, re-authenticate your Google account in WhatsApp settings
- Disable/remove any problematic third-party apps
- Reset WhatsApp preferences after removing other apps
- Ensure date & time settings are automatic and correct
- Manually delete current backup and restart fresh backup
- Contact WhatsApp support if issues persist after trying solutions
How to Prevent WhatsApp Backup Issues
You can take proactive measures to help avoid WhatsApp backup problems:
- Enable auto-updates for WhatsApp so it stays up-to-date
- Regularly clear your phone’s storage and remove unneeded files
- Use WiFi for consistent connectivity when backing up
- Check backup settings and adjust backup frequency and size as needed
- Turn on automatic time zone & date/time settings on your device
- Be cautious installing third-party apps that may impact WhatsApp
- Set reminder to periodically review and clean up cloud storage usage
Alternative Ways to Backup WhatsApp Messages
If you continue struggling to get WhatsApp’s built-in backup working, here are some alternative methods to preserve your chat history:
- Email or export conversations to yourself or save them to a document
- Use a third-party backup tool or WhatsApp transfer app
- Capture screenshots of important messages to store offline
- Copy and paste key conversations into another app to save
- Note down or print out must-save text using old-fashioned methods
While not as convenient as WhatsApp’s native backup, these approaches can let you salvage your chat history when backups fail repeatedly.
When to Seek Further WhatsApp Support
If you have thoroughly tried all applicable troubleshooting steps but WhatsApp backup remains unsuccessful, it’s time to contact WhatsApp for additional support.
Reach out to WhatsApp’s support team via chat or email at https://faq.whatsapp.com/contact/. Be ready to provide:
- Your WhatsApp number
- Your device make and model
- Screenshots of any error messages
- Details of steps you’ve tried to fix the issue
WhatsApp can investigate further based on your details and logs from your account. They may suggest additional specialized troubleshooting steps not listed above.
If your issue is due to a wider problem on WhatsApp’s side, reporting it will also help WhatsApp identify and resolve the bug faster.
Conclusion
WhatsApp backup failing can be annoying and concerning when you risk losing your chat history. In most cases, simple fixes like freeing up storage, updating WhatsApp, or adjusting settings is all that’s needed.
Rarer causes like corrupted backups or third-party app conflicts may require advanced troubleshooting but can also be addressed. With the right solutions, you can get WhatsApp backing up your messages again reliably.
Be proactive by maintaining your phone’s storage, installing WhatsApp updates promptly, and checking backup settings. Seek extra support from WhatsApp if you’ve tried all troubleshooting methods without success.
Using the tips in this article, you can minimize frustrating “unable to backup” errors and keep your precious WhatsApp chats protected.