Top 21 Ways to Fix WhatsApp Calls Not Working

WhatsApp was launched as a messaging app, but it quickly added audio features such as calls and voicemail. You can now make voice and video calls. You can even make group video calls. While all of this sounds cool, sometimes the call service poses a lot of problems for us. If you are having trouble using WhatsApp calls, learn how to fix it in this article.

WhatsApp calls may not work for several reasons. These include background data restrictions, lack of required permissions such as a microphone, network issues, etc.

But do not worry. This message will help you solve all your WhatsApp call related issues. Let’s see the solutions for Android and iPhone.

1. Restart the devices

You should start with the typical restart solution for your Android or iPhone. To do this, turn off the device, then turn it on or use the native restart option. If possible, also unplug your router for 20 seconds, then plug it back in.

2. Ensure a good Internet connection

WhatsApp needs the Internet to function. Whether it’s messaging or calls. But, for calls, it needs a stable connection and at least a 3G network if you are using mobile data. Check if you have a solid internet connection. You must also deactivate and reactivate your network connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).

3. Change network

Sometimes the problem may be related to your network only. So try to connect to another network. In other words, if you use Wi-Fi, connect via mobile data and vice versa.

Note: If you have a dual band router, try connecting a compatible phone to the 5 GHz band of your router.

4. Activate airplane mode

Airplane mode acts as a lifeline in specific situations. Although it is designed to block all communications, it also helps to resolve network problems on the phone. So, turn it on for 20 seconds on your phone, then turn it off. Then try to call people using WhatsApp. You will find airplane mode in the Android quick settings. It is also accessible under Settings> Network.

On iPhone, it is present in Control Center and under Settings.

5. Turn off the battery saver

Battery saver mode prevents apps from running in the background. Check if battery saving mode is activated on your phone. If so, disable it or exclude WhatsApp from it. You will find the mode generally under the battery settings.

6. Disable Bluetooth

Sometimes even Bluetooth is responsible for the erratic behavior of WhatsApp calls. Especially if you have a wireless headset or speaker connected. While it shouldn’t be, there is nothing wrong with disabling it for a while to troubleshoot WhatsApp.

7. Grant the necessary permissions to WhatsApp

The main cause of problems behind WhatsApp calls is the lack of proper permissions. WhatsApp needs the microphone and other permissions to make calls. So you need to check if it has these permissions.

Here’s how to do it on Android and iPhone.

Check WhatsApp permissions on Android

Step 1: Open Settings on your phone and go to Applications or Applications & Notifications.

2nd step: Tap WhatsApp under All apps.

Stage 3: Tap Permissions. Grant permissions to the camera and microphone. To do this, press the authorization name and authorize it or activate the toggle.

Check WhatsApp permissions on iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app and go to Privacy.

2nd step: Tap Microphone. Activate the toggle next to WhatsApp. If it is already activated, deactivate it and reactivate it.

Point: You should also check under Settings> WhatsApp. Make sure the microphone is on.

8. Disable data saver mode

The job of data saver mode is to consume less data. In doing so, it blocks certain application features such as WhatsApp. Try disabling the data saver or weak data mode on your Android and iPhone. To do this, enter the data saver mode in the search found in the parameters. Then turn it off.

Point: On Android you will find the data limit option. Increase or deactivate it.

9. Check the restrictions on WhatsApp (iPhone only)

Step 1: Open Settings and tap Screen time.

2nd step: Tap Content and privacy restrictions. Tap Microphone.

Stage 3: Check the toggle next to WhatsApp. It must be green. If not, tap Allow changes and turn on the toggle.

10. Change the low data usage setting

WhatsApp provides a native setting to reduce data usage. You should try to turn it on or off to see if it fixes the problem for you.

To change it, open the WhatsApp settings from the application. Tap Data and storage usage. Disable the toggle next to Low data usage.

