Quick answer
Open a webpage in your browser and try other apps. If nothing loads, the problem is your connection. If WhatsApp works on Wi-Fi but not mobile data (or the other way round), WhatsApp says the problem is that connection, not WhatsApp. Then restart your phone, toggle airplane mode, turn off Data saver (Android) or allow Background App Refresh (iPhone), turn off data roaming, update WhatsApp, and try a different Wi-Fi network. If other apps work but WhatsApp doesn’t, WhatsApp says to contact your mobile provider, who may be able to change settings. If it still doesn’t work, ask them about your APN settings.
Does this match what you see?
- WhatsApp won’t connect, or chats, photos and videos won’t load.
- It works on Wi-Fi but not on mobile data, or the other way round.
- Other apps work, but WhatsApp doesn’t.
- WhatsApp Web or Desktop shows a yellow “Computer not connected” message.
- You can’t hear or record audio, including for status.
iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)
Based on WhatsApp Help “How to fix connection issues” (Web, Android, iPhone, Windows and Mac tabs, supplied by the site owner). Setting names vary by phone.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Why WhatsApp might not connect (how common each is, is our estimate).
| What you find | What it means | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Webpages don’t load either | Your internet connection | Fix your connection |
| Wi-Fi works, mobile data doesn’t (or reverse) | That connection, not WhatsApp | Fix your connection |
| Other apps work, WhatsApp doesn’t | Something your mobile provider may be able to fix | Contact your provider |
| WhatsApp Web shows “Computer not connected” | Your computer may not have an active internet connection | WhatsApp Web |
- A weak or missing internet connectionCheck this first
WhatsApp says this is the most common reason.
- Data saver, roaming or background settingsCheck this first
WhatsApp suggests turning off Data saver (Android) and data roaming, and allowing Background App Refresh (iPhone).
- A Wi-Fi network that blocks WhatsAppPossible
WhatsApp says office or university campus Wi-Fi can cause connection issues.
- Mobile network (APN) settingsPossible
WhatsApp says your mobile provider can check your APN settings, which give your phone the details it needs to connect.
- An old app or unsupported phone softwareLess likely
WhatsApp suggests updating WhatsApp and using a supported operating system.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Open a webpage in your browser. If it loads, your phone is connected to the internet.
- Check whether other apps can connect.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Check whether it’s your connection or WhatsApp
These are WhatsApp’s own checks.
- Open a chat and send a message. A clock instead of a check mark means your messages aren’t getting delivered.
- Look at your phone’s network signal: is it blinking or empty?
- Open a webpage in your browser, and check whether other apps connect.
- Try WhatsApp on Wi-Fi and then on mobile data. WhatsApp says if only one fails, the problem is with that connection, not WhatsApp.
- If other apps work but WhatsApp doesn’t, WhatsApp says to contact your mobile provider, who may be able to change settings so WhatsApp works.
Did it work? You know whether the problem is your connection or WhatsApp.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Fix your connection
WhatsApp’s steps for when your phone is connected with a strong signal but WhatsApp still doesn’t work.
iPhone & iPad
- Turn your iPhone off and on again.
- Turn Mobile Data on, and turn Airplane Mode on and off.
- Allow Background App Refresh for WhatsApp.
- Update WhatsApp, and make sure you’re using a supported operating system.
- Turn data roaming off.
- Turn Wi-Fi off and on, or connect to a different Wi-Fi network or hotspot.
- Check your Focus mode so Wi-Fi or data stays on.
Android
- Turn your phone off and on again.
- Turn Mobile data on, and turn Flight mode on and off.
- Turn Data saver off.
- Update WhatsApp, and make sure you’re using a supported operating system.
- Turn data roaming off.
- Turn Wi-Fi off and on, or connect to a different Wi-Fi network or hotspot.
- If Sleep mode is on, check that Wi-Fi stays on.
Did it work? WhatsApp connects and chats load.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Still not connecting?
- Reboot your Wi-Fi router.
