I changed Background Permissions to "Always" and it's working for me now.
WhatsApp not starting or working on Windows 10/11
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Aqeel Peerzade
35
Reputation points
How to Fix WhatsApp Not Starting on Windows 10/11
If WhatsApp isn't starting on your Windows PC, follow these steps to fix the issue:
- Open Settings Press Windows + I to open the Settings window.
- Open Optional Features In the Settings search bar (at the top), type "Optional Features" and select it.
- Install Media Feature Pack
- Click on "Add a feature".
- In the search box, type "Media Feature Pack".
- Select "Media Feature Pack" from the list and click Install.
- Reinstall WhatsApp
- Open the Microsoft Store.
- Search for WhatsApp and reinstall it.
Restart Your PC After installation is complete, restart your computer to apply all changes.
Windows for home | Windows 10 | Microsoft Store
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Judie F-H 30 Reputation points2025-12-12T20:49:39.2366667+00:00 i loaded whats app to my new lenova with windows 11. it is not functioning and i am unable to uninstall it. it keeps going around and around. i have checked for help and there is NO setting for media feature in the setting options. please help. thanks
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Dick Polley 0 Reputation points2025-12-17T11:38:41.29+00:00 You only need to add Media Feature Pack to the N version of Windows 10, not the Home edition.
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Isambard Brunel 0 Reputation points2025-12-23T01:03:33.66+00:00 -
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F Z 5 Reputation points2025-12-29T05:02:15.6833333+00:00 I HAVE A PROBLEM I'M OPENING THE WHATSAPP BUT NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NOT LAUNCH BUT I INSTALLA AGAIN AND AGAIN MANY TIME'S BUT NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE I WAS TERMINATE RESET AND REPAIR OPTION'S TRY BUT NOT RESPONDING THE APP NOT WORK PROPERLY
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Isambard Brunel 0 Reputation points
2025-12-29T10:21:57.4633333+00:00 STILL NO SOLUTION FOR THIS....!!!!!!
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Kastriot Gjuraj 5 Reputation points2026-01-03T18:57:58.0833333+00:00 5 days with no chance... until I found some missing components:
1-MicrosoftEdgeWebView2Runtime
2-DotNetFx
Try it!
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Stefano 15 Reputation points2026-01-03T19:13:13.61+00:00 Same problem for me on Windows 11 (version 23H2 - OS build 22631.6199).
I tried clearing app data, reset the app nothing worked. I had to uninstall it and reinstall it.
Then it worked, only up to the next Windows reboot! Now it is there again not opening, the loading bar stuck at 0%.
Please fix this, it is very frustrating! -
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Darren 10 Reputation points2026-01-17T19:16:46.7433333+00:00 This solution worked for me on Windows 11.
Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Go to Apps → Installed apps (or Apps & features in some views).
- Search for or find WhatsApp, click the three dots (...) next to it, and select Advanced options.
- Scroll down and click Terminate (this force-stops any running WhatsApp processes).
- Then scroll to the Repair section and click Repair (this fixes corrupted files while keeping your login/chats intact).
- Once done, right-click the WhatsApp shortcut/start menu entry and choose Run as administrator to launch it.
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Urfe 5 Reputation points2026-01-19T01:21:41.5066667+00:00 Same with me, nothing has worked with the app... However, even though they ask you to download their app for PCs, you are still able to use Whatsapp web in Chrome. This has been stable for me for a few days now
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Tarah Norton 15 Reputation points2026-01-27T18:05:21.3633333+00:00 I have uninstalled and reinstalled on my windows 11. I also cleared but the app refuses to open. what is the cause of this?I never had this issue until the update in December!
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Kelly 0 Reputation points2026-02-07T21:27:47.0733333+00:00 Edition Windows 11 Pro
Version 25H2
Installed on 8/14/2025
OS build 26200.7623
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.275.0
I updated to this version, now my whatsapp no longer load just a black box, and i dont have any option to load "Media Feature Pack". I know it says install date of 08/14/2025 and until my Win 11 updates yesterday everything was working fine ... I have tried all helpful thoughts from this page and the internet search as well with no fix happening. Please Help and thank you
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Daniel Dulgheriu 10 Reputation points2026-02-21T17:53:34.95+00:00 I follow all your steps.and its not working at all.After "Add a feature" its no searching bar.no "Media Feature Pack,no nothing and WhatsApp still refuse to open.It is there but doesn't open!
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Sean St. John 5 Reputation points2026-03-11T11:41:17.7566667+00:00 Windows update today broke Whatsapp. Full re-install didn't help. Says loading chats but never finishes, just keeps resetting and asking me to log in again. This is a recurring issue that I've dealt with multiple times over the years. This software is absolute crap.
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Richard Hofman 10 Reputation points2026-04-03T14:09:52.39+00:00 It used to work, but suddenly it stopped working on my Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview
Verze 25H2
Datum instalace 21.03.2026
Build operačního systému 26300.8142
Windows 1000.26100.345.0
Please, it's a system error in Windows OS which I can't fix in any way.
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Richard Hofman 10 Reputation points
2026-04-03T14:12:27.66+00:00 This is exactly what happened to me as well. Just WhatsApp web is working perfectly, but the app is not working anymore...
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Priyam Tanna 0 Reputation points2026-05-13T17:41:50.29+00:00 there is no such option available in my laptop and i i go in view features then it shows already installed features and option to remove them and not add then and if i go in more windows features the media pack feature shows already installed ... i re installed it but still there is no change in whatsapp app behavior
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3 answers
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Urfe 5 Reputation points
2026-01-11T00:38:44.0866667+00:00 -
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Richard Hofman 10 Reputation points
2026-04-03T14:41:14.7766667+00:00 Sadly, this way didn't work as well...
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Adil Saleem 0 Reputation points2026-06-05T09:51:23.56+00:00 None of the solutions work for me on Windows11 Home Edition. Ive been trying to fix this for 3 days now without success. I have a MacBook from 2011 that works better than the garbage Windows 11.
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Diana Mariz 8,880 Reputation points Independent Advisor2025-08-03T06:08:05.1933333+00:00 Hi,
Thank you for sharing this information.
Just a heads up as well that if the troubleshooting above is not working, we can isolate the issue by checking on another Windows user profile is to see if the issue is with the Windows profile itself.
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Aqeel Peerzade 35 Reputation points
2025-08-03T06:15:12.59+00:00 Hi,
Thank you for your suggestion!
I actually tried the solution I mentioned earlier (installing the Media Feature Pack and reinstalling WhatsApp), and it worked for me as well as for others who encountered the same issue.
I really appreciate your input, and I’ll keep it in mind for future troubleshooting.
Thanks again for your help!
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