11. Activate the use of background data

To do this on Android, open Settings and go to Applications> WhatsApp. Tap Data usage or Mobile data and Wi-Fi. Turn on background data.

On iPhone, open Settings and go to WhatsApp. Activate the toggle next to the application refresh in the background.

12. All WhatsApp to use mobile data (iPhone)

On iPhone, you can prevent apps from running on mobile data. If the setting is enabled for WhatsApp, you will run into problems. To fix this, open Settings on the iPhone. Scroll down and tap WhatsApp. Activate the button next to Mobile data. You should also try other tips to fix apps that only work on Wi-Fi and not on mobile data

13. Disable noise canceling (iPhone)

In case of audio problem with WhatsApp calls, try to disable noise canceling on iPhone. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap General.

2nd step: Tap Accessibility. Disable the toggle next to phone noise cancellation.

14. Disable Wi-Fi Assist (iPhone)

To do this, open Settings and go to Mobile data. Scroll down and disable Wi-Fi Assist by disabling the toggle. Learn more tips for solving iPhone connectivity issues.

15. Vider le cache (Android)

L’effacement du cache ne supprimera aucune donnée personnelle de votre téléphone. Il supprime uniquement les fichiers temporaires. Cependant, ne tapez pas sur Effacer le stockage ou Effacer les données car cela supprimera tous vos chats WhatsApp.

Pour effacer le cache WhatsApp, ouvrez Paramètres sur votre téléphone et accédez à Applications ou Applications et notifications. Appuyez sur WhatsApp sous Toutes les applications. Appuyez sur Stockage, puis sur Vider le cache.

Tip: You should try clearing cache for your default browser on both Android and iPhone.

16. Reset App Preferences (Android)

On Android phones, you should also try resetting app preferences. Similar to reset network settings, it will not delete any data, but it will restore all the settings on your phone to their original (factory) values.

To do so, open Settings and go to System. Tap on Reset followed by Reset app preferences. Alternatively, use the search bar in settings to find reset app preferences.

17. Check Third-Party Apps

Did you recently install any calling or VPN app? Take a look at your recently installed apps. One of them might be interfering with WhatsApp calling.

On Android phones, you should check the security or cache cleaning apps that come preinstalled. Sometimes, they change certain permissions related to apps, thus causing issues.

18. Update WhatsApp

Sometimes, the issue is in the app itself and the latest version will fix it. So, open WhatsApp on App Store (iPhone) and Google Play Store (Android) to update it. Also, find out how to know if an app needs an update.

19. Reset Network Settings

Both Android and iPhone provide a native setting to restore network settings to their original values. By doing so, network-related issues are fixed. So try it if calls on WhatsApp aren’t working. Resetting network settings will not delete any data from your phone. Learn in detail what happens by resetting network settings.

To reset network settings on Android, open Settings and go to System. Tap on Reset followed by Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. You can also use the search bar to find reset settings.

On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset> Reset network settings.

20. Reinstall WhatsApp

If the issue persists, uninstall WhatsApp from your phone. Do back up your data before uninstalling the app as it will delete your chats. Once uninstalled, install the app again. Check out in detail what happens after uninstalling WhatsApp.

21. Replace Microphone

Did you recently change the display of your phone? That might have caused microphone issues. Take it back to the phone repair shop and get it fixed.

Bonus: WhatsApp Call Notification Not Working

If you aren’t receiving notifications for WhatsApp calls, the notification settings might have changed.

To fix it on Android, open Settings > Apps > WhatsApp. Tap on Notifications. Enable notifications. You will also see Call notifications. Enable it. Tap on the notification types to further customize it.

On iPhone, open Settings > WhatsApp > Notifications. Enable the required notification type.

It’s Not You

If, after trying everything, WhatsApp calls still continue to lag or you are unable to hear the other person, then the problem might be on their end only. Try calling someone else and see how things go for them. Also, WhatsApp calling is blocked in some countries like the UAE. So if you are trying to call people over there, you might face issues.