Alex Ruben
How To Troubleshoot WhatsApp Calls Not Ringing on Android in 2025
If incoming WhatsApp calls aren’t ringing and it’s making you wonder if your phone just decided to go mute at the worst moment, you’re not alone. Plenty of folks run into this weird glitch where notifications just don’t alert them properly. Here’s a combination of tips that kind of helped fix this on some devices — without overcomplicating it. Spoiler: it’s usually some permissions or setting conflict. Why it happens? No clue, but hey, it’s Android, so things tend to be a bit wonky sometimes.
Step 1: Access WhatsApp App Info
Alright, first step is to get into the App Info for WhatsApp. That’s where you can tweak permissions and see if anything’s outta whack. So:
- Press and hold that WhatsApp icon on your home screen or in the app drawer until a menu pops up.
- Select App Info — on some phones, it might be a gear or “i” icon — but just find App Info in the menu.
Why? Because lots of times, notifications are turned off or permissions are misconfigured here. When that happens, WhatsApp just stays silent.
Step 2: Check App Permissions
This step is super common — permissions can get messed up or accidentally disabled, especially if you did some cleaning or system update. Head to Permissions. If you’re on a stock Android, it’s usually in App Info under Permissions. Make sure WhatsApp has access to everything relevant—especially Notification and Microphone.
- In Permissions, ensure All permissions are allowed, particularly things like Contacts, Microphone, and Notifications.
- If any permission is off, tap it and tap Allow. Sometimes on some devices, permissions get reset after updates or cleaning apps.
Real-world bug: On some setups, permissions look OK but notifications still don’t show up. That’s when you might need to restart your phone or toggle permissions again.
Step 3: Verify Notification Settings
This one’s obvious but overlooked. Gets weird if you have flopped around settings without realizing it. Return to App Info for WhatsApp, then tap on Notifications. Check that the toggle is on, and peek into the notification categories — make sure that alerts for calls are enabled, sounds are turned on, and no silencers are activated.
Some phones have custom notification controls in Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Notifications. Double-check there that notifications aren’t paused or muted.
Expectations? If notifications were off, toggling them on should bring call alerts back shortly. But sometimes, even with everything enabled, notifications refuse to show. That’s when restarting the device can help or resetting notification permissions.
Step 4: Adjust Battery Saver & Background Restrictions
Now, this is kinda hidden. Android loves to restrict background activity to save battery, but that can also block WhatsApp from getting incoming notifications. To fix this, go to Settings > Battery. If your device has a Battery Optimization setting—on Samsung, it’s called Optimize battery usage—make sure WhatsApp is set to No restrictions.
On some phones:
- Within Battery or Device Care, find Apps, then look for WhatsApp and set it to “Don’t optimize”.
Note: Some phones also have a Power Saving Mode. Disable that if it’s active, because it can block notifications altogether. Happens on a lot of Samsung, Xiaomi, and others.
Step 5: Clear Cache & Data (sometimes needed)
This is a bit of a nuclear option, but surprisingly effective. Head back into App Info for WhatsApp, then tap Storage & Cache. First, tap Clear Cache. If that doesn’t fix stuff, go ahead and tap Clear Data — but know this will log you out and reset some settings. Shield your chats if possible or back up first.
Expectations: Clearing cache can remove corrupted temporary files that stop notifications from working properly. Clearing data resets app preferences, so it’s worth trying if nothing else worked.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Few things often missed:
- Double-check that Do Not Disturb mode isn’t active — that’s an obvious one, but easy to forget.
- Make sure your device and WhatsApp are both updated — bugs often get fixed in newer versions.
- If nothing’s working, reinstalling WhatsApp might be the last shot. Sometimes, an app update bug causes this kinda behavior.
Conclusion
Getting WhatsApp calls to ring again typically boils down to permissions, notifications, and background restrictions. If those are all good, app or system updates often fix the rest. Bit annoying, but once you nail it down, those calls should ring true again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my WhatsApp calls still not ringing after all this?
If calls still stay silent, check if Do Not Disturb is on, or if any other app (like a third-party notification blocker) is interfering. Sometimes, restarting the device after changing permissions fixes weird bugs.
Resetting WhatsApp to default settings?
You can go to Settings > Apps > Reset App Preferences, which will reset permissions and notification settings for all apps, including WhatsApp. Won’t delete chats, just resets the permissions.
Contact WhatsApp support?
Yes, you can do that via the app > Settings > Help > Contact Us or visit the official support page. Sometimes, bugs require developer fixes.
Summary
- Make sure permissions are fully granted.
- Check notifications are enabled and not muted.
- Disable battery restrictions that might be blocking WhatsApp.
- Clear cache or even data if needed.
- Check DND mode and app updates.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Because of course, Android has to make it more complicated than necessary.