WhatsApp started as an instant messaging app and over time included features like voice calls, video calls, stickers, WhatsApp Web, end-to-end encryption and more. Among the latest reports, WhatsApp Payments (India) will launch in the next month or two. However, the rise of the video calling frenzy has alarmed WhatsApp users. While many people are trying out the new video calling options, many are complaining that their WhatsApp video calls are not working on iPhone or Android.
To meet growing demand, the Facebook-owned company recently increased the member limit for group video/audio calls from four (4) to eight (8). This would lead people to easily make more WhatsApp video calls with their friends, family and others. However, there are several reasons why video calls randomly fail. For starters, the WhatsApp app requires microphone and camera permissions for video calls to work properly. And that’s one of those things to check.
In this post, we have tried to address every possibility causing WhatsApp video calls to fail with solutions. Let’s check them out.
1. Update WhatsApp
WhatsApp frequently updates its app on iOS and Android. Video call problems can occur due to an outdated WhatsApp build on your phone. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and update the WhatsApp app to the latest version. WhatsApp Beta channel users on Android and iOS should update their respective WhatsApp builds to the latest versions with various bug fixes and performance improvements.
2. Use Strong Network Connection
Video calls require a stable network connection to work smoothly. Also, they consume more data than WhatsApp voice calls. So make sure your phone is connected to a stronger network and your phone is showing enough bars for cellular network strength. Those of you who have a dual band router, you should check if your phone supports 5GHz Wi-Fi band. If available, connect the phone to the 5 GHz band of your Wi-Fi network.
3. Allow Necessary Permissions for WhatsApp
As mentioned earlier, WhatsApp requires microphone and camera permissions to video call successfully. You may have denied these permissions when installing the application for the first time. This may be the reason why audio and video are not working as expected. Check your phone’s Settings and grant the necessary permissions to the app.
for iphone
Open the Device Settings app, scroll down until you see WhatsApp and open it. This will open the ‘Allow WhatsApp Access’ window. Make sure the Microphone and Camera options are enabled.
for Android
There are two ways to open the permission manager on Android. You can open the Device Settings app, go to Apps & Notifications > See All Apps > go to WhatsApp.
Alternatively, you can long-press on the WhatsApp app icon and select the info option from the context menu that pops up. This will take you directly to the app info menu. There, select the Permission menu and enable permissions for Camera and Microphone.
4. Check Content and Privacy Restrictions (iPhone)
Normally, Content and Privacy Restrictions are turned off by default. If you have not enabled Screen Time on your iPhone, you can skip this solution.
If you have Screen Time enabled and Content and Privacy Restrictions enabled, you should check if you allow WhatsApp to access the Microphone.
Stage 1: Open the Settings app on iPhone.
Step 2: Go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and make sure installed apps have permission to access the microphone.
5. Allow WhatsApp to Use Mobile Data (iPhone)
iOS allows you to restrict mobile data usage for certain apps from the settings menu. If the option is enabled for the WhatsApp app, you may not be able to make or receive video calls easily.
Open the iPhone Settings app and scroll down to WhatsApp. From the menu below, push the switch next to Mobile Data to enable it.
6. Turn On Background Data Usage
Enabling this option will allow you to receive WhatsApp video calls even when you are not using the app. Open Settings on iPhone and go to WhatsApp. Then turn on Background App Refresh to let WhatsApp use the data in the background.
Android users can long press the WhatsApp app icon and open the App info menu. Open the Mobile data and Wi-Fi menu and enable the Background data option.
7. Disable Data Saver/Low Data Mode
Data saver mode on iPhone or Android may be preventing WhatsApp from working normally. If you have enabled low data mode on your phone, this may prevent WhatsApp from receiving details like incoming video call or making the video call properly.
To disable low data mode on iPhone, open Settings app > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and disable Low Data Mode from the menu below. Also, enable Data Roaming from the same window if you want to use WhatsApp video calls over cellular data while traveling in a different region.
For Android phones, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data Saver and turn the option off.
8. Disable Battery Saver
Battery saver mode aims to prevent apps from running in the background to save some battery juice. If you have this option enabled, consider disabling it from the Settings menu. iPhone users can go to Settings > Battery and turn off Low Power Mode from the menu.
Android users can go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver and turn the option off.
9. Turn off WhatsApp’s Low Data Usage
WhatsApp also offers Low Data usage mode from app settings. Disable the option for a smooth WhatsApp video calling experience. Open WhatsApp and go to App Settings > Data & Storage Usage and turn Low Data Usage off.
10. Clear Cache (Android)
Clearing the cache of WhatsApp does not mess up any personal data; it only deletes temporary files. Long press the WhatsApp app icon to clear the cache and open App info. Go to storage and cache and then clear the cache.
11. Reboot Phone and Reinstall WhatsApp
Restarting the Android phone or iPhone usually fixes some issues. You can restart your Android device or iPhone and check if WhatsApp video calling is working. If not, make a backup of your current WhatsApp data and try reinstalling the app.
Redo WhatsApp Video Calls
WhatsApp video calls may not be feature rich, but they are definitely popular as more than 2 billion people use WhatsApp. While the app is pretty simple to use, it’s the deeper settings and permissions that can prevent you from enjoying the video call session. If you found another solution, share it with us in the comments below.
Next: Want to learn more about WhatsApp on iPhone? Read the post below to find the best tips and tricks for WhatsApp on iPhone.
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