The WhatsApp desktop application facilitates voice and video calls directly from your Windows PC. Although it works most of the time, the app may experience some issues and prevent you from making and receiving WhatsApp calls.
Often the problem is insufficient permissions with your system’s microphone and camera, but there are other causes. As such, let’s look at some common contributing factors as to why your WhatsApp calls are not working on Windows 11
1. Re-enable incoming office calls
WhatsApp lets you configure notifications, including the ability to mute all incoming office calls. If you turn off office calls, you won’t get any notifications for incoming calls, making it look like you’re not getting any.
Here’s how to reconfigure and enable notifications for all incoming office calls.
- Launch the WhatsApp desktop app.
- Click it three dot menu in the upper left corner and select Settings.
- Then click on the Notice tab in the left pane.
- Here check the Incoming call ringtone and Mute all incoming office calls options.
- Quit and restart the WhatsApp desktop app to see if you can receive your calls without any issues.
2. Check your internet connection
WhatsApp voice calls do not necessarily require a high-speed internet connection. However, a reliable connection is necessary to avoid dropped calls and frequent glitches. You can perform a network speed test to check your internet speed.
If you can’t find any issues with your connection, try switching between the different networks available. For example, if you’re using 2.5 GHz Wi-Fi, switch to a 5 GHz network or your mobile hotspot.
If WhatsApp calls work when connected to another network, check your router’s network settings and firewall configuration.
3. Keep WhatsApp app open
Unlike most instant messaging and team collaboration apps, the WhatsApp desktop app closes when you quit the app. It is therefore important to minimize it rather than closing and exiting the application.
So, when you are not actively using the app, make sure it is running in the background to receive calls.
4. Check your camera and microphone permissions
WhatsApp requires permission to use your computer’s microphone and camera if you want to make video calls. Make sure the app has the necessary permissions to access these devices.
To enable the microphone for the WhatsApp desktop app:
- Hurry Win + I open Settings.
- Open the Privacy and Security tab in the left pane.
- Scroll to Application permissions section.
- Then click on Microphone.
- Make sure the Microphone access option is set to On.
- Also make sure that the Allow apps to access your microphone option is On.
- Scroll down and locate the WhatsApp application.
- Next, toggle the switch to enable notification for WhatsApp desktop app.
With the microphone permission granted, you should be able to make WhatsApp calls from your PC.
Also, if the problem exists with video calls, make sure the app has access to your internal or external camera.
To enable camera permission for WhatsApp in Windows:
- Hurry Win + I open Settings.
- Then open the Privacy and Security tab in the left pane.
- Scroll down and click on the Camera option under the App permission section.
- Here, make sure both Access to the camera and Allow apps to access your camera option is of On.
- Next, scroll down and locate the WhatsApp app and toggle the switch to enable camera access for the app.
5. Repair or remove WhatsApp desktop app
You can use the built-in repair feature in Windows to repair issues with the application. Here’s how.
- Hurry Win + I open Settings.
- Then open the apps tab in the left pane.
- Click on Apps and features.
- Here locate WhatsAppclick on the three-dot menu and select Advanced Choice.
- Scroll to Reset section and click on the Repair button. After the repair is complete, check for any improvements.
- If the problem persists, click the Reset button on the WhatsApp advanced options page.
- Click on Yes to confirm the action and wait for the app to reset to factory settings.
As a last resort, you can try deleting and reinstalling the app. Here’s how.
- Open the Settings page.
- Go to Apps > Apps and features.
- Locate WhatsApp and click on the three-point menu.
- Select Uninstall. Click on Uninstall again to confirm the action.
- Once uninstalled, perform a reboot. You can reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store.
Redo WhatsApp calls from your PC
WhatsApp call in desktop app may stop working due to insufficient permission to access your system microphone and camera. If the problem persists, check your WhatsApp notification configuration and troubleshoot your internet connection to fix the problem.