Want to know what to do if Whatsapp is not responding?
Whatsapp is a widely popular instant messaging platform. It features text, video, and voice calls for free as long as you have access to the internet. Currently, it has over a billion registered users.
Given this massive number of users, it’s no surprise that many people complain when the app starts acting up.
One of the most common issues on Whatsapp is the app not responding or freezing on mobile devices. While users can simply restart the app, it’s very annoying to deal with this issue since it happens randomly.
Based on what we know, this issue is mostly server-related. However, it can also be due to slow network connections, outdated software, or corrupted installation files.
Today, we’ll show you what to do if Whatsapp is not responding on your device.
Let’s jump right in!
1. Check Whatsapp Servers.
When you experience performance issues on Whatsapp or any online platform, the first thing you should do is check the status of its servers. This way, you can identify where the issue is coming from and plan your next actions.
You can use third-party sites like Downdetector, to view Whatsapp’s current situation.
Unfortunately, server-related issues can’t be fixed on your end.
On the other hand, you can proceed to the next method below if there’s nothing wrong with Whatsapp’s servers.
2. Restart Your Device.
Before changing your system settings, we advise restarting your system first to ensure that the issue is not caused by a simple bug or glitch.
For Android users, here’s how you can restart your device:
- First, locate the Power button on your Android device.
- Now, press and hold it until the options menu appears.
- Lastly, choose Restart.
If you’re using an iOS device, see the steps below to restart it:
- Open the Assistive Touch on your display.
- After that, go to the Device tab and tap on More.
- Finally, tap on Restart.
Once done, go back to Whatsapp and see if the app still freezes.
3. Clear Your App Data (Android)
For Android users, try clearing Whatsapp data if the app keeps freezing on your device. This should clear your temporary data and remove corrupted files from your system.
Follow the guide below to clear Whatsapp data on your device:
- On your app drawer, press and hold Whatsapp’s icon
- After that, tap on App Info and go to the Storage tab.
- Finally, tap the Clear Data button.
Once done, use the app as you would to check if the problem is solved.
4. Check Your Network Connection.
Unstable network could also be the reason Whatsapp is not responding on your device. If your connection is not working correctly, the app can’t communicate with the servers to fetch new data.
To confirm this, run a test on your connection using Fast.com to measure it’s current speed.
If the result confirms that your network is the problem, unplug your router from the outlet and wait for at least five seconds before plugging it back in. This should refresh the connection with your ISP’s servers.
Once done, perform another test to confirm if the restart worked. If not, contact your provider and ask them to fix their service.
5. Check for App Updates.
Whatsapp releases frequent updates on its platform to ensure everything is in order. If the app keeps freezing on your device, try updating it to patch possible bugs and glitches.
For Android users, see the guide below to update Whatsapp:
- On your device, launch the Play Store and access your Profile.
- After that, tap on Manage Apps & Device.
- Finally, go to Updates Available and hit the Update button next to Whatsapp.
If you’re using an iOS device, you can follow the steps below to update Whatsapp:
- First, open the App Store on your device.
- Next, go to your Profile and look for Whatsapp.
- Lastly, tap the Update button beside the app.
After updating Whatsapp, relaunch the app and check if the problem is solved.
6. Reinstall Whatsapp.
If Whatsapp is still not responding on your device, we recommend that you reinstall the app on your mobile device. This way, we can ensure that there are no broken files on your system and you’re using the latest version of the app.
Here’s how you can delete Whatsapp:
- First, locate Whatsapp from your home screen.
- Next, press and hold its icon until the selection menu appears.
- Lastly, choose Uninstall (Android) or Remove App (iOS) to delete the app.
Once done, go to the Play Store or App Store to reinstall Whatsapp.
7. Contact Whatsapp.
At this point, the last option you have is to ask for assistance from the professionals.
Go to Whatsapp Help Center and get in touch with their team to report the issue you’ve been experiencing while using the app. Provide all the information you can give to make it easier for Whatsapp’s team to assess the situation.
While waiting for a response, you can browse the guides on their page and see if you can find other solutions.
That wraps up our guide on what to do if Whatsapp is not responding on your mobile device. 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. 🙂
