How to Fix WhatsApp Link Preview Not Showing Issue
If you’re having trouble with WhatsApp link previews not displaying on your mobile device or computer, this article is for you. We will guide you through some straightforward solutions to resolve this problem.
A link preview is a brief snapshot that appears when you share a URL in a WhatsApp conversation. It typically includes the title, description, and occasionally an image related to the link, providing a user-friendly overview of the content. However, there are instances when you might notice that WhatsApp link previews are failing to generate or display correctly, which can be quite frustrating for users.
Why is my WhatsApp not generating link previews?
There are several factors that may contribute to WhatsApp not displaying link previews. These include privacy configurations, corrupted cache on your device, unstable or slow internet connections, or glitches stemming from outdated app versions. Moreover, certain websites may lack the necessary metadata for WhatsApp to create link previews, resulting in links appearing simply as plain URLs.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Link Preview issues
If you are facing issues with WhatsApp link previews not appearing on your PC or smartphone, consider the following recommendations:
- Disable ‘Disable link previews’
- Assess your internet connection speed
- Clear the WhatsApp cache
Let’s delve into each suggestion.
1] Disable ‘Disable link previews’
The setting to ‘Disable link previews’ hinders WhatsApp from generating previews for shared URLs, which can enhance privacy by not retrieving data from other websites. By default, this option is off, but if link previews aren’t showing, check if it has been unintentionally enabled. If that’s the case, turning it off should restore the previews.
- Windows: Launch the WhatsApp Web app in your browser. Click on the Settings icon at the bottom-left. Navigate to Privacy, scroll down, and find ‘Disable link previews‘ in the Advanced section. Ensure this option is unchecked.
- Android/iPhone: Tap the three dots icon (for Android) or the Settings tab (for iPhone). Proceed to Settings > Privacy > Advanced and confirm that the ‘Disable link previews‘ setting is turned off.
2] Assess your internet connection speed
An unreliable or slow internet connection can inhibit WhatsApp’s ability to generate link previews. Verify that your connection speed is stable.
- Windows: Check your connection speed and switch to a faster network if needed.
- Android/iPhone: Ensure that you’re connected to a reliable Wi-Fi or cellular network, and consider toggling between them if necessary. Use speed testing apps to confirm your connection efficacy.
3] Clear WhatsApp cache
Cached data can occasionally interfere with link previews. Clearing the cache might resolve the issue.
- Windows: You can effectively clear the WhatsApp cache using CCleaner. Alternatively, log out of the WhatsApp Desktop app and delete its cache files from the data folder, or uninstall/reinstall the app (remember to back up your chats). Clearing the cache and cookies from your browser will also affect WhatsApp Web.
- Android: Navigate to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage. Tap on Clear cache located at the bottom right.
- iPhone: iPhones don’t offer a direct cache-clearing option. You must uninstall and reinstall the WhatsApp application to clear the cache, ensuring you back up your chats beforehand.
We hope these tips assist you!
How can I disable the Link Preview on WhatsApp?
Open WhatsApp on your device. Tap the three dots icon located at the top right corner (Android) or the Settings tab at the bottom right (iPhone). Go to Settings > Privacy > Advanced, then toggle on the switch next to ‘Disable link previews‘. This action will stop WhatsApp from generating link previews for any URLs shared in chats. If you want to remove the link preview for a specific message while sending a link, simply tap the ‘x‘ icon adjacent to the preview.
Image credits: Thewindowsclub.com
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