Cases where WhatsApp audio does not load can be common even if this type of media is very light. Android phones from any manufacturer can issue the «audio download failed» alert, which occurs when the application does not download voice messages sent by a contact in the conversation, even though there is an internet connection.
The error has several possible causes, ranging from lack of memory space to errors in the microSD card installed in the device. Fortunately, most of the time, it is possible to get around the problem quickly. Learn, in this tutorial, how to identify and resolve the bug that occurs when WhatsApp audios do not open.
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Even if the cell phone apparently has active internet, check again for fluctuations in the connection. Public Wi-Fi networks are often more prone to failures due to the excess of connected devices, indicating an exclamation in the cell phone’s Wi-Fi when there is a defect. This instability can affect WhatsApp.
Turn your phone’s Wi-Fi off and on again, use another network, or call 3G or 4G to ensure the best performance. If you choose the data package, make sure there is adequate coverage in your area. Open a web page in the browser to test the connection. Audio messages are lightweight and do not require high transfer speed, but require minimally constant network signal.
Exclamation on Wi-Fi indicates signal failure – Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves
Once the connection problem is ruled out, check that the cell phone’s date and time are set correctly. Access Android settings and, preferably, activate automatic date and time to avoid errors. If this option is showing incorrect information, try restarting your phone to reconfigure network data. In the latter case, choose manual adjustment by selecting the appropriate time zone – GMT-3: 00 for Brasilia time.
Adjust date and time in Android settings – Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves
Memory card without space
On Android phones, it is common for WhatsApp to use a memory card to save media (photos, videos and audios). When this happens, the messenger is limited to the storage available on the microSD. When the space ends, the application presents errors, such as the difficulty of downloading voice messages.
Use a file manager app like Astro File Manager or Android’s native explorer to erase unnecessary data from the microSD card and free up more space for WhatsApp.
Free up space on your memory card – Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves
Corrupted WhatsApp folder
When WhatsApp uses a memory card to store media files, corrupted data can prevent new information from being recorded, affecting the download of audio. The solution does not affect text conversations, but removes all videos, photos and audios.
Step 1. To avoid losing chat content, perform a backup on Google Drive. Another option is to connect the phone to a computer using a USB cable and locate the WhatsApp folder on the memory card. Click on the item with the right mouse button and drag it to the PC creating a new copy.
Copy the WhatsApp folder to the computer – Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves
Step 2. Use your phone’s file explorer to browse the memory card. Locate the original WhatsApp folder and delete it.
Delete the WhatsApp folder on the memory card – Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves
Read-only microSD card
Another possible cause of error when downloading audio on WhatsApp is a problem that turns microSD files into read-only. In this case, the most effective solution is to completely format the card.
Access the Android storage settings, select the external memory and format. The process, it is worth remembering, removes all items stored on the memory card, including WhatsApp media. The cell phone’s internal data remains intact. If formatting does not occur, alternatives must be used.
Format the micro SD card of the Android phone – Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves
