Trying to figure out why video calls are not working on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is the most popular instant messaging platform in the market. It currently has over 2 billion registered users, which continues to add up each day. Although the app works most of the time flawlessly, it can suffer from unexpected issues from time to time.
One of the most common problems with WhatsApp is the video call feature not working correctly.
If you rely on WhatsApp for your day-to-day tasks, not being able to use video calls can hinder your productivity.
Based on what we know, this issue on WhatsApp is often caused by server-related problems. However, it can also be due to slow network connections, corrupted files, or third-party applications.
You might also be using an outdated version of the app that is no longer supported by the server.
In this guide, we will list down the most effective solutions for fixing video calls not working on WhatsApp.
Let’s dive right in!
1. Check WhatsApp Servers.
WhatsApp might be experiencing issues at the moment that are related to video calls. Since server-related problems are not addressable on your end, it’s essential to know where the issue is coming from before starting to troubleshoot the error.
You can visit third-party sites like Downdetector to view the platform’s current status.
If there’s an ongoing issue with the servers, the only option you have is to wait for WhatsApp’s team to address the problem.
On the other hand, you can proceed to the following solutions below if the servers are fine.
2. Restart Your Device.
Your system may have run into temporary errors causing WhatsApp and other programs on your device to malfunction. To rule this out, reboot your device to clear its system cache and reload its resources.
If you’re using an Android device, check out the steps below to restart your system:
- First, locate the Power button on your Android device.
- After that, hold it down until the selection menu appears.
- Lastly, tap the Restart option.
For iOS users, follow the guide below to restart your device:
- On your screen, open the Assistive Touch and access the Device tab.
- Next, tap on More.
- Finally, choose Restart.
After restarting your system, go back to WhatsApp and make another call.
3. Check Your Network Connection.
A slow or unstable network could also be why video calls are not working on WhatsApp. Unlike regular messages, video calls require more bandwidth, and they won’t function correctly if you’re connected to a slow network.
To confirm this, run a test on your network using Fast.com to measure its current bandwidth.
If the result suggests that your connection is the problem, unplug your router from the outlet and wait for 5 to 10 seconds before plugging it back in. This should reset the link with your ISP’s servers.
Once done, run another test to check if the problem is solved. If the issue persists, contact your provider and ask them to fix their service.
4. Check Your Permissions.
For the video call feature on WhatsApp to work, it needs to have access to your device’s camera. If it’s restricted from accessing your camera, you’ll encounter issues when joining or starting a video call.
On Android devices, here’s how you can allow WhatsApp to access your camera:
- In your app drawer, press and hold WhatsApp’s icon until the options menu shows up.
- After that, tap on App Info and go to the Permissions tab.
- Finally, ensure that WhatsApp is allowed to access your camera and microphone.
For iOS users, check out the guide below to manage WhatsApp’s permissions:
- First, open the Settings app on your device.
- Next, tap on WhatsApp.
- Lastly, ensure that it has access to your camera and microphone.
Restart your device afterward and check if the problem is solved.
5. Turn Off VPN.
If you’re getting disconnected on video calls or experiencing lags, check if you’re using any VPNs on your device. While VPNs are great for protecting your data, they can introduce delays to your connection and affect its quality.
In this case, we recommend turning off your VPN before making a call on WhatsApp.
On the other hand, consider switching to a much more reliable service like PureVPN if you prefer to use VPNs on your device. PureVPN uses high-speed servers worldwide to ensure fast and reliable connection while protecting your data.
It also works well with streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix.
6. Update WhatsApp.
The version of WhatsApp installed on your device may have an issue that causes the video call feature to malfunction. To fix this, update the app to the latest version possible to patch bugs and other glitches.
For Android users, see the guide below to update WhatsApp:
- Launch the Google Play Store on your device.
- After that, go to your Profile and tap on Manage Apps & Device.
- Now, tap on Updates Available and look for WhatsApp.
- Finally, hit the Update button to download the latest version.
On iOS devices, here’s how you can update WhatsApp:
- On your device, launch the App Store and access your Profile.
- Next, locate WhatsApp from the list.
- If there’s an available update, tap the Update button to start downloading it.
Go back to WhatsApp after the update to check if the video call feature is working.
7. Update Your Device.
If updating WhatsApp is not enough, we recommend updating your device as well. This way, you can ensure that there are no bugs or errors on your system that cause WhatsApp to malfunction.
If you’re using an Android device, check out the steps below to update its OS:
- First, open the Settings on your device.
- Now, go to About or About Phone.
- Lastly, tap on Software Update and follow the prompts.
For iOS users, follow the guide below to update your software:
- On your home screen, tap on the Settings app to launch it.
- After that, go to General and tap on Software Updates.
- Finally, tap Download & Install if there’s an available update.
Try joining another video call afterward to check if the problem is solved.
8. Reinstall WhatsApp.
At this point, the last thing you can do if video calls are still not working on WhatsApp is to reinstall the app. This way, you can ensure there are no corrupted files on your system, and you have the latest working version of WhatsApp.
Check out the steps below to delete WhatsApp:
- Locate WhatsApp from your home screen.
- Now, hold down its app icon until the selection menu shows up.
- Finally, choose Remove App (iOS) or Uninstall (Android) to remove WhatsApp from your system.
Once done, go to the App Store or Play Store on your device to reinstall the app.
That brings us to the end of our guide for fixing video calls not working on WhatsApp. For your questions and other concerns, please leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to answer them.
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
