[7 Workable Ways] WhatsApp Not Showing Contact Names

When you want to chat with someone, it's frustrating when WhatsApp suddenly doesn't display contact names—even though WhatsApp photos appear normally, only the contacts are missing. It might even make you think your phone is malfunctioning. Luckily, this post will explain the reason and provide seven efficient approaches to resolve the "WhatsApp not showing contact names" issue.

Why is WhatsApp Showing Numbers but Not Contact Names

Before exploring the seven effective solutions to the "WhatsApp not displaying contact names" issue outlined in this article, it's essential to understand the underlying causes. Here are some possible reasons.

◆ Contacts that you saved are not yet completely retrieved by WhatsApp.
◆ Some permissions for WhatsApp are not granted, like contact permissions.
◆ The contact has changed their phone number, which you haven’t changed on your WhatsApp.
◆ Your contact/friend on WhatsApp deleted their account.
◆ The WhatsApp contacts settings don’t sync or refresh properly.
◆ You are using an outdated WhatsApp version.
◆ Your WhatsApp might currently suffer from bugs or glitches.

6 Easy Ways to Fix WhatsApp Not Showing Contact Names

There you have it! Those are the reasons why WhatsApp does not show contact names on iPhone/Android. Here are some common quick fixes for WhatsApp not displaying contacts. You can try a few of them.

1. Check if WhatsApp is Currently Down

The first thing you can do to fix the WhatsApp not showing contact names issue is to check whether its server-side is currently down. Like other services operating with a server, WhatsApp’s server sometimes faces issues. Thankfully, a website named Downdetector accumulates real-time user reports on whether an app like WhatsApp is currently facing an issue.

Now, to confirm if the issue’s occurrence is due to the app’s server, head to your browser, visit the "Downdetector" official website, and search for "WhatsApp" on the page’s search bar. Once you see the "WhatsApp" option, click it. Then, once you see recent reports similar to the issue, you must wait until it is fixed. If not, then you need to dive below to check other fixes.

2. Refresh WhatsApp Contacts

Sometimes, issues like "WhatsApp not showing contact names" can be fixed with a simple refresh. Refreshing contacts in WhatsApp helps resync or reload the contact list between your device and the app. Moreover, WhatsApp now provides a Refresh button that lets you quickly initiate this process.

Step 1First launch WhatsApp, tap the "Chat" icon at the lower left corner and tap the "More" button with the "three-dotted" icon.

Step 2Next, select the "Refresh" option. After that, the app will automatically initiate a contact refresh to fetch the recently added contacts on your device's contact list.

3. Check WhatsApp Permissions

You also need to check whether you granted all of the necessary permissions to avoid the WhatsApp not showing contact names issue. If not, then this might be the cause of the problem.

Step 1Launch the Settings app, select the "Apps" option, and tap the "See all # apps" button. Then, look for the "WhatsApp" and tap it. After that, select the "Permissions" option and tap the "Contacts" button.

Step 2After that, select the "Allow" option by tapping its radio button, and if you are using an iPhone, toggle on "Contacts".

Step 3Next, repeat the same process for the "Read call history, get device info, and Send SMS messages" options. Then, check whether it fixes the issue.

4. Clear WhatsApp Cache

You also need to clear your WhatsApp cache because once it accumulates lots of cache files, it could also trigger the "WhatsApp not showing contact names" issue to occur.

Step 1You first need to launch the "Settings" app on your Android device, select the "Apps" option and tap the "WhatsApp" button.

Step 2After that, tap the "Clear Cache" button. Then, check whether this option solves the issue.

5. Reinstall WhatsApp and Download the Updated Version

If the "WhatsApp not showing contact names" issue persists, it might be because you are using an old version of WhatsApp or it is currently suffering from bugs or glitches. The best way to address this is to uninstall and reinstall the app.

Step 1You can reinstall the app on Google Play if you use an Android. If you use an iOS device, you can reinstall the application on the App Store.

6. Contact WhatsApp Support

If none of the above fixes could help you fix the "WhatsApp not showing contact names" issue, then it is time to contact WhatsApp support. They can help you address the issue and bring WhatsApp back to work.

Step 1Access WhatsApp on your mobile device, tap the "More" options with the "three-dotted" icon, and select the "Settings" option (if you are using an iPhone, you can see the Settings option in the lower left corner).

Step 2After that, from the list of options, tap the "Help" button and select the "Contact Us" option. Then, explain the issue and tap the "Next" button. Next, head to the help section and check whether the issue is mentioned.

Step 3Finally, tap the "Send my question to WhatsApp Support" button. Then, you will be notified with a confirmation message from WhatsApp about the issue. And that’s it! That’s how you fix the "WhatsApp not showing contact names" issue via contacting WhatsApp.

Best Way to Back Up WhatsApp to Avoid Data and Contact Loss

That’s it! Now, after performing the above fixes, if you are concerned about losing WhatsApp data and contacts, you can use the professional 4Easysoft iOS Backup and Restore tool to back up your WhatsApp. This tool, compatible with both Windows and Mac, can quickly organize and back up over 20 types of data, including WhatsApp data and contacts. Moreover, this tool lets you select the detailed data, like detailed WhatsApp contacts, as you wish.

Step 1Download and install the 4Easysoft iOS Backup and Restore tool. After that, launch the tool and link your iOS device to your computer using your phone’s charger cable. Then, click the "iOS Data Backup" button.

Step 2Then, choose between Standard backup or Encrypted backup. If you think your WhatsApp data and contacts are confidential and need to encrypt them with a password, you can choose the "Encrypted backup" option. After that, tick the "Start" button.

Step 3Afterward, head to the "Applications" section and click the "WhatsApp & Attachments" checkbox. Finally, tick the "Next" button to initiate the WhatsApp backup process.

Step 4Then, wait for the tool to finish the backup process, which will only take a few moments. And that’s it! Then you can easily fix the "WhatsApp not showing contact names" with this alternative.

FAQs about How to Fix WhatsApp Not Showing Contact Names

• Does clearing the WhatsApp cache delete messages?

  No, clearing the WhatsApp cache will not delete your WhatsApp messages. Clearing the WhatsApp cache will not affect your chats, media, documents, etc. This process will only remove WhatsApp temporary files, freeing up storage space on your smartphone.

• How can I contact WhatsApp support on its web version?

  To contact WhatsApp support on its web version, you need to access the WhatsApp support webpage. After that, fill out the required information and click the NEXT STEP button. Then, select the issue mentioned on the help page section and tick SEND QUESTION.

• Can I clear the WhatsApp cache on my iPhone?

  Sadly, unlike Android devices, iPhones don't offer a direct way to clear the WhatsApp cache within or through their Settings app. What you can do to clear WhatsApp cache is to back up your chats first. Then, uninstall and reinstall the app to clear the WhatsApp cache.

Related Articles:

• Comprehensive Guide on How to Backup WhatsApp Messages on iPhone
• How to Backup iPhone 17 to External Hard Drive via Windows/Mac
• [Straightforward Answer] Does iPhone Automatically Backup?
• How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages: A Step-by-Step Guide