Have you ever tried calling someone on WhatsApp, only to see “ringing” on your end while their phone just says “connecting”? That’s exactly what happened to me with one contact, and it was frustrating! Neither of us could call the other—her phone didn’t ring properly, and even when she answered, it stayed stuck on “connecting.” After trying several fixes, the issue magically resolved itself after 24 hours. Here’s my story and tips to help you fix this annoying problem.
What I Experienced
- The Problem: When I called my friend, my WhatsApp showed “ringing,” but her screen only showed “connecting.” When she called me, my phone didn’t ring consistently, and answering led to the same “connecting” loop.
- What I Tried: Reinstalling WhatsApp, switching to WhatsApp Business, and removing/re-adding her contact didn’t work. Messages sent fine, so it wasn’t a block or internet issue.
- The Fix: After waiting 24 hours, the issue resolved itself, likely due to a temporary WhatsApp server glitch affecting our specific connection.
Why This Happens
This issue often stems from:
- Network Mismatches: One person on Wi-Fi, the other on mobile data, or a weak connection.
- Server Glitches: WhatsApp’s servers may fail to sync calls between specific numbers.
- Device Settings: Call restrictions, outdated apps, or old OS versions can interfere.
- Contact Sync Issues: Incorrectly saved numbers or syncing bugs.
How to Fix It
If you’re facing this, try these steps (test calling after each):
- Check Networks: Both of you switch to strong Wi-Fi and disable VPNs. Send a voice note to confirm connectivity.
- Re-Sync Contact: Delete and re-add the contact with the full country code (e.g., +1 for US). Restart WhatsApp after.
- Update WhatsApp/OS: Ensure both phones have the latest WhatsApp version and OS (Android 5.0+ or iOS 12+).
- Disable Call Restrictions:
- iPhone: Turn off Focus/Do Not Disturb and Silence Unknown Callers (Settings > Phone).
- Android: Allow WhatsApp notifications and background activity (Settings > Apps > WhatsApp).
- Toggle Call Settings: In WhatsApp, go to Settings > Storage and Data > turn off “Use less data for calls” and “Protect IP address in calls.”
- Wait It Out: Like my case, server-side issues often resolve in 24 hours. Try again the next day.
- Use Another App: If urgent, use Telegram or Google Meet as a workaround.
If none work, contact WhatsApp support (Settings > Help > Contact us) with your device details.