3 Fixes for WhatsApp Video Call Not Working on iPhone and Android

Quick Tips

• Battery saving modes can restrict WhatsApp’s usage. Ensure they’re disabled on your phone.
• You can disable data usage restrictions within WhatsApp. To do that, open Settings > Storage and data > turn off the toggle for Use less data for calls.
• If you frequently face video call issues, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your phone.

Basic Fixes:

• Check your internet connection: WhatsApp requires an active internet connection to make video calls. Use services like Speedtest or Fast to check your current internet speed. If they’re less than expected, switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi or move closer to your router and try again.
• Force close and restart WhatsApp: Force closing WhatsApp will close all app functions. And once you reopen the app, they will start again, resolving any temporary app glitches.
• Enable all permissions for WhatsApp: WhatsApp requires permission to use your device’s camera and microphone to make video calls. So, open the Settings app on your phone and ensure all the necessary permissions are enabled for WhatsApp.
• Clear the app cache: Apps accumulate cache over time. If corrupted, it can cause issues when using certain WhatsApp features. So, use the Settings app to clear WhatsApp cache on Android. iPhone users can offload the WhatsApp app to do the same.
• Check for updates: Updates help introduce new app features and fix bugs from the previous update. So, check and install the latest updates for WhatsApp and see if this fixes the issue.
• Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstalling WhatsApp will remove any app setting causing your video calls to fail. Then, reinstall a fresh copy of the app and try again.

Fix 1: Disable Low Data Usage for WhatsApp Calls

WhatsApp allows you to lower your data usage. While this can be helpful if you’re on a limited data plan, it can throttle video calls and cause them not to work. In this case, you can disable low data usage for WhatsApp on your Android and iOS devices. Here’s how.

On Android

Step 1: Tap on the three-dot icon at the top-right corner. Then, tap on Settings.

Step 2: Here, tap on Storage and data > turn off the toggle for Use less data for calls.

On iPhone

Step 1: At the bottom-right corner, tap on Settings > Storage and Data.

Step 2: Here, turn off the toggle for Use Less Data for Calls.

Fix 2: Turn off Battery Saving Mode

Battery savers can help conserve your phone’s battery life, especially if the battery is currently low. However, this can stop WhatsApp from making video calls to save battery. So, if your phone has been sufficiently charged, disable the relevant battery-saving modes. Here’s how to do it.

On iPhone

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Battery.

Step 2: Here, turn off the Low Power Mode toggle.

On Android

Step 1: Pull down from the top of the screen twice to open the full Quick Settings menu.

Step 2: Here, tap on Battery saving.

Fix 3: Allow Background App Refresh on iPhone

Background app refresh in iPhone allows WhatsApp to refresh app data in the background. This can help video calls ring even when you don’t use WhatsApp. Here’s how to enable it on your iPhone.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on General. Here, tap on Background App Refresh.

Step 2: Scroll down and turn on the toggle for WhatsApp.

Now, try making a video call or ask someone to call you via video call on WhatsApp to see if the issue has been resolved.