How to Fix Voice Message Not Working on WhatsApp: 6 Best Solutions

Issues in sending WhatsApp voice messages can disrupt communication for users. Sometimes, the message doesn’t record, fails to send, or won’t play at all. There are multiple situations where this issue can occur, each with its own cause. Hence, if you want to overcome this issue, fixing it requires understanding why it happens and how to apply the right solution.

For that, this article will explore all the possible reasons behind the “voice message not working on WhatsApp” issue and provide 6 of the best fixes to resolve them. From simple troubleshooting steps to app setting adjustments, you’ll find practical solutions to get your voice messages working smoothly again. Additionally, we’ll share useful tips for sending voice messages to ensure a seamless messaging experience.

Part 1. 5 Situations of Voice Message Not Working on WhatsApp

You must be aware of the situations where WhatsApp voice messages may stop working before learning about the fixes. Exploring the scenarios mentioned below will help you identify the cause and apply the best solution:

Situations for Voice Messages Not Working

1. Can’t Record Voice Messages: Suppose you press the microphone button, but nothing records, or the recording stops unexpectedly. Somehow, if it’s recorded, the audio may be completely silent, making it impossible to send a voice message.
2. WhatsApp Voice Messages Not Sending: After recording, the message gets stuck on sending or just fails to deliver. During that, you might see an error message or the message might disappear before being sent.
3. Can’t Hear Voice Messages: After facing the audio text delivering issue, sometimes, the voice message doesn’t play properly when you receive it. There might be no sound on WhatsApp voice messages, or they may keep buffering or stop midway.
4. Low Audio in Voice Messages: When received, the sound is too low or unclear when the voice note plays. Due to this reason, the recipient is unable to hear the message properly.
5. Voice Messages Cut Off: In some situations, the voice recording stops abruptly before you finish speaking. Due to this, you are unable to send long or complete voice messages.

Reasons for Voice Message Not Working

After looking at the situations for voice messages not working, go through the following section to learn about the reasons behind this issue:

1. Can’t Record Voice Messages: There may be a situation where you press the microphone button but can’t record. It could be due to denied microphone permission or another app using the mic in the background.
2. WhatsApp Voice Messages Not Sending: When a recorded message fails to send, it’s often due to a weak internet connection or insufficient storage. Moreover, an outdated WhatsApp version may block messages from being delivered.
3. Can’t Hear Voice Messages: In situations when you wonder, “Why my WhatsApp audio is not working?” the issue could be due to low phone volume or a connected Bluetooth device redirecting the audio. Also, the proximity sensor may mistakenly disable playback when the phone is near your ear.
4. Low Audio in Voice Messages: A low-volume voice message happens due to a dirty or defective microphone or a blocked mic. Moreover, network problems and using a phone case that covers the microphone can also affect sound quality.
5. Voice Messages Cut Off: This issue can occur due to accidental screen touches or app crashes. Besides that, it can occur due to low storage or app glitches.

Part 2. 6 Fixes for Voice Note Not Working on WhatsApp

Now that we’re aware of the reasons behind the “WhatsApp voice note not working” issue, let’s learn about solutions. This section explores six effective fixes to help you resolve the problem.

Fix 1. Check Network Connection

You must be connected to a stable Wi-Fi or cellular network to record and send voice messages. When your voice messages aren’t sent, switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa. Sometimes, weak or unstable internet can prevent messages from being sent. In addition, restart your phone to help refresh the network connection. In case the issue still continues, check your mobile provider to ensure there are no network outages.

Fix 2. Update WhatsApp

As previously mentioned, an outdated app version may lead to “voice note not working on WhatsApp” problems because of bugs or compatibility issues. Updates typically encompass bug fixes and enhancements that address issues with voice messages. Ensure the app is updated to the most recent version to avoid technical problems disrupting voice messaging. Refer to the instructions below to upgrade WhatsApp on both iOS and Android devices:

For iOS

Instructions: Once you open the App Store on your device, tap on the “Profile” icon to open the account settings. On the next screen, press the “Update” button next to the app to install its latest version.

For Android

Step 1 Open “Play Store” and tap on the “Profile” icon to proceed to see a menu. Here, select “Manage apps & device” and tap “See details” to get a list of the apps that have updates.

Step 2 In the following screen, find WhatsApp and tap the “Update” button beside it to download the recent version.

Fix 3. Verify Phone’s Proximity Sensor

Another way to overcome the WhatsApp voice message speaker problem is by checking the proximity sensor. This app plays audio through the earpiece when the phone is near your ear, but screen protectors or cases can interfere with this function. Remove such elements and in case the issue persists, clean the sensor area, as dust or dirt buildup can also block its functionality.

