There are a few common reasons why you may not hear sound when receiving WhatsApp calls on your device:
Your Ringer Volume is Turned Down or Muted
The most obvious reason is that your ringer or media volume is muted or turned down too low. To fix this:
- On an iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and make sure the Ringer and Alerts volume is turned up.
- On an Android, go to Settings > Sound > Phone ringtone and make sure the volume is up.
You can also use the volume buttons on the side of your device to temporarily turn up the ringer volume if it’s muted or too low.
Do Not Disturb Mode is Enabled
If Do Not Disturb mode is enabled on your device, you will not receive sound or vibration notifications for any incoming calls or messages. To check if this is enabled:
- On an iPhone, go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and make sure it is disabled.
- On Android, go to Settings > Sounds > Do Not Disturb and make sure it is turned off.
Disabling this will allow sound to come through for WhatsApp calls again.
Custom Notifications Settings for WhatsApp
You may have customized notification settings for WhatsApp that mute sound alerts. To verify this:
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp and make sure Sounds is enabled.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > WhatsApp > Notifications and make sure the Sound option is enabled.
If sound alerts were disabled, enabling them will allow sound to come through when receiving WhatsApp calls.
Glitch or Bug with WhatsApp
In some cases, a glitch with the WhatsApp app itself may be preventing call sounds even when your device volume and notifications are properly configured. Try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Force quit and relaunch the WhatsApp app.
- On iPhone, also try toggling WhatsApp’s permissions on and off under Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
- Check for any available updates to WhatsApp in your device’s app store and install if available.
- Try uninstalling and reinstalling the WhatsApp app if still not resolving the issue.
- Restart your device.
This will refresh the app and system audio settings and hopefully resolve any strange bugs that were interfering with WhatsApp call sounds.
Incorrect Notification Sound Set
It’s possible you have an incorrect or missing notification sound set specifically for WhatsApp calls. To check this:
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and make sure an appropriate alert tone is selected.
- On Android: Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Notifications > Sound and select an appropriate notification sound.
Choosing a valid alert tone should now allow sound when receiving WhatsApp calls.
Issues with Your Headphones or Speakers
If you are trying to receive WhatsApp call sounds through connected headphones, Bluetooth speakers, or a hearing aid, there may be an issue with those devices. Try the following:
- Make sure your headphones or speakers are connected properly and any required Bluetooth pairing is active.
- Check the volume levels on your headphones/speakers and turn up as needed.
- Try receiving a WhatsApp call using your device’s built-in speaker instead to isolate the issue.
- Test your headphones/speakers with other audio sources to rule out defects with those accessories.
If the call sound only fails when using third-party audio devices, then there is likely an issue with that hardware or its connectivity to your phone. Contact the device manufacturer for support if you cannot resolve it.
Network Connection or Service Issues
Problems with your internet connection or cellular service can also prevent WhatsApp calls from coming through properly:
- Make sure you have a strong WiFi or cellular data connection on your device.
- Try toggling Airplane mode on and off to reset the network connection.
- Restart your router if on WiFi to refresh the WiFi channels.
- Contact your cell provider if you notice service issues in your general area.
Confirm that your network connection is stable without any service outages. This will ensure proper call connectivity.
Outdated WhatsApp Version
Using an outdated version of WhatsApp could lead to bugs or issues with call notifications and sounds. Follow these steps:
- On iPhone: Go to the App Store > Updates and install any pending WhatsApp updates.
- On Android: Go to Google Play Store > Menu > My apps & games and update WhatsApp if an update is available.
Keeping WhatsApp up-to-date will give you the latest fixes and optimizations for notifications and calling.
Incorrect Device Date or Time
If your device’s date and time are set incorrectly, it can sometimes interfere with the WhatsApp app’s functions. Here’s how to check this:
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure Set Automatically is enabled and the time zone is correct.
- On Android: Go to Settings > System > Date & time and make sure Automatic date & time is enabled and set to the proper time zone.
Having the right date/time settings will avoid any sync issues with WhatsApp call connectivity.
Out of Storage Space
If your phone is completely out of storage space, it can cause performance issues with apps like WhatsApp. Try the following:
- Check Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage on iOS or Settings > Storage on Android to see used/available space.
- Delete unused apps, photos, and media to free up space.
- Turn on iCloud Photo Library or Google Photos sync to offload images.
- Manage and clear chat attachments in WhatsApp to free up app storage.
Having at least 500MB – 1GB of free space is recommended so WhatsApp can function properly.
conclusions
Here are some key conclusions:
- Double check your ringer/media volume, Do Not Disturb settings, and WhatsApp notification settings to make sure sound alerts are enabled.
- Rule out any headphones/Bluetooth issues by testing with built-in speakers.
- Confirm you have a strong internet/WiFi connection and latest WhatsApp version.
- Verify date/time settings are automatic and correct on your device.
- Free up storage space if phone is near max capacity.
- Try reinstalling WhatsApp and restarting your device to attempt fixing software issues.
Following the troubleshooting steps for these common causes will help you get WhatsApp call sounds working again on your iPhone or Android phone. Contact WhatsApp support if issues persist after trying these suggestions.