WhatsApp notifications not working — causes and how to fix

WhatsApp needs a strong stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection in order to function correctly. One of the first things you should do is check that you are connected to the internet so you can receive notifications. You can also try switching connection types or changing network connections to try and fix the WhatsApp notification issue.

In case your internet is not working properly, get in touch with your ISP and let them know about the issue.

Sometimes, we can accidentally enable Airplane mode while messing around the settings. If it’s turned on, you will not receive any notifications from WhatsApp. So, go to your settings and make sure Airplane mode is turned off.

Android and iPhone devices allow users to mute WhatsApp notifications, and you may have done this by accident. So, you’ll need to unmute them.

• Launch your phone settings.
• Go to the Apps section.
• Locate WhatsApp.
• Tap on WhatsApp, from this menu you can toggle which notifications you want to enable.

Sometimes, when you have low power mode enabled, it will reduce background apps data usage or put an app to sleep. Whilst it will save your phone’s battery life, it can also stop important notifications from being received.

Here’s how to turn off power-saving mode:

• Open device settings.
• Select Battery.
• Turn off power saving mode.

If you have background data restriction enabled, then when you aren’t actively on the app, you will not receive alerts.

Here’s how to enable background data:

Android

• Open settings.
• Go to apps.
• Find and select WhatsApp.
• Now, tap on app data usage and allow background data usage.

iPhone

• Got to Settings.
• Search for WhatsApp.
• Click on General.
• Allow background app refresh.

By default, WhatsApp should automatically update. But sometimes, this feature is turned off. Ensuring your WhatsApp is up to date is a good way to ensure that you have no compatibility issues and can get notifications for WhatsApp messages.

• Go to the Google Play Store or App Store.
• Search for WhatsApp and download the update if there is one available.

WhatsApp automatically creates cache in your phone’s storage. This is meant to help speed up the app. However, at times, the cache can get corrupted and cause issues.

Here’s how to clear your WhatsApp cache:

Android

• Go to your phone’s settings.
• Go to Apps & Notifications.
• Select WhatsApp.
• Tap on Storage and Cache.
• Now clear the cache.

iPhone

iPhone doesn’t allow users to clear cache. If you have an iPhone, you will need to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.

If you are signed into the WhatsApp app for PC and Mac, then all of your notifications will be directed there. Here’s how to sign out of WhatsApp Web and Desktop:

• Open WhatsApp.
• Press the three dots in the top right corner.
• Tap the Link Device option.
• Here, you will see a list of all linked devices.
• Press on all the devices to unlink them.

When Do Not Disturb is enabled, all notifications will be stopped from being displayed as a banner. Luckily, this can be quickly switched off.

Android

• Pull down the settings menu from the top of the screen.
• From here, you can enable or disable do not disturb mode.
• Make sure it is toggled off.

iPhone

• Go to settings.
• Select the do not disturb option.
• On the next screen, make sure it is disabled.

Resetting your network settings can also fix the WhatsApp notifications problem. This can be done by going to the reset settings of your device and selecting Network only.