Fix 4. Review the Microphone Permissions

Messaging platforms require microphone access to record and send voice messages. You may face issues with recording voice notes in case the permissions are denied or restricted. Ensure that the app has the necessary microphone permissions to help solve problems with WhatsApp voice messages not working. Follow the provided walkthrough guide to learn how to enable microphone permissions in the app:

For iOS

Instructions: Once you open the App Store on your device, tap on the “Profile” icon to open the account settings. On the next screen, press the “Update” button next to the app to install its latest version.

For Android

Step 1 After you access the “Settings” on your phone, go to the “Apps” section. After that, tap on “WhatsApp” and choose the “Permissions” option.

Step 2 Now, choose “Microphone” and select the “Allow only while using the app” option to give the app access to your mic.

Fix 5. Inspect Bluetooth Pairing

Voice messages might be playing through a connected Bluetooth device instead of your phone’s speaker. In situations when you’re unable to hear voice messages, check your Bluetooth settings and disable Bluetooth connectivity.

Doing so will ensure the audio plays through your speaker’s phone instead. Follow these instructions to prevent the WhatsApp voice message not working on Android and iOS issues by disabling Bluetooth:

For iOS

Instructions: Start the task by going to the phone “Settings” and tapping on the “Bluetooth” option. In the next screen, turn off the “Bluetooth” toggle to disable any paired devices.

For Android

Instructions: Get access to the “Settings” app and tap on the “Connections” option on the main screen. After that, switch off the “Bluetooth” toggle and tap “Turn off” to make sure your voice notes play through the phone’s speaker.

Fix 6. Free Up Storage Space

The “WhatsApp voice notes not working” problem can be resolved by ensuring your device has enough storage. When your phone’s storage is full, the app may struggle to record, send, or receive voice notes. In this case, you must clear unnecessary files and delete old media to manage app storage and restore proper functionality. To check your available storage and manage space, refer to the given guide:

For iOS

Step 1 Launch the app on your device and access its “Settings” to choose the “Storage and data” option and tap “Manage storage.” After that, navigate to the Chats section and open the chat you want to delete files from.

Step 2 Now, press the “Select” button and choose the files you want to delete. After you select the files, tap the “Trash” icon to get rid of unnecessary files.

For Android

Step 1 Get access to the app “Settings” from the menu under the “Three Dots” icon on the top-right corner. Next, tap “Storage and data” and choose the “Manage storage” option from the next screen.

Step 2 In the Manage Storage screen, choose your desired chat from where you want to free storage and select the unwanted files. Once you do that, press the “Trash” icon to remove the files from the device for free storage.

Part 3. Tips for Sending Voice Messages on WhatsApp

Follow the tips given below to prevent voice notes not working on WhatsApp issues on this messaging platform:

1. Clear Voice: Avoid background noise and speak directly into the microphone to ensure your message is clear. A steady voice helps the recipient hear you properly without distortion.
2. Hold the Microphone Properly: Before sending a message, put your phone’s mic close to your mouth but not too close. Always keep an appropriate distance to capture the voice clearly without unnecessary background interference.
3. Check Internet Connection: A weak internet connection can cause delays in the voice-sending process. Make sure you have a secure Wi-Fi connection or enough mobile data to avoid such issues.
4. Create a Backup of Voice Notes:

Apart from these tips above, an even better option is to create a backup of your voice notes. This can be done through backup third-party tools like iToolab WatsGo to ensure they are restored if lost or damaged. WatsGo is a third-party tool that allows users to transfer their WhatsApp data at a three times faster speed as compared to other tools.

You can now begin saving your WhatsApp voice messages with the help of the backup guide of WatsGo discussed below:

Step 1 Access the WatsGo Tool and Start the Procedure

Initiate the process by getting access to the WatsGo tool on your desktop device and navigating to its main interface. Next, click on the “WhatsApp Backup” option under the “WhatsApp” section.

Step 2 Connect Your Device to Back up the Voice Messages

Now, get a USB cable and connect your preferred mobile device to the desktop. Upon doing so, select your device from the drop-down list of the “Please select the device you need to back up” section. Then, press the “Backup” button to move to the next step.

Step 3 Activate the Encryption Code on Your Android

In the guide below, follow the instructions to enable the end-to-end encryption code for WhatsApp backup. Before you move to the next step, you need to make sure that you copy the 64-bit password to use it in the next step.

Step 4 Enter the 64-bit Password to Begin the Transfer

Finally, a verification screen pops up where you need to enter the 64-bit password to finish off the backup procedure. Once done, hit the “Verify” button to let WatsGo finish the transfer process of your WhatsApp voice messages. However, you don’t have to perform these encryption and verification instructions if you’re an iPhone user.

Conclusion

In short, users often face WhatsApp voice notes not working issues due to various reasons. This article explored the different situations where voice messages may fail, along with their possible reasons. We also discussed 6 reliable solutions to resolve these issues efficiently.

Additionally, we learned that backing up your voice messages with a tool like iToolab WatsGo ensures you never lose important data. For a secure and seamless WhatsApp backup solution, we highly recommend WatsGo.

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