Having low volume on WhatsApp video calls can be frustrating. There are a few common reasons why WhatsApp video call volume may be lower than expected and some troubleshooting steps you can try to fix it.
Quick Overview of Main Reasons
Here are some of the most common reasons for low video call volume on WhatsApp:
- Your phone’s ringer/media volume is low
- The other caller’s volume is low
- Poor internet connection causing audio issues
- Issues with your phone speaker
- WhatsApp audio settings need adjustment
In most cases, low WhatsApp call volume can be fixed with some simple troubleshooting on your phone’s settings or audio configuration. Read on for detailed explanations and solutions for each of these common issues.
Check Your Phone’s Ringer and Media Volume
The first thing to check is your phone’s ringer and media volume. Low system volume will affect all audio coming from your phone, including WhatsApp video calls.
To check your volume settings on an iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics
- Drag the ringer and media volume sliders to the desired level
On an Android phone:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap Sound > Volume
- Drag the media and ringer volume sliders to adjust
Make sure volume is turned up high enough to hear WhatsApp calls clearly. Check ringtone volume too in case your phone is switching to ringtone speaker.
Increase Volume on Other Caller’s Device
In some cases, the issue may be that the volume on the other caller’s phone is set too low. Ask them to turn up the volume on their end for better audibility.
They can adjust the media and ringer volume using the same steps outlined above for iPhone and Android devices.
Check for Network Connectivity Issues
Poor internet connection can also cause low audio and video quality on WhatsApp calls. Calls over WiFi tend to have better quality than cellular network calls.
Here are some tips for improving connectivity:
- Move closer to your WiFi router if connected to WiFi
- Restart your phone and router if network is unstable
- Switch from cellular data to WiFi connection
- Try turning off Bluetooth and background apps to optimize bandwidth
If you can’t connect to WiFi, be sure to check your cellular signal strength. Move closer to a window or outside if inside a building to improve signal. Network issues are a common cause of poor call quality.
Inspect Your Phone Speaker
Hardware issues with your phone’s speaker can also sometimes cause low volume on calls.
Inspect the speaker at the top of your phone for any debris blocking sound or damage to the grills. Use a soft brush to gently clean out any dust or dirt clogging the speaker.
If the speaker is damaged or cracked, you may need to replace it to restore full volume capacity. Most local phone repair shops can handle speaker replacement and diagnose other underlying hardware issues.
Adjust WhatsApp Audio Settings
WhatsApp also has some audio and call settings you can customize within the app itself:
- Open WhatsApp > Tap More options > Settings > Calls
- Toggle “Loudspeaker” on to enable hands-free speaker audio
- Tap “Default Call Volume” and drag slider to increase
You can also go into WhatsApp Settings > Storage and Data then clear the cache and data which can help resolve audio issues.
Be aware clearing data will delete your WhatsApp chats so backup any important messages first!
Try Different Headphones or Earphones
Using headphones or earphones can help boost the volume on WhatsApp video calls. The microphone and speakers on headphones tend to provide better sound quality than phone speakers alone.
Try wired earbuds with an in-line mic for taking WhatsApp calls. Or use wireless Bluetooth headphones paired to your phone. This bypasses your phone’s built-in speaker which could be the cause of low volume issues.
Update Your WhatsApp App
Outdated versions of WhatsApp can suffer from bugs and glitches that affect audio quality. Make sure you’re running the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
On iPhone, go to the App Store and check for any WhatsApp updates. On Android, check the Play Store for updates. Tap Update or Install to download the newest version of the app.
Restart your phone after updating for the changes to take effect. This will ensure you’re running the optimal version of WhatsApp.
Contact Your Phone Carrier
For recurring audio issues, you can also contact your cellular carrier for troubleshooting help. There may be problems with the phone line or SIM card impacting call quality.
Your carrier can run diagnostics, check coverage in your area, and provide guidance for improving call connectivity on the network.
Reset Network Settings
As a last resort, try resetting your phone’s network settings to factory default. This will clear any problematic configurations that could be affecting WhatsApp call audio.
On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset WiFi, Bluetooth and cellular settings so you’ll need to reconnect.
On Android, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset WiFi, Mobile & Bluetooth. You’ll have to set up wireless connections again after resetting.
Get Your Phone’s Audio Hardware Serviced
If you’ve tried all other troubleshooting tips with no improvement, the issue may be a hardware problem requiring phone service. Symptoms could include no audio at all from speakers, muffled or distorted sound, echo feedback, and more.
Take your device to a repair shop to have the speaker, microphone, and audio components inspected. Repair or replacement of damaged hardware should restore proper WhatsApp call volume and audio quality.
Conclusion
Low WhatsApp call volume can be annoying but is usually fixable. Start by checking your phone’s volume settings, network connectivity, WhatsApp audio configurations, and any obstructions in the speaker. Update the app, use headphones, or reset network settings if still having issues. For persistent problems, have your phone serviced to fix any faulty audio hardware components. With the right troubleshooting, you can get WhatsApp call volume back to normal levels.
Summary of Main Solutions
- Turn up ringer and media volume on your phone
- Make sure the caller’s volume is turned up
- Check for and improve internet connectivity
- Inspect and clean phone speaker
- Adjust WhatsApp audio settings
- Try different headphones or earphones
- Update to the latest WhatsApp version
- Contact carrier for network troubleshooting
- Reset network settings to default
- Get audio hardware serviced if needed
Following the tips above should help resolve low volume problems with WhatsApp video calls. With the right audio settings and hardware, your call audio can come through loud and clear.