Ethan Brooks
How To Resolve the “Couldn’t Place Call, Try Again” Error in WhatsApp on Android
So, if you’re getting the classic “Couldn’t Place Call, Try Again” message on WhatsApp while trying to make a call, it’s beyond annoying. Sometimes it’s just a weird glitch, sometimes it’s network stuff, and occasionally, it’s the app itself messing up. Tried standard fixes and still no luck? Here’s a few tricks that actually worked on some setups, might do the same for you.
Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection
This one’s obvious but still worth mentioning. WhatsApp calls rely heavily on a steady internet connection. Usually, a weak signal or flaky Wi-Fi is the culprit:
- Swipe down from the top to open the quick menu and toggle Airplane Mode. Wait about 10 seconds, then turn it off. This resets your network connections — weirdly helpful sometimes.
- If you’re on Wi-Fi, double-check your router. Restart it if needed, because of course, Wi-Fi sometimes just decides to crap out without reason.
- If mobile data is your fallback, make sure it’s enabled and you’re not hitting any data limits or restrictions.
Basically, your internet needs to be rock-solid here. If in doubt, try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa — sometimes switching network types clears things up.
Step 2: Force Stop WhatsApp
Happens a lot that the app just hangs in a weird state. Force-stopping can wipe the slate clean:
- Touch and hold the WhatsApp icon, then tap on App Info or the ‘i’ icon.
- Scroll down and hit Force Stop. Confirm if prompted.
- Once it’s fully closed, reopen WhatsApp and try calling again.
This sometimes clears temporary glitches. Yeah, it’s simple but surprisingly effective. On some phones it takes a couple of tries, but worth a shot.
Step 3: Tweak Data Usage Settings
In some cases, WhatsApp’s data settings block calls, especially if you’ve got data saver turned on:
- Open WhatsApp, tap the three dots (top right), then go to Settings.
- Navigate to Storage and Data.
- Look for the Use Less Data for Calls toggle and disable it.
This stops WhatsApp from limiting your internet during call attempts. On one phone, I found this setting was enabled without realizing, and disabling it made the calls work again. Not sure why it still auto-enables sometimes, but apparently, saves data at your call expense.
Step 4: Clear Cache & Permissions
Corrupted cache files can mess up calling — go deeper:
- Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > WhatsApp.
- Select Storage & Cache and tap Clear Cache. Don’t delete data unless you know what you’re doing — backup chats first, just in case.
- Next, tap on Permissions and toggle on all necessary permissions, especially microphone and phone access.
Sometimes, just resetting permissions or clearing the cache helps a lot. On some devices, I’ve had to do this a couple of times to get calls going again. Restart afterward — always a good idea.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If the above don’t do the trick, consider reinstalling WhatsApp, but back up your chats first — because, of course, you don’t want to lose your chats. Also, keep your app updated from the Play Store; older versions can have bugs that break calling features. And don’t forget to check with your carrier if they’ve implemented any restrictions or if Wi-Fi calling conflicts with WhatsApp.
Conclusion
So yeah, fixing this glitch usually boils down to resetting network, app, or permissions. No magic button here, but these steps tend to cover most bases. Insist on a stable internet connection, keep the app updated, and tweak a few settings. Don’t be surprised if it takes a couple of tries — Android and WhatsApp are sometimes less than perfectly coordinated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if the issue persists after following these steps?
If nothing changes, try uninstalling WhatsApp completely — backup chats first — then reinstall fresh from the Play Store. Also, look for any ongoing outages or server issues.
Can I make calls on WhatsApp using mobile data?
Yep, but only if your mobile data connection is stable and WhatsApp has permission to use data. Sometimes network restrictions from your provider can cause this too.
How can I contact WhatsApp support for further assistance?
You can go to Settings > Help > Contact Us within the app. Or check their support page online for more options.
Summary
- Make sure your internet connection is solid and switch networks if needed.
- Force-stop the app to clear temporary bugs.
- Disable any data saver or limited data options for WhatsApp.
- Clear app cache and verify permissions.
- Reinstall if all else fails, but back up first.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Good luck fixing those calls!