You have unlocked your iPhone and received a bunch of missed WhatsApp calls that didn’t ring when your iPhone was locked. You don’t know why it is happening and how to fix it so that next time you will not miss any WhatsApp call. Just Keep Calm! This article is going to provide all the effective solutions to fix WhatsApp call not ringing when iPhone is locked. So, just go through this article to solve the issue.
Firstly, we will look at a real user practical scenario.
Practical Scenario: DND Is Off But The WhastApp Call Is Not Ringing When The Phone Is Locked
My dnd is off but somehow phone does not ring unless I launched WhatsApp
Source: HardwareZone Forums
Now, we will first look at some basic tips to fix WhatsApp call not ringing when phone is locked.
Basic Tips To Fix WhatsApp Call Not Ringing When iPhone Is Locked
- Restart your iPhone.
- Turn off Silent mode.
- Switch mobile data to Wi-Fi or vice versa.
- Check that the Do Not Disturb Mode (DND) mode is not enabled.
- Update WhatsApp app.
- Install the latest version of OS for your iPhone.
- Enable and disable Airplane mode.
- Turn off battery saver mode.
- Force quit WhatsApp app.
Once you applied all the basic tips but the issue is not solved then you need to follow the below solutions to fix the problem.
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Solution 1: Change WhatsApp Ringtone
If you have set the ringtone that is not loud then you will not hear the calling sound of WhatsApp. So, you should change the ringtone of WhatsApp and set a louder ringtone.
Below, follow the simple steps to do this.
Step 1: Go to Settings and scroll down to WhatsApp.
Step 2: Select Notifications option.
Step 3: Choose Ringtone under WhatsApp Calling Menu. Here, you will find different ringtones. Choose one that has a loud sound and tap on Save.
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Solution 2: Turn Off Low Data Mode/Data Restriction Mode
If you have turned on Low Data Mode on your iPhone then this will restrict the background apps to use mobile data or Wi-Fi. Hence, you should check it, and if it is enabled then disable it. Doing this will also help in solving the issue.
Step 1: Open Settings and then hit on Mobile Data.
Step 2: After this, tap on Mobile Data options.
Step 3: Then turn on Low Data Mode feature.
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Solution 3: Re-Enable WhatsApp Notifications
You can fix this issue by re-enabling WhatsApp’s notification on your iPhone.
Below, follow the steps to do this.
Step 1: Run the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and choose WhatsApp.
Step 3: Then tap on the Notifications option.
Step 4: Now, toggle off Allow Notifications. This will turn off all the notifications for WhatsApp. Keep it disabled for a few minutes and enable it again.
Step 5: Turn on the option again.
Step 6: Next, check that the 3 alerts – Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners are checked and enabled.
Step 7: Also, check that Sounds option is toggled on.
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Solution 4: Turn On Background App Refresh For WhatsApp
If you have disabled background app refresh for WhatsApp then this will not use your internet connection and you will not get any messages and calls on WhatsApp when the app is not opened.
If you have accidentally enabled it or if you have forgotten to disable it then you should immediately go and enable it to get WhatsApp call notification or ringing sound when your device is locked.
Below, follow the simple steps to enable background app refresh for WhatsApp on iPhone.
Step 1: Run the iPhone’s Settings app.
Step 2: Tap on General and then hit on Background App Refresh.
Step 3: Now, you will see a list of apps, look for WhatsApp and toggle on the switch next to it to enable background app refresh for WhatsApp.
Solution 5: Reset Notification Settings
You should also reset the notification settings of WhatsApp to default to solve the issue.
Here, learn how to reset WhatsApp’s notification settings.
Step 1: Run the Settings app and then scroll down and hit on WhatsApp.
Step 2: Tap on the Notifications option.
Step 3: After this, hit on “WhatsApp Notification Settings” at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4: Scroll down and tap on “Reset Notification Settings”. This will reset custom or personal notifications settings.
Step 5: Lastly, hit on Reset.
