It’s not uncommon for WhatsApp users to suddenly find their app turning completely black or dark gray. This abrupt change in appearance can be jarring and concerning if you don’t know what’s going on. But don’t worry, there are a few simple explanations for why this occurs and some easy ways to get your bright green WhatsApp back.
Quick Explanations
Here are the main reasons why your WhatsApp may have suddenly gone black:
Dark Mode is Enabled
The most likely culprit is that Dark Mode has been enabled, either intentionally or accidentally. WhatsApp’s Dark Mode applies a black/dark gray theme to the entire app. It’s meant to reduce glare and eye strain when using WhatsApp in low light situations.
If you or someone else toggled on Dark Mode in your WhatsApp settings, chat screens, menus, and the background will all turn dark. This applies across both iOS and Android devices.
Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode
On Android phones specifically, having Battery Saver or a Power Saving mode enabled can also automatically trigger a darker theme. These power modes dim the screen and apply dark color schemes to save battery life.
When Power Saver switches on, it essentially forces Dark Mode in WhatsApp. Your chats will look darker until you turn Power Saver off.
The App is Glitching
In some rare cases, a software glitch may cause WhatsApp to get stuck in Dark Mode, even if you have the setting disabled. Closing and reopening the app or restarting your phone usually resolves app glitches.
If the issue persists, try reinstalling WhatsApp to clear out any corrupted cache or data. Make sure you’re running the latest version of the app as well.
How to Fix WhatsApp Black Screen
If you don’t want Dark Mode enabled, here are some troubleshooting tips to get your WhatsApp looking normal again on iOS and Android:
Check Dark Mode Settings
Open WhatsApp Settings > Chats and verify the Theme is set to Light, not Dark. This toggle turns Dark Mode on or off.
You can also go into your device’s main Settings or Display settings and confirm Dark Mode is disabled at the system level.
Turn Off Battery Saver
On Android, open Settings and disable Battery Saver or Power Saving mode. This will stop it from automatically applying darker themes to apps.
Force Close and Reopen the App
Completely close out of the WhatsApp app by swiping it away from your recent apps list. Then reopen WhatsApp to reset the app and load it afresh. This can override any glitches causing the black screen issue.
Update or Reinstall WhatsApp
Make sure WhatsApp is fully up to date by checking for updates in your device’s app store. The latest version may fix bugs behind the black screen problem.
As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your phone. This will give you a clean slate. Be sure to backup chats first so you don’t lose conversations.
Restart Your Phone
If all else fails, reboot your Android phone or iPhone. This clears out any memory issues and resets all system settings.
Why Does WhatsApp Have a Dark Mode?
While having your WhatsApp suddenly look darker can be confusing, the black/gray color scheme is actually designed to be helpful in certain situations. Here’s why Dark Mode exists:
Reduces Eye Strain
Staring at bright white screens in low light can strain your eyes. The high contrast between black text on a white background can be harsh. Enabling Dark Mode creates a darker chat interface with light text, reducing glare. This helps prevent eye fatigue and discomfort when using WhatsApp at night or in the dark.
Improves Viewing in Dim Settings
A black or gray backdrop makes it easier to see your phone’s display in environments with low ambient light. Dark Mode improves visibility when using WhatsApp in darker rooms, at night, or anywhere with shadows cast on the screen.
Saves Battery Life
On phones with OLED displays, Dark Mode helps extend battery life. Black pixels on an OLED screen consume minimal power compared to illuminated pixels. Going dark reduces power consumption and gets you more screen time per charge.
Creates a Stylish Look
Beyond the practical perks, some people simply enjoy the modern, sleek aesthetic of Dark Mode. The black color scheme gives WhatsApp a more polished, up-to-date appearance that appeals to many users.
Should I Use Dark Mode?
Dark Mode isn’t inherently better or worse than Light Mode. It comes down to personal preference and your typical WhatsApp usage conditions. Here are some benefits to keep in mind:
Pros of Using Dark Mode
- Minimizes eye strain when using WhatsApp in the dark
- Makes it easier to read your screen in low light environments
- Helps save battery life if you have an OLED display
- Provides a modern, stylish look (if you like darker themes)
Cons of Using Dark Mode
- Darker interface can feel heavy or depressing for some
- Reduces color and vibrancy of chats and media
- May make it harder to see screen in well-lit conditions
- You simply prefer the look and feel of Light Mode
So if you regularly use WhatsApp at night or in the dark, need to conserve battery, or like darker interfaces, enabling Dark Mode can be beneficial. But if you primarily use the app in bright daylight or want to maintain vibrant colors, Light Mode may suit you better.
