Messaging service WhatsApp is down for thousands of Brits as issues with the app have flooded in. Dozens took to social media platforms like Twitter to say the popular messaging service was down, with users left knocking their WiFi on and off in the hopes of fixing the connectivity issues.
But it appears WhatsApp is the problem, as a spike of complaints were logged on DownDetector to signal the sudden inactivity with the service. The messaging service is believed to have crashed earlier this afternoon with thousands unable to send or receive messages on the Meta-owned app. Comments on Downdetector show just how wide spread the WhatsApp outage issues.
People from Brazil, the US, Peru, Italy, the UK and Costa Rica – to name just a few – have reported problems.
(Image: Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)
Some 83% of the reported issues in the UK relate to users’ experience of the WhatsApp Website, according to Downdetector. And 81% of reported WhatsApp issues across the world similarly relate to the website.
Reports of issues began appearing on Downdetector just before 2pm UK time, with hundreds of reports logged by around 2.44pm.
Mst Tomi wrote: “WhatsApp web is not working – no chats shwoing up.” ShazzaUK said: “WhatsApp is working on my phone, but showing zero re chats and status etc on my PC.” Ray Tsang added: “WhatsApp web sucks with many strange bugs, which have never been fixed.”
(Image: Omar Marques/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)
“Umm…that is strange. Is Whatsapp web down for everyone?,” asked Mohak on X who shared a screem shot of a blank screen bar an advertisement for WhatsApp’s bespoke Business platform.
Another said: “Can’t see any of my chats or channel updates,” while one added: “What the hell … I get told to update the web app, update it and now it’s completely broken and can’t see any of my messages, etc. anymore and it’s become completely unusable.”
As of May 2025, WhatsApp had 3 billion monthly active users, making it the most used messenger app in the world. Sometimes, the issue can be resolved by restarting or updating the application, clearing the browser cache for WhatsApp Web or by using a different browser.
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