Can’t download files on WhatsApp Web on your Windows PC? If so, this guide is all that you need to resolve this issue.
How to download files on WhatsApp Web?
To download files on WhatsApp Web on a Windows PC, you can follow the below steps:
First, open WhatsApp Web in a web browser and make sure you are signed into your account. Now, open the chat from where you want to download the attached files.
Next, click on the media file that you want to download. Then, tap on the three-dot menu button and select the Download option to download the file. If you want to download a PDF or some other document file, you can simply click on the Download button present on the file to download it.
Now, some users have complained that they just can’t download any file attachments on WhatsApp in their web browser on Windows. Why does this issue occur, let us find out in this post.
Why can’t I download files from WhatsApp Web?
The reason why you can’t download files from WhatsApp Web may differ for individuals. It might be due to a temporary issue like an unstable internet connection or an ongoing server issue at the end of WhatsApp. Besides that, browser problems like bulked-up cache and cookies data, use of adblockers and problematic extensions, etc., can also cause the same problem. Incorrect date and time settings on your PC can be another reason for this issue.
In any scenario, you can fix the problem quickly using the fixes we have discussed below. So, check out.
Fix Whatsapp Web not downloading files
If you can’t download media, PDF, and other files on WhatsApp Web on a PC, here are the solutions you can use to fix this issue:
- Restart your web browser or computer.
- Make sure your internet is working fine.
- Check if WhatsApp servers are down.
- Log out, then log in again.
- Adjust your PC’s date and time.
- Disable adblockers, if applicable.
- Clear browser cache and cookies data.
- Try using the WhatsApp app from the Microsoft Store.
1] Restart your web browser or computer
There could be a temporary glitch or issue with your browser which is why you can’t download files on WhatsApp Web. Hence, before trying any other fix, restart your web browser and open WhatsApp to check if the problem is gone. If that doesn’t help, you can restart your computer and see if it helps.
2] Make sure your internet is working fine
If your internet connection is weak or unstable, or your internet is not working fine, you will experience difficulties in downloading files on WhatsApp. So, ensure that you are well connected to a reliable network connection. You can try switching to a different network connection or reboot your router/modem and see if it works.
TIP: Fix WiFi problems in Windows.
3] Check if WhatsApp servers are down
There are also chances that there is a server outage or a temporary server issue at the end of WhatsApp causing the problem. Hence, check the current server status of WhatsApp and make sure the servers are not down. If there is a server issue, wait for some time and then try downloading files.
4] Log out, then log in again
The next thing you can do is log out from WhatsApp Web and then log in to your account again to see if you can download files or not. Here’s how you can do that:
- First, open WhatsApp in your web browser.
- Now, click on the three-dot menu button from the top-left side.
- Next, select the Log out option and then press the Log out button in the confirmation prompt.
When you are logged out of WhatsApp, restart your web browser and log in to your WhatsApp account by scanning the QR code shown on your screen from your WhatsApp app on your phone.
Follow the instructions as mentioned on your screen. Once logged in, open the desired chat and check if you can download files or not.
Read: WhatsApp Web or Desktop not syncing.
5] Adjust your PC’s date and time
Your computer’s date and time should be configured correctly. Otherwise, it might cause synchronization issues between WhatsApp and your PC, and that might prevent you from downloading files. Hence, if the scenario applies, set up the correct date and time settings on your PC and check if it helps. Here’s how to do that:
- First, press Win+I to open the Windows Settings app.
- Now, move to the Time & language tab and click on Date & time.
- Next, switch on the toggle associated with the Set time automatically option.
- After that, enable the Set time zone automatically toggle.
- Once done, reopen WhatsApp Web and check if you can download files or not.
Read: WhatsApp not showing notifications on Windows.
6] Disable adblockers, if applicable
If you have enabled adblockers in your browser, it might cause this problem. Hence, you can disable adblockers and check if it works. Along with adblockers, you can try disabling suspicious extensions/add-ons that might be interfering with the working of your web browser.
Google Chrome:
- First, open Google Chrome and press the three-dot menu button.
- Next, choose the More tools > Extensions option.
- On the opened Extensions page, disable toggles associated with adblocker and any other problematic extensions.
- You can use the Remove button to permanently uninstall the extension.
- Now, check if you can download files on WhatsApp or not.
Microsoft Edge:
- First, open Edge and go to the edge://extensions address.
- Next, turn off the adblocker by switching off the associated toggle.
Read: WhatsApp could not find a connected audio device; Mic unavailable.
7] Clear browser cache and cookies data
If the problem remains the same, you can try clearing the browser cache and cookies to fix the issue. Corrupted cached files and cookies data are known to act notorious in web browsers and it might cause various performance issues. Hence, you can delete the browser cache and cookies and check if it helps. Here’s how:
Google Chrome:
- First, go to Google Chrome browser and click on the three-dot menu option.
- Next, choose the More tools > Clear browsing data option, or hit Ctrl + Shift + Del hotkey alternatively.
- Now, set the Time range to All time and tick the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files checkboxes.
- After that, press the Clear data button and let Chrome clear the browsing data.
- Once done, restart Chrome and open WhatsApp Web to check if the problem is resolved.
Microsoft Edge:
- First, open Edge and tap on the Settings and more > Settings option.
- Now, go to the Privacy, search, and services tab from the left-side pane and scroll to the Clear browsing data section.
- After that, click on the Choose what to clear button.
- Next, select All time as the Time range and checkmark the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files options.
- Then, press the Clear now button and restart Edge to see if the problem is fixed.
See: WhatsApp voice message not working on Android, iPhone or PC.
8] Try using the WhatsApp app from the Microsoft Store
If the problem is still the same, you can try using the WhatsApp app from the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC. Check if you can download files on the WhatsApp UWP app or not.
In case you still can’t download files on WhatsApp, you can update your web browser and see if the problem is resolved. Or, simply download the attachments on your phone and then transfer them to your PC.
I hope this post helps you download files on WhatsApp Web on Windows.
Now read: WhatsApp Desktop app crashing or freezing on Windows PC.
