Having trouble with WhatsApp not showing link previews? It’s frustrating when you paste a link into a chat and don’t see that helpful preview with an image and description. It’s more than an inconvenience—it could even be risky. Without the preview, you might have to click unknown links, which could lead to malicious sites. Thankfully, there are a few ways to solve this problem. Let’s walk through them step by step.
Table of Contents
Solution 1: Try to clear WhatsApp’s cache
Over time, apps store a lot of temporary data (cache). This can slow down WhatsApp and cause issues like missing link previews. Clearing the cache can often fix it.
- Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp.
- Tap on Storage and Cache > Delete Cache.
- Check if the problem is solved.
Solution 2: Force stopping the app
Sometimes, simply forcing the app to stop and restart can refresh its processes.
- Head back to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp.
- Tap Force Stop and confirm with OK.
- Relaunch WhatsApp and see if link previews are working.
Solution 3: Join WhatsApp Beta
Beta versions get the latest updates, security fixes, and features before everyone else. It might fix the bug, though beta builds are a bit less stable.
- Download the WhatsApp Beta APK from WhatsApp’s official site.
- Install it and update your app.
- Check if the link preview works now.
Solution 4: Roll Back to an Older Version
Now, if the issue persists, it might be time to take a step back and downgrade WhatsApp to an older, more stable version.
- Uninstall WhatsApp (don’t forget to backup your data first!).
- Download an older WhatsApp version APK.
- Install it and check if link previews are back in action.
Solution 5: Delete Data and Reinstall
As a last resort, you can try deleting WhatsApp’s data entirely. This will wipe all data from WhatsApp, so be sure to back it up first.
- Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage and Cache.
- Tap Delete Data.
- Set up WhatsApp from scratch and enjoy working link previews.
I know it’s not an ideal situation, but trust me, one of these solutions should do the trick. WhatsApp’s developers are awesome and they’re definitely working on a permanent fix. In the meantime, these workarounds will keep you connected and sharing those amazing links with your friends and family.