There is nothing more annoying than WhatsApp crashing on your phone when you need to read an urgent message on the app. There could be multiple reasons behind this unusual behaviour, which means you’ll have to go through several methods to diagnose and fix the issue. If you don’t have much time on your hands, here are 10 quick ways to fix the ‘WhatsApp keeps crashing’ issue on your Android phone.
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In This Article
Why does WhatsApp keep crashing on my device?
There are a multitude of reasons that could be causing these unexpected causes. One of the most common reasons behind app malfunctions is corrupted files in the cache. If you don’t clear the app’s cache regularly, the older unused data can corrupt over time. These corrupt files can keep the app from functioning properly.
Another reason that goes under the radar while diagnosing the erratic app behaviour is the lack of storage on your device. Apps like WhatsApp need some breathing space on your device’s memory to run correctly. If someone sends you a video on WhatsApp and there isn’t enough memory on your device to store it, the app will shut down unexpectedly.
The good news is that issues can be sorted out rather easily. Go through our list of fixes one by one and check the app after completing every method. Let us know which method worked for you!
Force Stop and Restart WhatsApp
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Apps.
Step 2: Select WhatsApp.
Step 3: Tap on Force Stop.
Step 4: Confirm your selection in the popup box.
Step 5: Launch WhatsApp from the app drawer.
Restart your phone
If restarting WhatsApp doesn’t work, try restarting your phone instead. It is possible that an OS-related issue may be causing WhatsApp to crash on your device. Minor issues on your phone can be fixed with a quick reboot. To restart your phone, press and hold the side key and select Restart from the list of options. Some phones may require pressing the side key and volume up key simultaneously to access the power menu.
Clear WhatsApp’s cache
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Select Apps.
Step 3: Select WhatsApp.
Step 4: Tap on Storage.
Step 5: Select Clear Cache.
Reinstall WhatsApp
Sometimes, clearing the cache and force-stopping the app isn’t good enough. You may need to uninstall it altogether and then reinstall it on your device. It may not be the ideal solution, but it can fix the background issues causing the app to crash. Before you delete WhatsApp from your device, make sure you have backed up your chat history. Upon reinstalling the app, you will need to verify your phone number. After that, you can restore your chat history from the backup you just created.
Update WhatsApp
If you’re using a very old version of WhatsApp, it may no longer be compatible with your device. This can lead to the app crashing as soon as you try to open it. To fix this issue, head over to the Google Play Store, search for WhatsApp, and tap Update on the app’s page. Once updated, WhatsApp will resume normal functioning.
Clear storage space
Lack of enough storage space can cause certain apps to crash on your phone. In order to accommodate temporary files, WhatsApp needs a fair bit of free storage space to work. If the app keeps crashing every time you try to download the media sent to you, it is very likely that lack of storage space is the reason behind this unusual behaviour. Go to Settings>Storage and make some space on your device by deleting all the redundant and rarely used files.
Reset App Preferences
Resetting app preferences is the quickest way to restore all the apps on your phone to their factory settings without losing any data. If you suspect that WhatsApp is crashing because of a setting you changed recently, resetting the app preferences will help fix it. Doing so will reset customised settings for all the apps on your phone, not just WhatsApp. Go to Settings>Apps, tap the ellipses, and select Reset App Preferences from the list of options.
Check Internet Connectivity
If your phone is receiving a poor network, it could cause WhatsApp to crash. Since the messaging app is reliant on the Internet to send and receive messages and media, the lack of a good connection can create trouble. Move to an area with a better network reception to switch to WiFi to get rid of this issue.
Update your phone
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Software Update.
Step 2: Hit Download and Install.
Step 3: Select Install Now.
Ask WhatsApp Support for help
If you have tried every fix on this list and still can’t resolve this issue, the only option you are left with is to contact WhatsApp Support for help. Thankfully, WhatsApp makes it very easy for you to reach out to them. Hit the ellipses and select Settings. Then go to Help>Contact us. Explain in detail the problem you are facing with the app. WhatsApp’s support team will respond to you within the app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does WhatsApp keep crashing on my Android phone?
There could be several reasons behind this unusual behaviour. The most likely reasons are lack of internal storage space, outdated version of the app, internet and connectivity issues, and background issues related to the OS.
How do I fix the ‘WhatsApp keeps crashing’ issue on my phone?
Force stop and restart the WhatsApp app on your device. Make sure your phone has enough free space in its internal memory. Clear WhatsApp’s cache and restart your phone for good measure.
Why does WhatsApp stop working every time I download a picture on the app?
This is likely because your phone does not have enough space in its internal memory to store the downloaded media. Clear up some storage space and try again.
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Conclusion
These are the 10 quick ways to fix the ‘WhatsApp keeps crashing’ issue on your Android device. If these methods don’t work for you, you can perform a factory reset on your device as a last-ditch measure. Make sure you back up all your personal data before resetting your phone. You can also report the issue to WhatsApp support and seek their advice on the matter.
