Have you created or joined a WhatsApp group to communicate with others in one place, but it is not opening on your device?
If a WhatsApp group is not opening, the app or the device software might be glitching or outdated. To fix this, force-stop WhatsApp; otherwise, update the app or the phone to the latest version. If you cannot create and open a new group, delete some WhatsApp groups to be under the 50 groups per account limit or assign the admin role to someone else.
In this article, we’ll explain why WhatsApp group is not opening and discuss some proven troubleshooting solutions to set things right.
Why can’t I open my WhatsApp group?
If the WhatsApp group is not opening on your mobile phone or computer, one of the following might be the reason:
- Group limit is exceeded.
- Corrupt WhatsApp cache or system files.
- Outdated WhatsApp software.
- Outdated Windows firmware.
- Bugs in the WhatsApp code.
How do I open a WhatsApp group chat?
To fix the WhatsApp groups not opening on your device, here are the 7 best solutions we’ve gathered after extensive research.
Force Stop WhatsApp
The easiest solution to fix the issue with WhatsApp groups is to force-stop the app on your phone or computer. Doing so will remove any temporary bugs causing the app to glitch and restart the session with fresh data. Here’s how:
Android:
- Open “Settings.”
- Tap “Apps.”
- Tap “All Apps.”
- Choose “WhatsApp.”
- Tap “Force Stop.”
iPhone:
- Swipe up on your iPhone / iPad home screen and stop in the middle to access the most recent apps.
- Find “WhatsApp” by swiping right or left.
- Swipe up on the app preview to force close “WhatsApp.”
WhatsApp Desktop:
- Press “Win+X.”
- Click “Task Manager.”
- Right-click “WhatsApp.”
- Choose “End Task.”
Next, launch WhatsApp again and try opening a group to verify if this fixes the problem.
Check Total Number of Groups
You might have exceeded the WhatsApp group creation limit of 50 per account, so the app is not allowing you to open or create a new one.
To rectify this, delete some WhatsApp groups or make someone else their admin and see if you can open a new group now.
Clear WhatsApp Cache
WhatsApp stores temporary data on your phone to quickly fetch and display recent group information. However, if the cache gets corrupted, the app fails to process the data, resulting in the group chat not opening.
To fix this, clear WhatsApp cache data on your device this way:
Android:
- Open “Settings.”
- Go to “Apps.”
- Choose “All Apps.”
- Choose “WhatsApp.”
- Select “Storage.”
- Select “Clear Cache.”
- Tap “Clear Data.”
iPhone:
- Open “Settings.”
- Select “General.”
- Tap “iPhone Storage.”
- Choose “WhatsApp.”
- Tap “Offload App.”
- Tap “Offload App” again.
After that, open WhatsApp, tap a group to open it, and verify the fix.
Update WhatsApp
As WhatsApp continues to update and improve its features, an older version of the app might not be fully compatible with the latest server configurations or group functionalities.
This can lead to conflicts and errors, preventing the group from opening correctly on your phone or computer. To prevent this, update WhatsApp to the latest version with these easy steps:
Android:
- Open “Play Store.”
- Tap the Profile icon.
- Tap “Manage Apps and Devices.”
- Choose “Updates Available.”
- Tap “WhatsApp.”
- Tap “Update.”
iPhone:
- Open “App Store.”
- Tap your Profile icon.
- Head to “Available Updates.”
- Scroll to “WhatsApp.”
- Tap “Update.”
WhatsApp Desktop:
- Open “Microsoft Store.”
- Click “Library.”
- Click “Get Updates” and wait for the store to update all apps, including WhatsApp Desktop.
Next, launch WhatsApp on your device and try opening a group to confirm this solution.
Update Device Firmware
Another solution to resolve the problem is to update your device firmware to the latest version to fix any compatibility issues with WhatsApp. Here’s how:
Android:
- Open “Settings.”
- Tap “System Updates” or “Software Updates.”
- Tap “Download and Install.”
- Select “Install Now” for the new update.
iPhone:
- Open “Settings.”
- Tap “General.”
- Tap “Software Updates.”
- Select “Automatic Updates.”
- Toggle on “Download iOS Updates” and “Install iOS Updates” to let the device automatically update its firmware.
If you are using WhatsApp Desktop, update the operating system in the following way:
- Open “Settings.”
- Select “Update and Security.”
- Click “Check for Updates” and wait for Windows OS to search and install new updates.
- Restart your PC, open WhatsApp to access groups, and verify the fix.
Reinstall WhatsApp
It’s possible the WhatsApp corrupt installation files may be causing the groups not to open. In this case, reinstalling is the best way to stop WhatsApp from running in the background and open groups successfully. Do these steps:
Android:
- Touch & hold “WhatsApp.”
- Tap “Uninstall.”
- Select “OK.”
- Open “Play Store.”
- Search for “WhatsApp”
- Tap “Install.”
iPhone:
- Tap & hold “WhatsApp.”
- Select “Remove App.”
- Choose “Delete App” to remove WhatsApp from your phone.
- Tap “Delete.”
- Launch “App Store.”
- Find “WhatsApp.”
- Choose “GET.”
WhatsApp Desktop:
- Open “Settings.”
- Select “Apps.”
- Choose “WhatsApp” under “Apps & Features.”
- Click “Uninstall.”
- Choose “Uninstall” again.
- Open “Microsoft Store.”
- Search for “WhatsApp.”
- Click “Install.”
Once your install WhatsApp, recreate your account using your phone number and see if you can open groups this time.
NOTE: Ensure to back up your history before reinstalling WhatsApp. Otherwise, the app will remove you from all the groups, delete all your messages, and create a fresh account.
Use WhatsApp Web
If none of the above solutions work for you, a quick workaround here is to use WhatsApp through the web browser portal and try accessing the group. Here’s how:
- Open a browser.
- Open WhatsApp Web.
- Launch “WhatsApp” on phone.
- Tap the three dots on Android or tap “Settings” on iPhone.
- Tap “Linked Devices.”
- Select “Link A Device.”
- Use a Fingerprint, Face ID, or passcode to unlock.
- Now use your phone to scan the QR code on the PC screen to connect to your WhatsApp account; hopefully, groups will open.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve discussed why WhatsApp group is not opening on your phone or the WhatsApp Desktop app. We’ve also shared some tried and tested methods to help you sort out this problem in no time.
We’re sure that after trying these solutions, you can now join in the conversations on various WhatsApp groups and communicate with others without any hassle.