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WhatsApp Desktop is the official desktop client of the popular WhatsApp application. The desktop version allows you to view, read and send messages directly from your computer without accessing the smartphone on which WhatsApp is installed. The desktop version does not yet support video or audio calls.
WhatsApp desktop has been around for several years. Over the years, it has received several fixes and improvements. Despite regular updates, sometimes WhatsApp Desktop won’t open or work.
In this guide, we’ll look at what you can do if WhatsApp Desktop doesn’t open or doesn’t work as expected.
Table of Contents:
Why WhatsApp Desktop doesn’t open or work on Windows 10
If WhatsApp Web doesn’t work, it’s probably because some features of WhatsApp Web don’t work on your computer. It’s easy to use, but you need access to your phone.
One reason WhatsApp Web doesn’t work on your computer is that your firewall or network settings won’t allow the WhatsApp page to load.
Here’s how to fix the WhatsApp desktop app that won’t open or work on Windows 10
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Updated: April 2025
Run the app as an administrator
Some apps require administrator privileges to work correctly. You can run WhatsApp as an administrator by right-clicking on the app and selecting Run as administrator.
If running the app as an administrator solves the problem, you will have to do this every time you want to run WhatsApp on your computer.
It can be a little tricky, but you can set WhatsApp to automatically launch as an administrator.
To do this, follow the steps below:
- Right-click the WhatsApp shortcut on your desktop and select Properties.
- Click the Compatibility tab and make sure that the option Run this program as an administrator is checked.
- Click Apply and OK to save your changes.
- After that, you can run WhatsApp as usual and it will always run as an administrator.
Disable your antivirus program
Oftentimes your antivirus tool can interfere with the installation process and cause WhatsApp to crash. If this happens, you should temporarily disable your antivirus utility and try to install the app again.
Reinstalling the app
Some users have reported that WhatsApp does not work correctly on Windows 10 PCs. If you encounter the same problem, you should consider reinstalling the app.
After reinstalling WhatsApp, check to see if the problem remains.
Some users also recommend deleting all data related to WhatsApp when reinstalling to avoid possible conflicts, which you can do.
Check whether WhatsApp is allowed to run in the background.
Users report not receiving WhatsApp notifications on their phones or not receiving messages. This can be a big problem, as you can’t receive calls or messages if WhatsApp isn’t enabled on your phone.
Users suspect that this problem is caused by battery charging mode, and to solve it, you need to open battery charging mode and check if WhatsApp is enabled in the background apps section.
If WhatsApp is not available, make sure it is turned on. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Go to Settings -> System -> Battery Saving.
- Tap Change battery saver settings.
- A list of all apps will appear. Find WhatsApp in the list and make sure the option is enabled.
- Once WhatsApp is running in the background, you will be able to receive SMS, calls, and other notifications without any problems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix the situation when WhatsApp doesn’t open on my desktop?
- Make sure WhatsApp is working on your phone.
- Activate the WhatsApp web session.
- Use incognito mode in your browser.
- Delete cookies in your browser
- Allow WhatsApp to bypass network settings.
- Turn off the VPN service on your computer.
- Use an internet search engine on your computer.
How do I fix Windows 10 apps that won’t open?
- Update the app from the Windows Store.
- Re-register the application.
- Reset the Windows Store cache.
- Reset a specific app.
- Run the troubleshooter.
- Reboot.
- Try a different user account.
- Perform a system restore.
Why won’t WhatsApp open?
Reboot your phone by turning it off and on again. Update WhatsApp to the latest version available in the Google Play Store. Open your phone settings -> tap Network and Internet -> turn airplane mode on and off. Open your phone settings -> tap Network and Internet -> Data usage -> turn on mobile data.
Why won’t WhatsApp open on my computer?
Launch the Settings app by pressing Windows + I, then go to Applications -> Apps and Features. There, find WhatsApp, select it, and click Advanced Settings. Scroll down, tap Reset or Restore, and follow all the instructions.