WhatsApp has become one of the most widely used messaging apps across the world. With over 2 billion active users, it has become an integral part of our daily communication. However, many WhatsApp users often find their app suddenly go into silent mode with no notifications for incoming messages. There can be several reasons for WhatsApp’s notifications getting muted on your phone.
You have enabled Do Not Disturb mode on your phone
One of the most common reasons for WhatsApp notifications not coming through is that the Do Not Disturb mode is enabled on your phone. When this mode is turned on, you will not get any notifications from any app on your device, including WhatsApp. This is an in-built feature on Android and iOS devices to silence all notifications when you do not want to be disturbed – like at night or during work hours.
To check if DND mode is enabled, go to Settings > Sounds (or Notifications) and see if Do Not Disturb is switched on. If yes, switch it off and your WhatsApp notifications should come through again. You can also customize DND settings to allow calls or messages from specific contacts even in DND mode.
Your phone is set to silent or vibrate only
Another obvious reason for no WhatsApp notifications is that your phone is set to a silent or vibrate only ringtone. When the phone is in silent mode, no sounds will play for any notifications from any app.
To check this, look for the ringtone/notification volume setting in your phone’s Settings or drag down the notification tray at the top and check if the sound mode is set to silent or vibrate. Switch it back to sound mode and WhatsApp notifications sound will be enabled.
Notifications are turned off for WhatsApp
Sometimes WhatsApp notifications may be selectively turned off on your device. You can disable notifications for individual apps in your device settings. So WhatsApp notifications being silenced is likely because you have disabled notifications specifically for WhatsApp.
To check this, go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Notifications and see if they are disabled. Tap on the toggle to enable WhatsApp notifications. You can also choose to enable just high priority notifications if you don’t want to receive too many.
Do Not Disturb settings for WhatsApp
Within WhatsApp settings itself, you can set Do Not Disturb timings and mute notifications during those hours. This will override your device notification settings just for WhatsApp. So even if general DND is off, WhatsApp notifications may be muted due to app-specific DND settings.
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb and check if DND timings are set for WhatsApp. You can disable DND to always receive WhatsApp notifications.
Notifications disabled for WhatsApp chats or groups
You can selectively mute notifications for specific WhatsApp chats and groups. This means you will not get any notification from conversations that you have muted within WhatsApp, even if general WhatsApp notifications are enabled.
To check for muted chats, go to WhatsApp > Menu > Muted chats. See if any conversations are muted and unmute them if needed. You can also mute or unmute by opening any chat and tapping the mute icon in the top right corner.
Issue with notification settings on your phone
In rare cases, there may be some issue with the notification settings on your Android or iOS device that could prevent WhatsApp notifications from coming through. Things to check for this:
- Restart your phone and check if WhatsApp notifications are working.
- Ensure notification access is enabled for WhatsApp in Settings.
- Check OS battery optimization settings are not blocking WhatsApp.
- Toggle WhatsApp notifications in Settings off and on again.
- Update to the latest OS version if an update is available.
Update WhatsApp to the latest version
Having an outdated version of WhatsApp can also be a reason for notifications not coming through properly. Ensure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
On Android, go to Play Store > My Apps > WhatsApp and check for an Update option. On iOS, go to App Store > Account > Check for WhatsApp update.
Reinstall WhatsApp
If everything else fails, try uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp as a last resort. This will clear out any corrupted files or data that could be preventing notifications from coming through correctly.
Remember to back up your WhatsApp chats before uninstalling so you can restore them easily after reinstalling WhatsApp. This should resolve any anomalous issues with the app and enable notifications.
Conclusion
WhatsApp notifications not coming through is usually easily fixable. The most common reasons are Do Not Disturb mode enabled, phone set to silent/vibrate, notifications disabled for WhatsApp, or specific chats muted within WhatsApp. Checking these settings both at a device level and within the WhatsApp app can help troubleshoot and fix the issue.
Rarely, some notification bug or outdated app version may be the culprit. Updating WhatsApp, toggling notification settings off and on, even reinstalling the app can help resolve it. With WhatsApp being such an important communication mode for many, this handy guide will help keep your WhatsApp pings buzzing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my WhatsApp muted when my phone is not on silent?
If your phone’s ringtone volume is not silent but WhatsApp is still muted, it is likely due to notification settings for WhatsApp itself. Check if Do Not Disturb is enabled within WhatsApp settings or notifications are disabled for specific chats.
How do I unmute WhatsApp on iPhone?
To unmute WhatsApp notifications on iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp and toggle on Allow Notifications. You can also unmute specific chats by opening chat and tapping the mute icon in top right corner.
Why are my WhatsApp messages not showing?
WhatsApp messages may not show if notifications are disabled or specific chats are muted. Check settings to enable WhatsApp notifications and unmute any conversations as needed. Also ensure internet connection is working fine.
How do I turn off mute for WhatsApp?
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb and disable or remove any mute timings set. Also go to Muted Chats and unmute any conversations. Toggle ‘Allow Notifications’ in device settings for WhatsApp.
Why are my WhatsApp notifications delayed?
Delayed WhatsApp notifications usually happen due to battery optimization settings on Android restricting WhatsApp in background. Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp in Android Settings to receive notifications instantly.
WhatsApp Notification Settings
| Setting | Where to check |
|---|---|
| Do Not Disturb | Device settings & WhatsApp settings |
| Silent/Vibrate Mode | Device sound settings |
| WhatsApp Notifications | App notifications in device settings |
| Muted Chats | WhatsApp Muted Chats |
| Do Not Disturb Timings | WhatsApp Settings > Notifications |
| Battery Optimization | Android Settings > Apps > WhatsApp |
Troubleshooting When WhatsApp Notifications Not Coming
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Do Not Disturb enabled | Disable DND in device or WhatsApp settings |
| Silent mode ON | Change device sound mode to general/vibrate |
| WhatsApp notifications off | Enable notifications for WhatsApp in device settings |
| Specific chats muted | Unmute conversations in WhatsApp |
| WhatsApp DND timings set | Remove DND schedule in WhatsApp settings |
| Notifications delayed | Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp (Android) |
| Update available | Update WhatsApp to latest version |
| Potential bug | Reinstall WhatsApp as last resort |
Preventing WhatsApp from Muting in Future
Here are some tips to ensure WhatsApp remains unmuted when you need notifications:
- Disable DND on device or limit to certain hours only
- Disable WhatsApp DND or mute specific chats only
- Mark WhatsApp as a priority app for notifications in device settings
- Disable battery optimizations for WhatsApp to prevent delays
- Enable pop on screen and sounds for WhatsApp notifications
- Always update WhatsApp and OS to latest version
- Set automatic backup to avoid losing data if you reinstall WhatsApp
Keeping these best practices in mind will help avoid situations where your WhatsApp goes silent when you need to receive messages and notifications from your contacts.
Conclusion
WhatsApp notifications not coming through can be frustrating but is mostly easily resolvable. The key is to methodically check settings at both device and app level to identify where the muting is happening. Toggling notification settings for WhatsApp on/off or reinstalling the app can also help fix underlying issues.
Setting your phone out of silent mode, limiting use of Do Not Disturb, selectively muting conversations, and updating WhatsApp regularly will ensure you never miss an important WhatsApp message again.