WhatsApp’s dark mode feature is a must for those late-night chats or when you just don’t want that glaring white screen in your face. But, like any other software, this dark mode feature also fails to function at certain times. Well, no need to sweat, whether your WhatsApp is stubbornly staying bright or just won’t switch over to dark mode, we’ve got your back. Read this article to learn how to fix WhatsApp dark Mode not working and restore your preferred viewing quickly.
How to Fix WhatsApp Dark Mode Not Working
Outdated software versions, unsupported devices, or glitches in the app can all be culprits why WhatsApp dark mode may not work.
Do note that currently, dark mode on WhatsApp is not compatible with every phone OS. For Android users, this feature works on Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich and subsequent versions. However, iPhone users can only use it if iOS 13 or a subsequent version is installed on the device.
Method 1: Re-Enable Dark Mode on Device
You must take is to enable the Dark mode on the Android device or iPhone. If it is enabled already, simply turn it off and re-enable it to resolve any temporary glitch that may be causing the discussed issue.
Option 1: On Android
1. Open the Settings app and tap on Display & brightness.
2. Tap on Light mode, wait for some time, and then select Dark mode to re-enable it.
Option 2: On iPhone
1. Open the Settings app, scroll down, and tap on Display and Brightness.
2. Tap on Light, wait for some time, and then again tap on Dark to re-enable it.
Also Read: Why is WhatsApp Stuck on Connecting on iPhone and How to Fix It
Method 2: Enable Dark Mode on WhatsApp
In case WhatsApp is by default set on Light theme, you must change its setting to Dark theme to fix this issue.
Option 1: On Android
1. Open WhatsApp on the device, tap on the three dots icon at the top-right corner of the screen and select Settings.
2. Tap on Chats, followed by Theme.
3. Select Dark and tap on OK.
Option 2: On iPhone
iPhone users do not have the option to manually enable Dark mode on WhatsApp. Only applying the Dark theme enables it for all applications on the device.
Method 3: Switch to the Default Theme
Rarely, it can be the custom theme applied on the device which may be the reason why dark mode on WhatsApp is not working. Not all third-party themes offer dark mode support. You can switch to the default theme once and see if that helps.
Option 1: On Android
1. In Settings, tap on Personalization, and then on Themes.
2. Set it to Default and tap on Apply.
3. Now go back to the Display & brightness menu and select Dark mode. Check if now it is applied to WhatsApp.
Option 2: On iPhone:
There is no such option available for iOS users on iPhones. However, you can change your current theme to one that supports Dark mode and check if this resolves the discussed issue.
Also Read: How to Clear Recent Emojis on WhatsApp
Method 4: Force Quit WhatsApp
Force quitting an app like WhatsApp can resolve errors or issues by closing it down completely, which can help reset its state and clear any temporary glitches or bugs that may be causing problems.
Option 1: On Android:
1. Open Settings, go to Apps, and then Apps Management.
2. Tap on WhatsApp followed by Force Stop to close the app.
Option 2: On iPhone:
Unlike Android, on iPhone, you don’t have the option to Force Stop an app, so to do that, you must clear WhatsApp from recent apps and then Restart the device. Doing so refreshes all the apps and removes minor glitches.
Method 5: Clear App Cache
Over time, cache data stored by WhatsApp can become outdated or corrupt, which can lead to performance issues or functionality errors. We suggest you remove all such files, for which you can refer to our guide on 4 Ways to Clear Cache on Android Phone. On iPhone, there is no such option to clear app cache data.
Method 6: Update WhatsApp
Check if you haven’t updated WhatsApp for a long time as outdated apps are prone to bugs and temporary glitches. Meta regularly releases updates to fix these issues. Make sure you update WhatsApp on both your Android and iPhone and check if after that you can access Dark Mode on it.
Method 7: Reinstall WhatsApp
If the above solutions did not fix the error on WhatsApp, as a last resort, we suggest you try reinstalling the app. Doing so replaces damaged and corrupt files with fresh ones, which can potentially help. Make sure you backup WhatsApp chat history before you uninstall the app to prevent data loss.
How to Enable & Disable WhatsApp Web Dark Mode
WhatsApp also lets users change the chat theme to dark mode. Here’s how to do so:
1. Navigate to the WhatsApp Web page on your PC browser.
2. Click on the three-dot icon at the top-right corner of the chat section and select Settings.
3. Select Themes from the options, select Dark, and click OK.
4. If you want to disable it, follow the same steps, select Light, and click OK.
Recommended: How to Use 2 WhatsApp Accounts on One Phone: Android & iPhone
We hope our guide helped you fix WhatsApp Dark Mode not working in no time. If you have any queries or suggestions for us, do let us know in the comments section. Stay tuned to Techcult for more such app-related guides.
