WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to easily connect with friends and family through text, voice notes, video calls and more. However, many users have experienced issues with WhatsApp calls not showing up on screen or not connecting properly.
Quick Overview of Main Reasons for WhatsApp Call Issues
There are a few key reasons why WhatsApp calls may not be appearing on your screen or connecting correctly:
- Outdated app – An outdated version of the WhatsApp app can cause call issues
- Network connectivity – Poor internet connection or weak mobile data signal can disrupt calls
- App permissions – The app may not have proper permissions enabled to access the camera or microphone
- Battery optimization – Battery optimization settings may be restricting WhatsApp background activity
- Do Not Disturb mode – If enabled, DND mode will silence notifications for calls
- App crashing – Technical issues like app crashing or freezing can prevent calls
- Account restrictions – Account bans, restrictions or limits could affect ability to place calls
- Device compatibility – Older or incompatible devices may struggle with WhatsApp call features
Carefully going through these issues and troubleshooting each one can help resolve problems with WhatsApp calls. The solutions provided below will cover these areas in more depth.
Ensure You Have the Latest Version of WhatsApp Installed
One of the most common reasons behind WhatsApp call issues is having an outdated version of the app installed. WhatsApp regularly releases new versions of the app with bug fixes and improvements for call stability.
Using an old version of WhatsApp can introduce performance issues that disrupt call functionality. Make sure you have installed the latest update of WhatsApp on your device.
- On Android – Go to the Google Play store, search for WhatsApp and check if any updates are available.
- On iPhone – Go to the App Store, search for WhatsApp and check if any updates are pending.
Install the newest version of the app and then try making WhatsApp calls again. This often resolves problems if your app was outdated.
Check Your Internet Connection and Mobile Data Signal
WhatsApp calls require a stable internet connection and strong mobile data signal to function properly. Call quality and connectivity can be impacted if your network has:
- Poor WiFi connection with low bandwidth
- Mobile data network issues like low signal strength or network congestion
- Switching between WiFi and mobile data while on a WhatsApp call
To rule out network issues:
- Check that you have at least 2-3 bars of mobile network signal strength.
- Connect to a stable WiFi network with good bandwidth.
- Avoid switching networks during an ongoing call which can cause dropout.
- Temporary disable mobile data if WiFi is stable to avoid switching networks.
This will provide optimal connectivity for WhatsApp calls and prevent call quality issues during the conversation.
Confirm That WhatsApp Has Access Permissions
For WhatsApp calls to work, the app requires access to your device’s microphone and camera.
On some devices, the permissions for WhatsApp may have been disabled either manually or due to system updates.
Here’s how to check and re-enable WhatsApp’s permissions:
- On Android – Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > WhatsApp > Permissions and enable Microphone and Camera.
- On iPhone – Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone / Camera and ensure WhatsApp is enabled.
Granting these permissions allows WhatsApp to access your microphone and camera when making calls.
Disable Battery Optimization for WhatsApp
To save battery life, many phones have battery optimization settings that restrict apps running in the background.
This can inadvertently affect apps like WhatsApp from receiving calls properly. Disabling battery optimization creates an exception for WhatsApp.
On Android devices:
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access > Battery optimization.
- Select All apps and search for WhatsApp.
- Change the battery optimization setting for WhatsApp to Don’t optimize.
With optimized battery usage disabled, WhatsApp can run smoothly in the background and incoming calls can connect.
Check If Do Not Disturb Mode is Enabled
Do Not Disturb is a focus mode that mutes app notifications and calls during selected hours.
If enabled accidentally, DND will block WhatsApp call notifications and ringtones.
To check if DND is causing missing WhatsApp calls:
- On Android – Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb and check if it’s switched on.
- On iPhone – Swipe up from bottom and check if Do Not Disturb is enabled from the Control Center.
- Make sure DND is disabled or add WhatsApp as an exception if needed.
This ensures WhatsApp calls can ring through even when in Do Not Disturb mode.
Close and Reopen the WhatsApp App
In some cases, a technical glitch may prevent WhatsApp calls from coming through properly.
If your app is frozen or has crashed in the background, closing and reopening the app can resolve temporary issues.
To do this:
- Double tap the Home button or Recents button to view open apps.
- Locate WhatsApp in the apps list and swipe up to close it.
- Reopen WhatsApp again by tapping on the app icon.
Restarting the app forces it to reload which can fix problems like frozen screens or calls not going through.
Check for WhatsApp Account Bans or Restrictions
In rare cases, an account restriction or ban can also block WhatsApp call functionality.
This usually occurs if WhatsApp detects suspicious activity and limits account usage as a precaution.
Some signs your account may be limited include:
- A message saying your account is restricted when verifying your number
- Unable to make calls and getting an error saying “Calls are currently unavailable”
- A notice saying you have been banned from using WhatsApp
If you think your account has been incorrectly banned, contact WhatsApp to appeal the restriction and restore your account access.
Update Your Phone Software
Having old, outdated phone software can also introduce performance issues with WhatsApp calls not showing correctly.
Make sure your phone’s operating system is updated to the latest version for optimal compatibility:
- On Android – Go to Settings > System > System update to check for pending updates.
- On iPhone – Go to Settings > General > Software update to update to the newest iOS version.
Updating provides under-the-hood improvements and ensures WhatsApp functions properly on your device.
Check for Device Compatibility Issues
In rare cases, using an older or incompatible phone model can cause problems with WhatsApp calls.
WhatsApp regularly drops support for older operating systems as they phase out:
- On Android, WhatsApp requires Android 4.1 or newer
- On iPhone, WhatsApp supports iOS 12 and newer
Using a severely outdated device that cannot be updated could mean missing compatibility with WhatsApp’s newest call features.
You may need to upgrade your phone model if it’s too old to run a modern OS version compatible with WhatsApp.
Contact WhatsApp Support if Issues Persist
If you still cannot get WhatsApp calls to appear after trying the above solutions, get in touch with WhatsApp’s support team for further help.
You can contact WhatsApp support from within the app:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Help > Contact Us
- Describe your call issue and send any error screenshots
- The WhatsApp team can look into your specific account issue and troubleshoot technical problems
With specialized assistance from WhatsApp support, they can resolve persistent call errors that cannot be fixed on your own.
Conclusion
WhatsApp calling is an incredibly useful feature for staying in touch with loved ones. However, call issues can definitely be frustrating.
By going through common reasons like app updates, network connectivity, app permissions, optimizations, Do Not Disturb mode, app crashes, account restrictions, software updates and device compatibility, you can identify what’s causing the problem.
Carefully troubleshooting each cause and contacting WhatsApp support if problems continue will help restore call functionality so you never miss connecting over WhatsApp calls with friends and family.