# WhatsApp won’t download or send photos on Android: what to check

By HeyMark · Updated November 3, 2026

Is a photo failing to download, or does a video you’re trying to send keep failing in WhatsApp? If you use Android, first identify which action fails: receiving and downloading, opening a file, or sending it. That helps you check the connection, permissions or SD card without deleting chats as a troubleshooting step.

## Test the connection, then retry the same file

If you’re on Wi-Fi, switch to mobile data; if you’re using mobile data, try Wi-Fi. Retry the same download or send. WhatsApp identifies a weak connection as the most common reason for media problems, but that doesn’t establish the cause on your phone.

Its [Android media help](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1096027074615511/?cms_platform=android&locale=en_US) also recommends restarting your phone and updating WhatsApp and the operating system. Check the file after each change. If the problem persists after these checks, contact your mobile provider.

## Check photo and video permissions

1. Open your phone’s **Settings**.
2. Go to **Apps → WhatsApp → Permissions**.
3. Open **Photos and videos** and select **Allow**.
4. Return to WhatsApp and retry the action that failed.

Labels vary by Android version and phone brand. You may see **Files and media** or **Storage** instead of separate permissions. For audio or documents, also check the permission relevant to the file you’re trying to send.

### If sending still fails and permission was already enabled

For this case, WhatsApp says to turn permission off and back on, restart the phone, then clear the cache through **Settings → Apps → WhatsApp → Storage → Clear cache**.

Choose **Clear cache**, without clearing the app’s data or storage. This check applies to sending that still fails with permission enabled; it isn’t a general repair for every file that won’t open.

## If your files are on an SD card

Use this branch only if your phone stores media on an SD card. Check that the card has free space and isn’t read-only. If you need to make room, review which files you can preserve elsewhere before deleting anything.

WhatsApp warns that a card with persistent problems could be corrupted. The symptom alone doesn’t establish that: protect your files before considering replacement or formatting.

## Check the result

Repeat the original download, open or send action. If you see **“This file format is not supported”**, the help recommends checking that WhatsApp is up to date.

If the problem continues, keep the exact message, file type and failing action when consulting [WhatsApp’s official help](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1096027074615511/?cms_platform=android&locale=en_US). Reinstalling or restoring a chat backup isn’t part of this media diagnosis.

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