Customizing WhatsApp Dark Mode
WhatsApp doesn’t just have a simple binary choice between Light and Dark modes. You can actually customize the intensity of Dark Mode to your liking:
Dark
The Darkest setting applies a pure black background and darker shades of gray throughout. This provides maximum contrast reduction for low light conditions.
Set by Battery Saver
This option lets your phone’s Battery Saver or Power Saving mode dictate whether Dark Mode is on. The theme switches based on your battery optimization settings.
Light
Disables Dark Mode entirely and reverts to the standard light green backgrounds and white chat bubbles.
So beyond just turning Dark Mode on or off, take advantage of these gradations to find your ideal look and color scheme on WhatsApp.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Issues
While a black screen is the most common WhatsApp problem users experience, all kinds of technical issues can pop up. Here are some other common troubleshooting scenarios and solutions:
WhatsApp Keeps Crashing
If WhatsApp constantly crashes upon opening or using it, first restart your phone and check for app updates. If the crashes persist, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. Before reinstalling, back up your conversations to restore them later.
WhatsApp Can’t Connect to the Server
A “Connecting to Server” message that won’t go away usually means you have a poor internet connection. Try force closing the app and toggling airplane mode on and off to reset your network connection. This prompting should go away once you have a stable mobile data or Wi-Fi signal.
WhatsApp Notifications Not Working
First, check that notifications are enabled for WhatsApp in your phone’s app settings. Also verify Do Not Disturb mode is disabled, as this blocks notifications. If they’re still not coming through, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to refresh the app.
WhatsApp Calls Disconnecting
Frequent dropped calls are usually due to spotty internet. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data to improve connection stability. You can also try enabling Airplane mode briefly to force WhatsApp to reconnect to the network.
WhatsApp Web Not Working
If WhatsApp Web isn’t connecting or mirroring your mobile app notifications and messages, first check your internet connection. Also scan the QR code again and be sure to use the latest version of Chrome or Firefox browser. Retry logging in and connecting devices.
WhatsApp Tips and Tricks
Beyond troubleshooting problems, there are lots of clever tips every WhatsApp user should know to get the most out of the app:
Pin Important Chats
Long press a chat, then choose Pin to always keep it at the top of your list for quick access. This prevents busy group chats from pushing down conversations you need to monitor.
Forward Messages Without Saving
When forwarding media and documents to other chats, you can avoid saving them to your phone’s storage by tapping and holding them, then dragging and releasing to the desired chat.
Recover Deleted Messages
Accidentally deleted a chat? On Android you have up to 60 days after deleting to recover expired messages and conversations from WhatsApp’s backups. Just head to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
Bold, Italicize, and Underline Text
To format your messages, place asterisks around text to make it bold (*text*), underscores to italicize (_text_), and tildes to underline (~text~). This adds emphasis when chatting.
Share Your Live Location
Feel safer sharing your real-time whereabouts with trusted contacts by tapping More > Location > Share Live Location in any chat. You can set how long they can track your location.
Speed Up Voice Messages
Feel like your friends talk too slowly in voice messages? On iOS and Android you can tap 1x on the voice seek slider to increase the playback speed to 1.5x or even 2x.
WhatsApp Business Tips
WhatsApp isn’t just for personal chats – over 50 million businesses worldwide use WhatsApp Business to engage their customers. Here are some pro tips for setting up your business on WhatsApp:
Complete Your Business Profile
Add key details like description, email, store address, and website to your WhatsApp Business profile. This gives customers context about your company when messaging you.
Set Up Quick Replies
Configure frequently asked questions and common inquiries as quick reply templates to efficiently respond to customers and save time typing.
Promote Your WhatsApp Number
Let customers know they can message your business on WhatsApp by listing your WhatsApp number on your website, ads, packaging, and storefront alongside your phone, email, and social media.
Join Related WhatsApp Communities
By joining industry-specific WhatsApp Communities, you can network with other businesses, trade advice and feedback, and keep your messaging strategies up-to-date.
Automate Chat Responses
Use third-party tools like Chatbase or Manychat to build a chatbot that can automatically send info, process orders, answer questions, and more for a smoother customer experience.
Segment Your Contacts
Organize your clients into different contact lists based on preferences like appointment reminders, shipping updates, monthly newsletters, and so on. Then tailor your broadcast messages accordingly.
Conclusion
WhatsApp going completely black can be startling but is usually nothing to worry about. In just a few taps you can override the dark theme and restore your bright green app. While jarring at first, keep in mind Dark Mode can also benefit your eyes, display readability, and battery life in the right situations.
Beyond the black screen issue, there are countless hacks and tricks to troubleshoot problems, customize settings, streamline business messaging, and become a WhatsApp power user both for personal chats and professional communication.