Can't see or hear notifications

Android
iOS
Windows
Mac
Issues with notifications can be resolved by trying the steps below.

Internet connection issues

Check if you have an internet connection by opening a browser and going to a website. If that doesn’t work, try these connection troubleshooting steps.

Notifications are turned off or silenced

When WhatsApp notifications are turned off within your phone’s settings, incoming WhatsApp notifications are silenced.

Turn on WhatsApp notifications in your phone’s settings:

  1. Go to your phone’s Settings > Notifications > App notifications.
  2. Scroll down and tap WhatsApp. Turn on notifications.

Turn on notifications in WhatsApp:

  1. Tap
    more options
    > Settings > Notifications.
  2. Turn on the notifications you’d like to receive.

Background data restricted

  1. Tap your phone's Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Mobile data and Wi-Fi.
  2. Turn Background data off and on.

Do not disturb is turned on

Make sure Do not disturb is turned off. Go to your phone's Settings > Sound and vibration > Do not disturb > Off.

Restart your device

Turn your device off and back on.
Note:
  • Your phone’s settings override WhatsApp settings. Check your phone’s settings if you aren’t receiving notifications.
  • If you've tried the troubleshooting options above and still aren’t receiving notifications, we recommend you contact your phone’s manufacturer for further assistance.

Turn on notifications in Windows settings

  1. Open Windows Settings.
  2. Click System > Notifications > WhatsApp.
  3. Under Notifications, click On to turn notifications on and off.

Turn on notifications in WhatsApp

Check if WhatsApp notifications are turned off in your WhatsApp settings:
  1. Click WhatsApp Settings > Notifications.
    • Click Messages to turn notifications on and off for new messages.
    • Click Reactions to turn notifications on and off for reactions.
    • Click Calls to turn notifications on and off for calls.

Turn on notifications when WhatsApp is closed

Check if WhatsApp is allowed to send notifications when the desktop app is closed:
  1. Click WhatsApp Settings > Notifications.
    • Under Show banner notifications, select Always.
    • Under Show taskbar notification badge, select Always.

Unmute chats

  1. Open an individual or group chat.
  2. Click the individual or group chat name.
  3. Click Muted under Mute notifications.
  4. Click Unmute.
Note:
  • You can’t receive notifications from chats that you’ve muted.
  • If you mute an individual or group chat on your phone, it'll also be muted on your computer. All other notification settings are independent of your phone and computer and don't affect one another.

Allow WhatsApp to run in background

  1. Open Windows.
  2. Click Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
  3. Find WhatsApp on the list and click
    more
    > Advanced options.
  4. Under Background App Permissions, select Always.

Related resources

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