What’s the fun of having a calling feature if you aren’t notified about incoming calls? Users sometimes face the problem where incoming WhatsApp calls are not showing on the screen, but the phone is ringing. Basically, WhatsApp calls show a black screen while ringing. This tutorial shows several ways to fix the issue of incoming WhatsApp calls showing a black screen on Android and iPhone.
FYI: getting tired of all those spam calls? Learn how to stop getting spam calls on your Android.
1. Restart Phone
The first solution to try when troubleshooting why your WhatsApp calls are appearing on a dark screen is restarting your phone, whether it’s an Android or iPhone. Sometimes, a simple bug could be causing this, and a restart would fix that.
2. Enable WhatsApp Notifications
WhatsApp notifications being turned off is one of the major reasons for WhatsApp not displaying incoming calls. You must check WhatsApp settings and enable its notifications by following the steps below for Android and iPhone.
Turn on WhatsApp Notifications on Android
- Open “Settings” on your Android phone.
- Go to “Apps” followed by “WhatsApp.”
- Tap on “Notifications.”
- Ensure the toggle next to “All WhatsApp notifications” is enabled.
- Scroll down and tap on the “Call notifications” option.
- Ensure all notifications are turned on. Enable the toggle next to “Show notifications” and select “Default” instead of “Silent.” Also, enable the toggle next to “Pop on screen.”
- Tap on “Lock screen” and select “Show all notification content.”
Tip: On Samsung Galaxy phones, follow the first four steps (i.e., go to “Settings -> Apps -> WhatsApp -> Notifications” and enable notifications). Then, select “Allow sound and vibration” under “Alerts.” Also, make sure that all items under “Notification types” are selected. Then, tap on “Notification categories” followed by “Call notification,” and repeat steps 6 through 9.
Tip: learn how to manage notifications on Android phones.
Turn on WhatsApp Notifications on iPhone
- Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “WhatsApp” followed by “Notifications.”
- Enable the toggle next to “Allow Notifications.” Also, make sure that all alert types are selected under “Alerts,” and turn on the toggle for “Sounds.” Then, tap on “Show Previews” and select “Always (Default).”
Tip: learn how to hide notifications on an Android lock screen.
3. Turn Off Do Not Disturb
If Do Not Disturb is enabled on your phone, you will not see call or message notifications from WhatsApp or any other app. You must turn off Do Not Disturb on your phone as shown below.
Disable Do Not Disturb on Android
- On Android, go to “Settings.”
- Tap on “Sound & vibration” followed by “Do Not Disturb.”
- Tap on “Turn off now.” Also, make sure no schedule is set under the Schedules section.
Tip: On Samsung Galaxy phones, go to “Settings -> Notifications -> Do not disturb.” Turn off the toggles next to “Do not disturb” and any schedule. You should also check whether any mode is enabled under “Settings -> Modes and routines.”
Disable Do Not Disturb on iPhone
On iPhone, the Do Not Disturb mode is under Focus modes. You must turn off any active focus mode like Do Not Disturb to fix the issue of WhatsApp calls showing a black screen.
- Open Control Center on your iPhone.
- Tap on the “Focus” or “Do Not Disturb” tile.
- Tap on the active focus mode to turn it off.
Tip: learn how to selectively silence notifications on your iPhone.
4. Update WhatsApp
WhatsApp calls not showing on the screen could be a problem in the WhatsApp app itself. You must update the app to fix this issue.
Open Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone) and search for WhatsApp. Tap on the “Update” button if available for WhatsApp.
5. Enable Background Data
WhatsApp recommends keeping the background data turned on and not restricted for its notifications to work properly.
Turn on Background Data Usage on Android
- On your Android phone, go to “Settings -> Apps -> WhatsApp.”
- Tap on “Mobile Data & Wi-Fi,” and enable the toggle next to “Background data.”
Turn on Background Data Usage on iPhone
- On your iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll to find “WhatsApp.”
- Enable the toggles next to “Background App Refresh” and “Mobile Data.”
6. Clear Cache (Android)
On Android phones, try clearing the cache for the WhatsApp app.
- Go to “Settings -> Apps -> WhatsApp” on your Android phone.
- Tap on “Storage & cache” followed by the “Clear cache” button.
- After clearing the cache, restart your phone.
7. Turn off Battery Saver Mode
Battery Saver or Low Power mode could also be causing WhatsApp calls to show a black screen while ringing. To fix it, try turning off these modes on your phone.
Disable Battery Saver on Android
- Go to “Settings” on your Android phone.
- Tap on “Battery” followed by “Battery Saver.”
- Turn off the toggle next to “Use Battery Saver.”
Tip: on Samsung Galaxy phones, go to “Settings -> Battery and device care -> Battery.” Turn off the toggle for “Power Saving.”
Disable Battery Saver on iPhone
- Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
- Go to “Battery” and turn off the toggle for “Low Power Mode.”
Tip: when Low Power Mode is enabled on your iPhone, the battery icon will turn yellow.
8. Log Out from Connected Devices
If you are also using WhatsApp on linked devices, like a computer, try logging out of WhatsApp from the other device.
To log out of WhatsApp on your computer, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your Android or iPhone.
- On Android, tap on the “three-dot icon” at the top and select “Linked devices.”
- On iPhone, tap on “Settings” at the bottom and select “Linked Devices.”
- Tap on the device from which you want to log out and select “Log out.”
Tip: check out the best WhatsApp Web tips to get the most out of the service.
9. Reset Settings
As a last result, reset the settings on your phone to fix the WhatsApp calls not showing on the screen. Doing so will restore all the settings to their default values (i.e., Wi-Fi passwords will be deleted, permissions will be reset, and so on). However, nothing will happen to your personal data.
Reset Settings on Android
- Go to “Settings -> System -> Reset options.”
- Tap on “Reset app preferences.”
Tip: on Samsung Galaxy phones, go to “Settings -> General Management -> Reset -> Reset all settings.”
Reset Settings on iPhone
- Go to the Settings app on your iPhone, then “General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone.”
- Tap on “Reset” followed by “Reset All Settings.”
10. Reinstall WhatsApp
If nothing fixes the issue, you must reinstall WhatsApp. For that, you must first uninstall WhatsApp from your phone, then reinstall it. Do create a backup of your WhatsApp chats before uninstalling the app, as you will lose your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I stay on a WhatsApp video call while using other apps?
Minimize WhatsApp by pressing the Home button, or go to your home screen by using a gesture. That will automatically enable picture-in-picture mode on WhatsApp, letting you stay on your video call while using other apps.
Can you record WhatsApp calls?
Yes, you can. Read on to learn how to record WhatsApp audio and video calls.
Can WhatsApp calls be scheduled?
You can kind of schedule WhatsApp calls using the call link feature. Basically, you need to share the call link with the person and tell them to click on the link at the scheduled time. The call will automatically start at that time, without anyone actually calling the other person.
All screenshots and images by Mehvish Mushtaq.
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