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Solution 6: Reset Network Settings
If the network settings on your iPhone have some malfunction then this can also trigger WhatsApp calls not ringing when your phone is locked. So, reset the network settings of your iPhone to default in order to solve the issue.
Below, follow the steps to reset the network settings of iPhone.
For iOS 15 or Newer:
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Then tap on General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
Step 3: Next, choose Reset Network Settings.
For iOS 14 Or Earlier:
Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your phone.
Step 2: Then tap on General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Solution 7: Turn Off Noise Cancellation
Noise Cancellation is a feature that reduces the background noise when you receive a call. It may be possible that you have enabled this feature and due to this WhatsApp call ringing sound is not coming. So, check it and if you find it enabled then disable it.
Here’s learn how to turn off Noise Cancellation on iPhone.
Step 1: Navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility.
Step 2: Then, scroll down and hit on Audio/Visual option.
Step 3: Now, toggle off Noise Cancellation.
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Solution 8: Disable Screen Time Restriction For WhatsApp
Screen Time is a feature that limits accessing assigned applications. Some users enable it and forget to disable it. If you have also enabled screen time restriction for WhatsApp and forget to turn it off. Then disable it to solve the error.
Follow, the below steps to turn off screen time restriction for WhatsApp.
Step 1: On your iPhone, run the Settings app.
Step 2: Now, scroll down and tap on Screen Time > App Limit.
Step 3: Select WhatsApp and toggle off App Limit option.
Solution 9: Turn On Show Notification On WhatsApp
If the Show Notification feature is off on your WhatsApp app then you will not receive any notification of WhatsApp messages and calls. Therefore, you are advised to check it and if it is off then enable it to receive WhatsApp call when your iPhone is locked.
Below, learn how to enable show notification on WhatsApp.
Step 1: Run the WhatsApp application on your iPhone.
Step 2: Then go to its Settings.
Step 3: After this, check the Show Notification option for both one-to-one and group messages is enabled.
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Solution 10: Delete And Reinstall WhatsApp
If still the problem is not solved then you can uninstall WhatsApp and then again install it from App Store. But before you uninstall it make sure to create a backup of WhatsApp messages so that you can restore them after reinstalling it.
Now, simply delete WhatsApp by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > WhatsApp > Delete App. After this reinstall it from App Store.
Solution 11: Reset All Settings
If there is any setting-related glitch that is causing this issue then resetting it will help you fix WhatsApp call not ringing problem on iPhone.
To reset all settings on iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. Enter the passcode on your iPhone and hit on “Reset All Settings” on the prompt.
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Solution 12: Factory Reset Your iPhone
If still, WhatsApp calls is not ringing when your iPhone screen is locked then you can perform a factory reset.
As you know that this will wipe all your phone’s data, hence you are recommended to back up your iPhone before doing a factory reset.
To factory reset your iPhone, go to Settings > General. Then tap on Reset. After this, hit on “Erase all content and settings”.
Solution 13: Contact WhatsApp Support
If all the above-mentioned methods failed to solve the problem then you can contact WhatsApp Support. They have better of knowledge why this is happening and whether the issue is causing due to their end or on your iPhone.
To contact WhatsApp Support:
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp and then go to its Settings.
Step 2: Select Help and then hit Contact Us.
Step 3: After this, give a brief description of the issue that you are encountering like when it started occurring, which iPhone you are using and other important details.
Step 4: At last, hit on Next.
Bottom Line
WhatsApp is a very popular messaging app and it is the most used messaging app around the world. Its voice and video calling features are also great that most users use. But sometimes when the phone is locked users don’t receive calls on their phone.
If you are also going through this issue then simply try the above-mentioned solutions to fix WhatsApp call not ringing when iPhone is locked. I hope any of these methods can surely help you to solve the problem.
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Jasper Madison is a passionate technical writer with more than 9 years of experience. She has a keen interest in Android and iOS and everything surrounding it. She is a technology enthusiast and fascinated with technology since her childhood days.