Quick Answer
There are a few common reasons why WhatsApp web may not be working on your browser:
- Your browser is not supported – WhatsApp web only works on the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera or Edge.
- Your phone is not connected – Make sure your phone is connected to the internet and WhatsApp is open.
- QR code not scanned – You need to scan the QR code from your phone to link devices.
- Wrong URL – Make sure you are visiting web.whatsapp.com.
- Cookies disabled – WhatsApp web requires cookies enabled to work.
- Using VPN or firewall – VPNs or firewalls can sometimes block WhatsApp web.
- Service outage – WhatsApp servers may be down temporarily.
Supported Browsers
WhatsApp web is only fully supported and optimized for the latest desktop versions of the following browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Apple Safari
- Microsoft Edge
- Opera
If you are using an older browser, WhatsApp web may not work properly or some features may be unavailable. Make sure you upgrade to the latest version of one of these browsers.
Here is a table showing the minimum required browser versions:
| Browser | Minimum Version |
|---|---|
| Chrome | Latest |
| Firefox | Latest |
| Safari | 12.1 |
| Edge | 44 |
| Opera | 57 |
Ensure Phone is Connected
In order for WhatsApp web to work, your phone needs to be connected to the internet and WhatsApp needs to be open. Here are some things to check:
- Make sure your phone has an active internet connection (WiFi or mobile data).
- Open the WhatsApp app on your phone.
- Make sure WhatsApp is running in the background and not force closed.
- On iPhone, make sure WhatsApp is not closed from the app switcher screen.
- On Android, check that WhatsApp is not battery optimized, which can close it.
- Make sure your phone has the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
Without your phone actively connected, WhatsApp web will not be able to sync messages or send/receive new messages. Your phone essentially acts as the bridge between your browser and WhatsApp’s servers.
QR Code Not Scanned
To use WhatsApp web for the first time on a browser, you need to scan the QR code to link your browser to your WhatsApp account on your phone.
- Open web.whatsapp.com in your browser.
- You will see a QR code on the screen.
- Open WhatsApp on your phone and tap the 3 dot menu.
- Choose WhatsApp Web and point your phone’s camera at the QR code.
- Your phone will scan the code and you will see a confirmation on your phone and browser.
This process links your browser to your phone. If you have not scanned the QR code properly with your phone’s camera, then WhatsApp web will not work.
Using Correct URL
To access WhatsApp web, you need to make sure to visit the official web URL in your browser:
web.whatsapp.com
Some common incorrect URLs that won’t work:
- whatsapp.com (main site, not for web app)
- web.whatsapp.org
- whatsappweb.com
- web-whatsapp.com
If you visit the wrong or unofficial URL, it will likely fail to load WhatsApp web properly. Bookmark web.whatsapp.com to make sure you always access the correct address.
Cookies Enabled
WhatsApp web requires cookies to be enabled in your browser in order to function properly.
Cookies allow WhatsApp to remember your browser session and sync information. If you have cookies disabled, it will prevent WhatsApp web from loading.
Here’s how to enable cookies:
- Chrome: Click the 3 dots > Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and site data > Allow all cookies
- Firefox: Click the 3 lines > Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > enable cookies
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Allow all cookies
- Edge: Settings and more > Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Allow all cookies
- Opera: Menu > Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies > Allow all cookies
Be sure to fully enable cookies rather than just session cookies. WhatsApp web needs persistent cookies to remember your session.
VPN or Firewall Interference
Some VPNs (virtual private networks) and firewalls can interfere with WhatsApp web and block its traffic. This prevents WhatsApp web from connecting properly.
If you are on a work or school network that uses heavy filtering and traffic shaping, it may prevent WhatsApp web from working properly as well.
Try disabling your VPN or firewall temporarily to see if that allows WhatsApp web to work. You may need to configure them to allow WhatsApp web’s traffic if you need them enabled.
Corporate networks may block WhatsApp entirely, so WhatsApp web would not work on those restrictive networks.
