Have you ever been working from your computer, had WhatsApp Web open, and didn't receive notifications even though you knew someone was texting you? This is a more common problem than it seems and can be due to multiple causes, ranging from improper browser or system configuration to connection errors or even internal power-saving functions.
In this article we explain In a very complete and detailed way, all the reasons why WhatsApp Web notifications may fail and the most important, what you can do step by step to solve itWe've gathered all the information from the leading technology websites in one place, including specific solutions for each situation, useful tips, and tricks to help you stay on top of all your messages without missing a beat.
Why aren't WhatsApp Web notifications coming in?
When WhatsApp Web notifications do not appear on your computer, There may be a failure in the configuration of the browser, the operating system, the mobile app or even the web platform itself.Here we address all possible errors and solutions:
Settings in the browser
One of the most frequent failures is that Notifications are disabled in the browser Without you even knowing it. When you first open WhatsApp Web, your browser asks for permission to send push notifications. If you deny it or don't respond, the alerts won't arrive.
To activate them correctly, follow these steps:
- Open Google Chrome or your usual browser and go to web.whatsapp.com.
- Click on the icon of the padlock that appears to the left of the address bar.
- Click on the option Notifications and select Allow.
- If that option doesn't appear, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Website settings > Notifications and add WhatsApp Web as an allowed site.
In addition to adjusting it in the browser, Check that you do not have any focus mode or system notification blocking activated. such as Focus Assist in Windows or Do Not Disturb mode in macOS.
Operating system settings
The browser may have the correct permissions, but The operating system itself prevents notifications from appearingThis is often seen in Windows 10 and 11 when you accidentally activate some focus or silent mode.
Check the following:
- Go to Windows Settings and enter System > Notifications.
- Search for WhatsApp Web or the browser you are using (Chrome, Firefox) and make sure that notifications are on.
- Also disable Focus Assist if it is enabled, as it temporarily blocks notifications.
On macOS, go to System Preferences > Notifications and check that your browser allows visual and audible alerts.
WhatsApp Web is not activated for notifications
Another common mistake has to do with Do not activate notifications directly from the WhatsApp Web interfaceWhen you log in for the first time, a message appears asking if you allow notifications. If you ignore it, they may not appear.
Solve it like this:
- Open WhatsApp Web and click on the three points in the top left-hand corner.
- Click on Settings > Notifications.
- Activate the options “Sounds”, “Desktop Notifications” and “Preview”.
In many browsers, you can also check from the settings panel whether pop-up notifications are enabled and remain active when you close the browser.
Error due to having multiple sessions open
WhatsApp allows you to have multiple active sessions on different devices, but Notifications will only arrive on the device where you are actively using the app.If you have multiple sessions open, make sure the session on the device you're using is active and up to date to receive alerts.
For example, if you have WhatsApp Web open on two computers and you are using one of them, the other will stop showing notificationsTo avoid problems, it's best to close sessions you're not using:
- From your mobile, open WhatsApp and tap on “Linked devices”.
- Review all active sessions and press "Close all sessions" if you don't recognize one or are having conflicts.
Mobile configuration
As it is an extension of the app on the device, WhatsApp Web depends on the mobile being turned on, connected to the Internet and working properly.A lack of connection on your mobile phone can prevent notifications from arriving on the web.
Check the following:
- The mobile must have Internet access, either via WiFi or mobile data.
- Turn off the airplane mode if it is activated.
- Check if you can send messages from the mobile app. If you can't, restart the connection or the device.
- Update WhatsApp from the app store and make sure you have the latest version available.
Also keep in mind that If your phone's battery is very low and goes into power saving mode, it can affect the functioning of WhatsApp.Some phones limit notifications or other background functions to save power.
Android and iOS specific settings
On many Android or iOS devices, There are advanced settings that could be interfering with notifications.Here are the most important ones you should review:
Notification permissions
- Go to the mobile settings.
- Accede to Apps > WhatsApp > Notifications.
- Make sure all notification categories are turned on.
Do not disturb mode
- This mode silences all notifications without exception.
- Swipe down the notification bar and turn off Do Not Disturb if you have it active.
- You can also schedule it to turn on only at certain times.
Background data restriction
- Access the data usage settings of your mobile.
- Search for WhatsApp and make sure it has permission to use background data.
Battery optimization / power saving
- Some manufacturers block background activities to save battery.
- Enter the battery settings and add WhatsApp to unrestricted apps.
Muted or archived chats
If you don't receive alerts from certain chats but you do from others, it may be because you have silenced or archived themWhatsApp allows you to mute groups or individual conversations for 8 hours, 1 week, or forever. It also allows you to archive chats to hide them from the main list.
Check the following:
- Open the chat and tap on the contact or group name.
- Check if "Mute notifications" is on and turn it off.
- If the chat is archived, go to the bottom of your chat list, go to “Archived,” and turn off the “Keep Archived” option.
Limitation on sending or uploading files
If some photos or videos aren't appearing on WhatsApp Web, it could be for several reasons:
- The file it's no longer available on your mobile or on your contact's mobile.
- The video you are trying to send from the web version exceeds the allowed 64 MB.
Solutions for these cases:
- Ask your contact to I forwarded the image or video to you.
- Use tools to compress or crop videos if they exceed the maximum size.
- Send them from your mobile phone if it's not possible on the web.
Connection problems on both PC and mobile
Internet connection on both your computer and your mobile phone It is essential for WhatsApp Web to workIf either of these fails, you'll see error messages like "Phone offline" or "Computer offline."
Try this:
- Verify that both devices are connected to an active network.
- Restart your router or change networks if possible.
- Turn airplane mode off and back on on your phone.
- Press F5 in the browser to refresh the page.
The QR code does not load
When you access WhatsApp Web for the first time, you must scan a QR code from your mobile. If that code does not appear, it may be due to a slow or dropped connection.
Do the following:
- Wait a few seconds to see if it appears.
- Reload the page with F5.
- Try another network or open the page in incognito mode.
Check if WhatsApp is down
Sometimes the problem isn't with your devices, but with the service itself. WhatsApp has suffered temporary global or regional declines that affect both the app and the web version.
To check if this is the case:
- Accede to Downdetector and search for WhatsApp.
- If there are many reports, all that remains is to wait for the service to be restored.
- You can also check social networks like X (formerly Twitter) to see if other users are commenting on the same situation.
To troubleshoot notification issues on WhatsApp Web, it's essential to review and adjust settings in both your browser and operating system, ensure the mobile app is active and connected, and verify a good internet connection. Most issues can be resolved with simple steps such as enabling permissions, closing unused sessions, or updating apps and devices. Share the information so that other users know about the topic.