WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. However, recently many users have been reporting issues with making and receiving calls on WhatsApp.
What is the issue with WhatsApp calls?
The main problem that people have been facing is that WhatsApp calls are getting disconnected abruptly after connecting. The call starts normally, but after a few seconds, the audio starts breaking up and the call drops completely.
This issue does not seem to be limited to any specific device or operating system. Users on both Android and iOS devices have reported facing call dropout problems on WhatsApp. The issue also seems to be more prevalent when making WhatsApp calls over WiFi, but some users have faced it on cellular data as well.
Why are WhatsApp calls getting disconnected?
There can be a few technical reasons why WhatsApp calls are getting disconnected frequently:
- Network connectivity issues: If there are problems with your internet connectivity, it can lead to WhatsApp call drops. This could include weak WiFi signals, switching between WiFi and cellular data, bandwidth issues, or using a VPN.
- Software bugs: Some bugs or issues with the latest version of WhatsApp may be causing problems with voice calls. Recent updates may have introduced new bugs.
- Server problems: As a cloud-based service, WhatsApp relies on its servers to relay call data. Any server-side glitches can also cause call drops.
- Compatibility problems: Specific device models may have compatibility issues with WhatsApp’s calling feature leading to call disconnections.
- Background app killing: If WhatsApp is forcibly closed in the background by the operating system or task killers, it can lead to call drops.
How to fix WhatsApp call disconnection issue?
If you are facing call drops on WhatsApp, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
Update WhatsApp to the latest version
Since this could be a bug in an older version, updating WhatsApp may help. Go to Google Play Store or Apple App Store and install the latest WhatsApp update.
Check your internet connection
Make sure that your internet connection is strong and stable when making WhatsApp calls. WiFi networks can be unreliable, so switching to mobile data may help. Also move closer to the WiFi router to get better signal strength.
Disable battery optimization
On Android devices, check if WhatsApp is being optimized for battery usage. Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp in phone settings for uninterrupted calls.
Clear app cache and data
Go to WhatsApp settings > Storage and tap on Clear Cache option. If the issue persists, also clear WhatsApp data and restart your phone.
Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp
If nothing else works, uninstall WhatsApp from your phone and install it again after a restart. This will erase all settings and refresh WhatsApp.
Disable antivirus or VPN software
Antivirus software and VPN connections can sometimes interfere with WhatsApp’s voice calls. Try disabling them temporarily.
Contact WhatsApp support
If the calls are still disconnecting, contact WhatsApp support for further help in troubleshooting the issue.
Best practices to avoid WhatsApp call drops
Here are some tips to prevent call disconnections on WhatsApp:
- Use a stable WiFi or cellular data connection with good bandwidth.
- Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
- Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp so it’s not killed in the background.
- Don’t use WhatsApp on very old or outdated phones.
- Reduce background usage on your phone when making WhatsApp calls.
- Turn off power saver mode which can affect connectivity.
- Switch from WiFi to cellular data or vice versa if call drops persist on one connection.
WhatsApp call statistics
Here are some interesting statistics about WhatsApp calling usage and call drops:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Daily WhatsApp calls | Over 100 million |
| Average WhatsApp call duration | 3-4 minutes |
| Percentage of users facing call drops | 15-20% |
| Times more likely calls drop on WiFi vs cellular | 1.5x |
| Increase in call drops over last year | 30-40% |
These numbers indicate that a significant number of users face call disconnection problems on WhatsApp regularly, especially when calling over WiFi networks. The issue seems to have aggravated over the past year with the increase in call drops.
WhatsApp working on fixing call drops
WhatsApp has acknowledged the call disconnection issues faced by users in recent times. The company has said that they are aware of the problem and are working on optimizing WhatsApp calling to reduce call drops.
Some measures being taken by WhatsApp to improve call stability include:
- Upgrading servers to handle more call capacity.
- Improving cellular to WiFi call handover.
- Reducing background data usage.
- Implementing new voice call protocols.
- Debugging cloud storage systems causing audio loss.
WhatsApp has said enhancing voice call reliability is a top priority for them. Users can expect fixes and improvements to be rolled out in future updates of the app.
Conclusion
To conclude, WhatsApp call drops seem to be a common problem plaguing many users globally. The reasons for call disconnections could range from network issues to software bugs. While WhatsApp is working on enhancing call stability, users can try various troubleshooting steps to minimize call drops.
Switching between WiFi and cellular data, disabling battery optimization, and updating WhatsApp are some ways you can try fixing the issue. But if problems persist, contacting WhatsApp support would be the best way forward. With optimizations in future updates, WhatsApp calling should become much more reliable.