WhatsApp not sending photos as Downdetector reports rise
WhatsApp users reported trouble sending photos and messages on Monday, with more than 400 outage complaints logged on Downdetector and no fix timetable announced. Separately, Meta said it is restoring accounts wrongly placed under review for up to 24 hours.
Key Takeaways
- Downdetector logged more than 400 WhatsApp issue reports Monday as users struggled to send photos and messages.
- About 70 percent of those Downdetector complaints involved sending messages; some people could not open the app.
- Asbury Park Press said the glitch began around 4 p.m., with no public timeline for a fix.
- Meta also confirmed it is restoring accounts incorrectly flagged for a typical 24-hour Terms of Service review.
- WhatsApp has more than 3 billion monthly active users, so even limited disruptions can affect thousands.
If a WhatsApp photo sits unsent or a chat stalls on Monday, the problem is showing up far beyond one phone. Asbury Park Press reported that “WhatsApp not sending images” and “WhatsApp not sending photos” were both trending on Google while outage monitors filled with complaints.
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Is WhatsApp down according to Downdetector?
Asbury Park Press said Downdetector showed more than 400 reports of WhatsApp problems on Monday. Roughly 70 percent of those reports concerned sending messages. A smaller share of users said they could not access the app at all.
The outlet noted there was no timetable for when the issues would be resolved. Problems first started around 4 p.m., according to the same report. That mix of failed photo sends, stalled messages, and occasional login trouble matches what many people described when asking whether WhatsApp was down.
Why were some WhatsApp accounts locked for 24 hours?
On the same day, a separate Meta-side issue locked accounts worldwide. TechCrunch reported that several users found their WhatsApp accounts blocked and placed “under review” by Meta after posts spread on X and Threads.
Affected people saw a screen saying account activity and device info were being checked to make sure they follow WhatsApp’s Terms of Service, with a result typically within 24 hours. Gulf Business said hundreds of users—including many in India—reported lockouts that surfaced around 8:00 p.m. IST on Monday, with chats and calls unavailable during the review window and no prior warning.
Gulf Business also quoted users who rely on WhatsApp for work and said they had only used the official app. The in-app notice dated 3 Aug 2026 directed people to guidance on responsible use and account security while they waited.
What has Meta said about restoring access?
A WhatsApp spokesperson told TechCrunch the company is always working to stay ahead of people trying to abuse the service and ban accounts to keep others safe. The company admitted it sometimes gets enforcement wrong and said it tries to fix mistakes as quickly as possible so people can chat again.
“We’ve taken action to restore affected accounts,” the spokesperson said. Meta did not specify which regions were hit or what caused the false flags. Gulf Business likewise reported WhatsApp acknowledging that errors can occur while enforcing safety measures.
TechCrunch noted WhatsApp has more than 3 billion monthly active users, so even a proportionally small disruption can leave thousands unable to message. Users who only cannot send photos may be hitting the Downdetector-tracked messaging glitch rather than an account review—but both issues matter for a platform that underpins daily work and personal chat.