WhatsApp Desktop Not Opening Or Not Working In Windows 10

WhatsApp Desktop is the official desktop client for the popular WhatsApp app. The desktop version makes it possible to view, replay, and send messages right from your computer without accessing your smartphone where the WhatsApp app is installed. The desktop version does not support video or audio calling yet.

The WhatsApp Desktop has been around for a few years now. It has received several fixes and improvements over the years. Despite regular updates, at times, WhatsApp Desktop fails to open or does not work.

In this guide, we will see what you can do when WhatsApp Desktop does not open or does not work as expected.

Solution 1 of 4

Make sure that your smartphone & PC are connected to the internet

For the WhatsApp Desktop to work, both your smartphone and PC need to be connected to the internet. That is, you will receive messages and can use WhatsApp Desktop on your PC as long as your smartphone and PC are connected to the internet. Your PC will not receive new WhatsApp messages even if your smartphone is offline.

Generally, if you try to launch the WhatsApp Desktop when the smartphone is offline, you get “Make sure your phone has an active internet connection” error message on your PC.

That said, in some situations, WhatsApp Desktop might not show the error and simply refuse to start. So, if WhatsApp Desktop is not opening, make sure that your smartphone is connected to the internet, and you are able to receive messages on your smartphone.

Solutions 2 of 4

Sign out of WhatsApp Desktop and sign in again

Obviously, you can try out this solution only if the WhatsApp is opening. Use this option if WhatsApp refuses to sync messages, or other features are not working. To sign out and sign in again.

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp Desktop on your PC.

Step 2: Once the app is running, click on the three horizontal dots (refer to the picture below) and then click the Log out option to sign out of WhatsApp Desktop.

Step 3: Close WhatsApp Desktop. Start the WhatsApp Desktop again after a few minutes to see the following screen:

Step 4: On your smartphone, where WhatsApp is installed, tap Menu or Settings/gear icon, and then tap WhatsApp Web/Desktop.

Step 5: Tap the Scan QR Code option and scan the QR code showing up on your computer’s screen to sign in to WhatsApp Desktop. This should resolve the common issues, such as sync.

Solutions 3 of 4

Repair & Reset WhatsApp Desktop on Windows 10

If you have installed WhatsApp from the Store in Windows 10, you can reset the WhatsApp app when it’s not working. Here is how to do that.

Step 1: On your Windows 10 PC, navigate to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.

Step 2: Scroll down the installed apps list to see the WhatsApp Desktop entry. Click on it to see the Advanced Options link. Click on it.

NOTE: If the Advanced options link is missing, it’s because you are running the classic version of WhatsApp Desktop downloaded from the WhatsApp website and not from the Windows 10 Store.

Step 3: Click on the Repair button to repair the app. If the issue persists, click on the Reset button present on the same page to reset the app.

Solutions 4 of 4

Reinstall WhatsApp Desktop on Windows 10

Reinstalling WhatsApp Desktop is easy. Here is how to do just that.

Step 1: On Windows 10 PC, navigate to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.

Step 2: Click on the WhatsApp Desktop entry to see the Uninstall button.

Step 3: Click on the Uninstall button to remove WhatsApp Desktop from Windows 10.

Step 4: Once removed, visit this page of Windows 10 Store and install the WhatsApp Desktop app.

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