How to Fix WhatsApp Not Starting on Windows 10/11 If WhatsApp isn't starting on your Windows PC, follow these steps to fix the issue: Open Settings Press Windows + I to open the Settings window. Open Optional Features In the Settings search bar (at the top), type "Optional Features" and select it. Install Media Feature Pack Click on "Add a feature". In the search box, type "Media Feature Pack". Select "Media Feature Pack" from the list and click Install. Note: If you're using Windows 10/11 N edition, this pack is essential for media apps like WhatsApp. Reinstall WhatsApp Open the Microsoft Store. Search for WhatsApp and reinstall it. Restart Your PC After installation is complete, restart your computer to apply all changes.

Hi, Thank you for sharing this information. Just a heads up as well that if the troubleshooting above is not working, we can isolate the issue by checking on another Windows user profile is to see if the issue is with the Windows profile itself.

WhatsApp not starting or working on Windows 10/11

Aqeel Peerzade 45

How to Fix WhatsApp Not Starting on Windows 10/11

If WhatsApp isn't starting on your Windows PC, follow these steps to fix the issue:

Open Settings Press Windows + I to open the Settings window.
Open Optional Features In the Settings search bar (at the top), type "Optional Features" and select it.
Install Media Feature Pack
- Click on "Add a feature".
- In the search box, type "Media Feature Pack".
- Select "Media Feature Pack" from the list and click Install.
Note: If you're using Windows 10/11 N edition, this pack is essential for media apps like WhatsApp.
Reinstall WhatsApp
- Open the Microsoft Store.
- Search for WhatsApp and reinstall it.

Restart Your PC After installation is complete, restart your computer to apply all changes.

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

Judie F-H 30 Reputation points

2025-12-12T20:49:39.2366667+00:00

i loaded whats app to my new lenova with windows 11. it is not functioning and i am unable to uninstall it. it keeps going around and around. i have checked for help and there is NO setting for media feature in the setting options. please help. thanks
Dick Polley 0 Reputation points

2025-12-17T11:38:41.29+00:00

You only need to add Media Feature Pack to the N version of Windows 10, not the Home edition.
Isambard Brunel 10 Reputation points

2025-12-23T01:03:33.66+00:00

https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/12/11/whatsapp-is-logging-more-windows-11-users-out-to-push-its-new-slow-web-wrapper-app/
F Z 10 Reputation points

2025-12-29T05:02:15.6833333+00:00

I HAVE A PROBLEM I'M OPENING THE WHATSAPP BUT NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NOT LAUNCH BUT I INSTALLA AGAIN AND AGAIN MANY TIME'S BUT NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE I WAS TERMINATE RESET AND REPAIR OPTION'S TRY BUT NOT RESPONDING THE APP NOT WORK PROPERLY
Isambard Brunel 10 Reputation points

2025-12-29T10:21:57.4633333+00:00

STILL NO SOLUTION FOR THIS....!!!!!!
Kastriot Gjuraj 5 Reputation points

2026-01-03T18:57:58.0833333+00:00

5 days with no chance... until I found some missing components:

1-MicrosoftEdgeWebView2Runtime

2-DotNetFx

Try it!
Stefano 15 Reputation points

2026-01-03T19:13:13.61+00:00

Same problem for me on Windows 11 (version 23H2 - OS build 22631.6199).

I tried clearing app data, reset the app nothing worked. I had to uninstall it and reinstall it.

Then it worked, only up to the next Windows reboot! Now it is there again not opening, the loading bar stuck at 0%.
Please fix this, it is very frustrating!
Darren 10 Reputation points

2026-01-17T19:16:46.7433333+00:00
This solution worked for me on Windows 11.

Press Win + I to open Settings.

Go to Apps → Installed apps (or Apps & features in some views).

Search for or find WhatsApp, click the three dots (...) next to it, and select Advanced options.

Scroll down and click Terminate (this force-stops any running WhatsApp processes).

Then scroll to the Repair section and click Repair (this fixes corrupted files while keeping your login/chats intact).

Once done, right-click the WhatsApp shortcut/start menu entry and choose Run as administrator to launch it.
Isambard Brunel 10 Reputation points

2026-01-17T20:10:03.1933333+00:00

NOPE.. STILL WILL NOT RUN....
Urfe 5 Reputation points

2026-01-19T01:21:41.5066667+00:00

Same with me, nothing has worked with the app... However, even though they ask you to download their app for PCs, you are still able to use Whatsapp web in Chrome. This has been stable for me for a few days now
Tarah Norton 15 Reputation points

2026-01-27T18:05:21.3633333+00:00

I have uninstalled and reinstalled on my windows 11. I also cleared but the app refuses to open. what is the cause of this?I never had this issue until the update in December!
Kelly 0 Reputation points

2026-02-07T21:27:47.0733333+00:00

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 25H2

Installed on ‎8/‎14/‎2025

OS build 26200.7623

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.275.0

I updated to this version, now my whatsapp no longer load just a black box, and i dont have any option to load "Media Feature Pack". I know it says install date of 08/14/2025 and until my Win 11 updates yesterday everything was working fine ... I have tried all helpful thoughts from this page and the internet search as well with no fix happening. Please Help and thank you
Daniel Dulgheriu 10 Reputation points

2026-02-21T17:53:34.95+00:00

I follow all your steps.and its not working at all.After "Add a feature" its no searching bar.no "Media Feature Pack,no nothing and WhatsApp still refuse to open.It is there but doesn't open!
Sean St. John 5 Reputation points

2026-03-11T11:41:17.7566667+00:00

Windows update today broke Whatsapp. Full re-install didn't help. Says loading chats but never finishes, just keeps resetting and asking me to log in again. This is a recurring issue that I've dealt with multiple times over the years. This software is absolute crap.
Kitwa Clément 5 Reputation points

2026-03-25T16:59:04.1666667+00:00

impossible
Richard Hofman 50 Reputation points

2026-04-03T14:09:52.39+00:00

It used to work, but suddenly it stopped working on my Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview

Verze 25H2

Datum instalace ‎21.‎03.‎2026

Build operačního systému 26300.8142

Windows 1000.26100.345.0

Please, it's a system error in Windows OS which I can't fix in any way.
Richard Hofman 50 Reputation points

2026-04-03T14:12:27.66+00:00

This is exactly what happened to me as well. Just WhatsApp web is working perfectly, but the app is not working anymore...
Priyam Tanna 0 Reputation points

2026-05-13T17:41:50.29+00:00

there is no such option available in my laptop and i i go in view features then it shows already installed features and option to remove them and not add then and if i go in more windows features the media pack feature shows already installed ... i re installed it but still there is no change in whatsapp app behavior

6 answers

Diana Mariz 11,405 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-08-03T06:08:05.1933333+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for sharing this information.

Just a heads up as well that if the troubleshooting above is not working, we can isolate the issue by checking on another Windows user profile is to see if the issue is with the Windows profile itself.
Was this answer helpful?

6 people found this answer helpful.
Aqeel Peerzade 45 Reputation points

2025-08-03T06:15:12.59+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for your suggestion!

I actually tried the solution I mentioned earlier (installing the Media Feature Pack and reinstalling WhatsApp), and it worked for me as well as for others who encountered the same issue.

I really appreciate your input, and I’ll keep it in mind for future troubleshooting.

Thanks again for your help!

Daniel Dulgheriu 10 Reputation points

2026-04-04T14:59:44.66+00:00

NOT WORKING AT ALL!!!

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