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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhen WhatsApp Web stops working, the cause is usually local: an expired QR code, blocked cookies, a browser extension, damaged site data, or a network that filters the connection. Start by opening web.whatsapp.com directly, then work through the checks below in order.
1. Check whether WhatsApp itself is working
Before changing browser settings, test WhatsApp on your phone:
- Open a chat and load recent messages.
- Send a message.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data and try again.
If WhatsApp fails on both your phone and the computer, the problem may be a service or account issue rather than a browser problem. An outage-monitoring site can provide a clue, but user-report sites are not official confirmation.
2. Use the official WhatsApp Web address
Enter https://web.whatsapp.com/ manually in the browser. Do not scan a QR code from a pop-up, an advertisement, or a link received in a message. Linking a device gives that browser access to your WhatsApp account.
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To link the browser:
- Open WhatsApp Web on the computer.
- On Android, open WhatsApp → More options → Linked devices → Link a device.
- On iPhone, open WhatsApp → Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device.
- Unlock the phone and scan the QR code shown in the browser.
WhatsApp allows up to four additional non-phone companion devices. If you have reached that limit, remove an old session from Linked devices and try again. If you see an unfamiliar device, select it and choose Log out.
3. Refresh the QR code
A QR code that has been sitting on the screen may no longer be valid. Refresh web.whatsapp.com, wait for a new code, and scan that code from Linked devices.
If the camera cannot read the code, look for Link with phone number instead on the WhatsApp Web page. This provides an alternative linking method without using the phone’s QR scanner.
4. Test WhatsApp Web in a private window
Open an incognito or private browsing window and visit the official site.
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- It works privately: the normal browser profile probably has bad site data, a conflicting extension, or restrictive privacy settings.
- It fails there too: investigate the network, browser, phone app, or WhatsApp service.
A private window is a diagnostic test. It does not repair the normal browser profile by itself.
5. Clear only WhatsApp Web’s site data
Do not start by deleting every browser cookie. That can sign you out of unrelated websites and remove saved preferences. Remove the data for WhatsApp Web first.
Firefox
- Open
web.whatsapp.com. - Click the padlock or shield icon to the left of the address bar.
- Select Clear Cookies and Site data.
- Reload the page and link the device again.
You can also use Firefox’s broader site-data manager: Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security → Manage Data… under Cookies and Site Data. Search for WhatsApp, remove the matching entry, and select Save Changes.
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Chrome
Open More → Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings. Use Chrome’s site-data controls to remove stored data for web.whatsapp.com, then reopen the site.
Edge
Go to Settings and more → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Site Permissions → All sites. Select the WhatsApp site and manage its stored data or permissions.
6. Temporarily disable extensions
Ad blockers, script blockers, privacy tools, antivirus extensions, and corporate filtering extensions can interfere with WhatsApp Web’s scripts, storage, WebSocket connection, or media features.
Start with a private-window test. If WhatsApp Web works there, disable extensions in the normal window one at a time and reload the page after each change. This identifies the conflicting extension without leaving security software disabled permanently.
7. Check cookies, JavaScript, and tracking protection
WhatsApp Web is a JavaScript application that needs to retain site data. Blocking cookies or persistent storage can cause the QR code to reappear, send you back to the login screen, or prevent linking from completing.
Check the browser’s permissions for web.whatsapp.com and make sure:
- JavaScript is allowed.
- Cookies and site storage are not blocked for the site.
- Tracking protection is not set so aggressively that it breaks the page.
- The browser is not configured to delete the site’s data whenever it closes.
If you use Firefox, test by reducing tracking protection for this site or removing a site-specific block. Restore your usual protection after identifying the cause, where possible.
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8. Update WhatsApp and the browser
Update WhatsApp through Google Play or the Apple App Store. Then update the computer browser through its own settings or About page. The phone app authorizes new companion devices, so an outdated app can prevent a new link from completing.
There is no single reliable minimum browser version that applies to every operating system and browser. Use a current release of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari rather than relying on an old installation.
9. Try another browser or network
Test WhatsApp Web in another current mainstream browser. If it works there, the original browser profile or settings are the likely cause.