WhatsApp Service Outage
In rare cases, WhatsApp may be down for maintenance or experiencing an outage of its web service. Even though your phone may still get messages, it cannot connect to the WhatsApp web servers.
Check https://downdetector.com/status/whatsapp/ to see if others are reporting WhatsApp issues when web isn’t working.
Usually these outages last a short time as WhatsApp works to restore service across its servers worldwide. All you can do is wait for WhatsApp to get things working again globally.
Clear Browser Cache
If WhatsApp web was working before, but suddenly stops working,try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies.
Over time, corrupt data or files may build up that disrupt WhatsApp web. Clearing this data resets the browser and often fixes connection issues:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy & security > Clear browsing data
- Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Clear data
- Safari: Develop menu > Empty Caches
- Edge: Settings and more > Settings > Clear browsing data
- Opera: Menu > Settings > Clear browsing data
After clearing the cache, restart the browser and try loading WhatsApp web again.
Re-scan QR Code
If your phone is still connected but WhatsApp web stops working, try re-scanning the QR code:
- On your phone, go to WhatsApp > Linked Devices.
- Tap to disconnect your browser session.
- On your browser, reload web.whatsapp.com.
- Tap the 3-dot menu and select Reload.
- Scan the new QR code with your phone’s camera again.
Re-linking your devices often fixes connection issues and gets WhatsApp web working again in your browser.
Update WhatsApp
Make sure both WhatsApp on your phone and WhatsApp Web are updated to the latest version.
- On your phone, go to your app store to check for WhatsApp updates.
- On your browser, go to web.whatsapp.com and click the 3-dot menu > Help to check your version.
The latest updates may contain critical bug fixes and performance improvements needed to resolve issues with connectivity.
It’s good practice to keep WhatsApp updated whenever new versions are available.
Try Different Browser
To rule out any browser-specific issues, try WhatsApp web in a different supported browser:
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Edge
- Opera
- Safari (Mac/iOS)
If WhatsApp works in one browser but not another, then you know the issue lies with that specific browser. You may need to reinstall the browser or update graphics drivers if only one browser fails.
Reset Phone Network Settings
For connectivity issues, try resetting your phone’s network settings to defaults:
On iPhone
- Go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Your network settings will reset.
On Android
- Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options.
- Tap Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth.
- Tap Reset Settings and confirm.
- Your network settings will reset.
Resetting the network can clear up any network conflicts or issues that may be preventing WhatsApp web from connecting.
Delete and Reinstall WhatsApp
If other troubleshooting steps don’t work, try deleting and reinstalling WhatsApp:
On iPhone
- Delete WhatsApp from the Home Screen.
- Go to the App Store and re-download WhatsApp.
- When prompted, tap to restore your chat history from iCloud.
On Android
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your Settings.
- Go to the Play Store and re-download WhatsApp.
- When prompted, restore your chat history from Google Drive.
Reinstalling can wipe out any corrupted data or cache files that may be causing WhatsApp web connectivity problems. Just remember to back up chats first.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If you still can’t get WhatsApp web working after trying all troubleshooting steps, you may need to contact WhatsApp support:
- Twitter: Tweet @WhatsApp and explain your issue
- Facebook: Message WhatsApp on Facebook
- Email: Send email to [email protected]
Explaining exactly when the issue started and what troubleshooting you have tried will help WhatsApp support assist you better. They may be able to provide specialized help getting WhatsApp web working again.
Conclusion
WhatsApp web failing to work is often caused by browser incompatibility, the phone not being connected properly, or the need to re-scan the QR code.
Ensuring cookies are enabled, trying a different browser, updating WhatsApp, clearing the cache and reinstalling the app are some common ways to get WhatsApp web working again.
If you continue having issues, contact WhatsApp support for help troubleshooting and regaining access to WhatsApp web for your browser. With the right fixes, you’ll be messaging from your computer again in no time.