There can be several reasons why WhatsApp is not refreshing contacts. Here are some possible causes and solutions to try:
1. Syncing issue: The first thing to check is if the contacts sync is enabled for WhatsApp. To do this, go to the phone’s settings, select “Users and accounts” or “Passwords and accounts,” depending on your device. Look for WhatsApp in the list and tap on “Account sync.” Make sure the toggle button next to contacts is turned on to force the phone to perform a contacts sync.
2. Permission settings: WhatsApp may not have the necessary permissions to access your contacts. To check this, go to the phone’s settings, select “Apps” or “Applications,” depending on your device. Find WhatsApp in the list and tap on it. Go to the “Permissions” section and make sure the “Contacts” permission is enabled.
3. Contact visibility settings: It’s possible that the contacts are still on WhatsApp, but they are not visible due to privacy settings. Open WhatsApp and go to the “Chats” tab. Tap on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select “Settings.” Go to “Account” and then “Privacy.” Make sure the “Read receipts” and “Last seen” options are enabled, as these can affect contact visibility.
4. Contact synchronization delay: Sometimes, there may be a delay in contact synchronization between your phone’s address book and WhatsApp. Give it some time and check again later to see if the contacts reappear. You can also try restarting your phone to see if that helps.
5. Contact deletion: In rare cases, contacts may have been accidentally deleted from your phone’s address book, which would also remove them from WhatsApp. Double-check your phone’s contacts app to ensure the contacts are still there. If they are missing, you may need to restore them from a backup or manually add them again.
6. App update or bug: It’s possible that a recent WhatsApp update has caused a bug or compatibility issue with your phone’s contacts. Check if there are any pending updates for WhatsApp in the app store and install them. If the issue persists, you can try reinstalling WhatsApp to see if that resolves the problem.
7. Server issues: At times, WhatsApp servers may experience temporary disruptions or maintenance, which can affect contact synchronization. In such cases, it’s best to wait for the issue to be resolved on their end.
It’s important to note that the solutions provided above are general troubleshooting steps, and the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your device and operating system version. If none of these solutions work, you may want to reach out to WhatsApp support for further assistance.