Also try a phone hotspot. A work, school, hotel, or public network can allow ordinary websites while blocking traffic WhatsApp Web needs.
| Test result | Likely cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Works in a private window | Extension, cookies, cached site data, or privacy setting | Clear WhatsApp data and disable extensions one at a time |
| Works in another browser | Problem with the original browser profile | Reset the site permissions or create a fresh browser profile |
| Works on a phone hotspot only | Network filtering or firewall rules | Contact the network administrator |
| Fails on phone and computer | Phone connection, account, or WhatsApp service issue | Check the service and wait before relinking repeatedly |
10. Correct the computer’s date and time
An incorrect clock can cause secure connections and authentication to fail. In the computer’s date and time settings, enable automatic time and automatic time-zone adjustment. Restart the browser and try again.
Fixes for specific WhatsApp Web problems
The QR code is missing or the page is blank
- Hard-refresh the page.
- Test a private window.
- Disable extensions and content filters.
- Clear WhatsApp Web’s site data.
- Try another browser and network.
JavaScript blocking, corrupt cached files, browser settings, and network filtering are common causes.
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Confirm that both the phone and computer have internet access, the phone app is updated, and the QR code was generated recently. Check the linked-device limit and verify that cookies and scripts are allowed. If the camera is the problem, use Link with phone number instead.
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WhatsApp Web keeps logging out
This usually points to deleted or blocked site storage, a corrupted session, or a device that was removed from the phone. Clear only web.whatsapp.com’s site data, reopen the site, and link it again. Also check whether the browser clears cookies whenever it closes.
Messages are stuck on “Connecting”
Check whether the phone can send and receive messages and whether other websites load on the computer. Then test WhatsApp Web over a phone hotspot or in another browser. If it works on the hotspot but not the work or school network, the network administrator needs to investigate.
Notifications do not appear
Notification problems do not necessarily mean the WhatsApp Web session is disconnected. Check the browser’s notification permission for web.whatsapp.com, the operating system’s notification settings, and Do Not Disturb, Focus, or quiet-hours modes. The browser may also be prevented from running notifications in the background.
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Calls fail while messages work
WhatsApp Web now supports one-to-one and group audio and video calls, including screen sharing. Calls need browser and operating-system access to the microphone and camera.
In Chrome, open More → Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings, then choose Camera or Microphone and allow web.whatsapp.com.
In Firefox, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions. Select Settings… beside Camera or Microphone, then allow WhatsApp or remove an old block so Firefox asks again.
On macOS Safari, use Safari → Settings → Websites → Camera. Also check Apple menu → System Settings → Privacy & Security. A work-managed browser or computer may prevent you from changing these permissions.
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When to contact WhatsApp support
Escalate the issue if WhatsApp Web still fails at the official address in a current browser, a private window, a second network, and with both a fresh QR code and phone-number linking.
Before contacting support, record the exact error, browser and version, operating system, phone model, WhatsApp version, and whether the problem occurs on another network. That information makes an account-side or platform-specific problem easier to diagnose.
Avoid unofficial WhatsApp clients and “repair” browser extensions. They are not a safe troubleshooting step and may expose login credentials.
FAQ
Does my phone have to stay connected to the internet for WhatsApp Web to work?
Not continuously. WhatsApp’s multi-device system lets linked companion devices connect independently. The phone is still needed to register the account and authorize a new device.
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Do my phone and computer need to use the same Wi-Fi network?
No. They need suitable internet access during linking and normal use, but they do not have to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Why does WhatsApp Web keep showing the QR code?
Common causes include blocked cookies or site storage, disabled JavaScript, an extension, damaged site data, or an expired session. Try a private window, then clear only the data for web.whatsapp.com.
Is scanning a QR code the only way to link WhatsApp Web?
No. Select Link with phone number instead on the official WhatsApp Web page if QR scanning does not work.
Why do WhatsApp Web messages work but calls do not?
Calling uses separate camera and microphone permissions. Allow those permissions for web.whatsapp.com in the browser and in the operating system, and check whether a work-managed device blocks access.
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The fastest reliable sequence is: verify WhatsApp works on the phone, open web.whatsapp.com directly, generate a fresh QR code, test a private window, clear WhatsApp Web’s site data, disable conflicting extensions, and try another browser or network. Do not assume that the phone must remain online, that both devices need the same Wi-Fi, or that deleting all browser history is necessary.