- Contact your mobile provider about your APN settings. WhatsApp says an access point name (APN) gives your phone the details it needs to connect to the internet.
- Contact the Wi-Fi network administrator. WhatsApp says office or university campus Wi-Fi can cause connection issues, so try a different network or use mobile data.
- iPhone: forget your Wi-Fi network and reconnect.
- If you can, ask the person you’re trying to reach to do the same checks, in case the problem is on their end.
WhatsApp Web or Desktop: “Computer not connected”
WhatsApp says a yellow icon (Web) or yellow banner (Windows and Mac apps) with “Computer not connected” means your computer may not have an active internet connection. If it doesn’t, contact your internet provider. If it’s connected with a strong signal:
- Web: refresh the page, and clear your browser’s cache and cookies (your browser’s support site explains how). Windows and Mac apps: quit and restart WhatsApp.
- Log out of WhatsApp and log back in.
- Windows and Mac apps: uninstall and download WhatsApp again, and use the latest version.
- Restart your computer: turn it off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
- Try a different Wi-Fi network or a hotspot. WhatsApp says office or university campus Wi-Fi can cause issues.
- WhatsApp says setting your network to bypass traffic to web.whatsapp.com and .whatsapp.net can fix problems caused by Wi-Fi networks that block WhatsApp. Our note: only whoever manages the network (for example, your office IT team) can change this, so ask them.
WhatsApp says WhatsApp Web works on the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera and Safari, but not on some older browsers, including Internet Explorer.
“Devices out of sync”
WhatsApp says you may need to fix your phone’s clock: its date, time and time zone should match where you are. If they’re right but the warning stays, check your internet connection and restart your phone. If the clock stays wrong, WhatsApp says your linked devices may be removed after a while (you can relink them). It recommends setting date and time to Automatic; if it’s still wrong on Automatic, contact your mobile provider.
“A database error occurred on your browser”
WhatsApp says WhatsApp Web stores your messages in your browser’s database, and a problem with it can stop your device linking. Try these in order:
- Open web.whatsapp.com in a different supported browser.
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies. In Chrome: menu > Delete Browsing Data, choose All time, tick Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then Delete data.
- Reset your browser settings. In Chrome: menu > Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults > Reset settings. WhatsApp says this doesn’t delete your bookmarks or saved passwords.
- Restart your computer.
Still seeing it? WhatsApp says to contact it from your phone: iPhone: your profile picture > Help and feedback > Help Center > Contact us. Android: menu > Settings > Help and feedback > Help Center > Contact us.
How to know it worked
- WhatsApp connects, chats and media load, and messages get a check mark.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Connected but messages still won’t send or arrive? See WhatsApp messages not sending or delivering.
- Connected but no alerts? See WhatsApp notifications not working.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
Why is WhatsApp not connecting when my internet works?
WhatsApp says if other apps work but WhatsApp doesn’t, contact your mobile provider, who may be able to change settings so WhatsApp works. You can also ask them about your APN settings. WhatsApp also suggests turning off Data saver (Android) and data roaming, and updating WhatsApp.
Why does WhatsApp work on Wi-Fi but not mobile data?
WhatsApp says if only one connection type fails, the issue is with that connection, not WhatsApp.
What does “Computer not connected” mean on WhatsApp Web or Desktop?
WhatsApp says your computer may not have an active internet connection. On Web, refresh the page or clear your browser’s cache and cookies; in the Windows or Mac app, quit and restart it. You can also log out and back in.
Why doesn’t WhatsApp work on my office or school Wi-Fi?
WhatsApp says office or university campus Wi-Fi can cause connection issues. Try another network or mobile data, or ask the network administrator.
Which browsers work with WhatsApp Web?
WhatsApp says the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera and Safari. It won’t work with some older browsers, including Internet Explorer.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- How to fix connection issues (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Seeing “A database error occurred on your browser” (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Seeing “Devices out of sync” message (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 28 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 28 April 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 28 October 2026: First published.
- 29 October 2026: Added WhatsApp Web database error and “Devices out of sync” fixes.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or WhatsApp. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.