WhatsApp Profile Pic Not Showing, How to Fix It?

WhatsApp profile pic is a way to express yourself and share your identity with the people you chat with. While it may seem like a basic feature, there are times when it can stop showing, creating all kinds of frustration and confusion. If your WhatsApp profile pic suddenly stopped showing, then you are in the right place.

Here, we will take a look at the most common reasons behind this issue and a number of fixes that you can try to resolve this issue. This is an extensive troubleshooting guide, so you should be able to find the solution that works for you. So, without any further ado, let’s jump straight into it.

WhatsApp Profile Pic Not Showing: Possible Reasons

There can be a number of reasons why your WhatsApp profile pic isn’t showing to others. Here are some of the most common reasons:

1. Poor Internet Connection: For WhatsApp to quickly retrieve and show profile photos, you must have a solid internet connection. It can take a while for profile photos to appear if your internet connection is unstable or has interruptions.
2. Insufficient WhatsApp Permissions: To access photos, WhatsApp needs the appropriate permissions.
3. Privacy Settings Limitations: Other users might not be able to see your profile pic if you’ve set your privacy settings to private or limited visibility.
4. Outdated WhatsApp Version: Issues with profile pic visibility could occur if you’re using an older version of WhatsApp.
5. Cached Data Issues: If the app’s cached data becomes corrupted or outdated, issues with loading the profile pic might arise.
6. Profile Pic Format or Size: The profile pic you uploaded does not meet WhatsApp’s size and format requirements.
7. Corrupted Profile Pic: There might have been an issue with the initial upload, causing the profile pic to get corrupted.
8. Incorrect Date and Time: For your WhatsApp profile pic to display correctly to others, the date and time settings must be accurate.
9. Third-Party Apps: Some shady third-party apps might mess with WhatsApp and prevent it from working as expected. This is especially true with WhatsApp mods.
10. Insufficient Storage: You need to have sufficient storage space to keep WhatsApp running smoothly and avoid performance issues like profile picture loading problems.

18 Ways to Fix WhatsApp Profile Pic Not Showing

Now that we have discussed the possible reasons behind this issue, we can start fixing the issue with the following troubleshooting steps. We will share an extensive list of solutions, so make sure to try all of them. Follow all the steps carefully.

Fix 1: Check Internet Connection

You need a solid internet connection for your WhatsApp profile pictures to upload and show up on others’ phones. WhatsApp will be able to retrieve and display pictures quicker if your internet connection is stable.

If there are interruptions or instability in the internet connection, there may be delays or difficulty loading the profile pictures. Check and ensure that your internet connection is stable to make it easier for WhatsApp to access and display your contacts’ profile pictures.

If you are using a cellular connection, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Search For Better Signal: Move to a place where there is a better signal. If you have a better signal, then the internet connection will be more robust.
2. Toggle Airplane Mode: Toggle on and off the Airplane Mode to check if the cellular connection issue is resolved.
3. Check Data Usage: Make sure you have an active data plan with data left on your plan/pack.
4. Disable VPN: Turning on VPN can slow down your cellular connection by a mile. Consider turning it off temporarily.
5. Contact your Carrier: Contact your carrier if the internet connection issue continues to persist on mobile data.

If you are using Wi-Fi and having trouble with the internet connection, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Restart your Router: Simply turn off your router and then turn it back on to restart your router. This can sometimes help resolve transient issues.
2. Forget and Reconnect: Forget and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and see if that resolves the issue.
3. Remove Obstacles: Remove any obstructions between the router and your device for a smooth and stable internet connection.
4. Turn Off Bluetooth: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi operate on a similar frequency, causing interruptions between the two. Turning off Bluetooth can help strengthen the internet connection.
5. Disable VPN: Turn off the VPN to make sure that you have a strong internet connection, as VPNs usually slow down the connection.
6. Reset your Router: Find the reset button on the back of the router and press and hold it for a few seconds until the lights start blinking. Once the lights blink, release the button and configure your router again.
7. Contact your ISP: Contact your ISP to make sure there isn’t any internet outage going on.

Also, make sure to turn off Proxy in the WhatsApp settings. Follow the steps below:

Android:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap on the three dots > Settings. For users on a newer version of WhatsApp, tap on your profile picture at the top right.
2. Tap on Storage and data.
3. Tap on Proxy.
4. Turn off the toggle next to Use proxy.

iOS:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Settings tab on the bottom right.
2. Tap on Storage and Data.
3. Tap on Proxy.
4. Turn off the toggle next to Use Proxy.

Fix 2: Check WhatsApp Permissions

It is important that WhatsApp has the necessary permissions to access your photos. Unfortunately, if WhatsApp lacks the necessary permissions, it may have difficulties in retrieving and displaying profile pictures. After you grant the app permission to access your device’s picture library, it should be able to load profile pictures without issue. Follow the steps below:

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps.
3. Then, tap on See all apps.
4. Tap on WhatsApp.
5. Tap Permissions and make sure all the necessary permissions are allowed. This should include Camera and Photos and videos as a must.

iOS:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on WhatsApp.
3. Under ALLOW WHATSAPP TO ACCESS, make sure all the toggles, including Photos and Camera, are tuned on.

Web or Desktop:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. From the left pane, click on Apps.
3. Click on Installed Apps.
4. Now, click on the three dots next to WhatsApp and select Advanced options.
5. Under App permissions, turn on all the permission toggles.
6. Restart WhatsApp and check if the profile pic is now showing up.

Fix 3: Check Privacy Settings

Check your privacy settings if you want others to be able to see your profile picture. If you have set your profile picture to private or restricted visibility, other users may not be able to see it. The same applies to other users who might have restricted you.

You can fix problems with limited visibility by reviewing and adjusting your privacy settings if you want your profile picture to be shown to the persons you specify. Follow the steps below to check your privacy settings:

Note: You cannot manage your Privacy settings on WhatsApp Web or the Desktop App.

Android:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap on the three dots > Settings. For users on a newer version of WhatsApp, tap on your profile picture at the top right.
2. Tap on Privacy.
3. Tap on Profile photo.
4. Tap on My contacts and select the persons you want to show your profile picture to.
5. Alternatively, tap on My contacts except… and select the persons you don’t want to show your profile picture to.
6. You can also set it to be shown to Everyone.

iOS:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Settings tab on the bottom right.
2. Tap on Account.
3. Then, tap on Privacy.
4. Tap on Profile Photo.
5. Tap on My Contacts and select the persons you want to show your profile picture to.
6. Alternatively, tap on My Contacts Except… and select the persons you don’t want to show your profile picture to.
7. You can also set it to be shown to Everyone.

Fix 4: Restart Device

If you’re having trouble with your WhatsApp profile picture or simply any other software-related issue, a simple and effective solution is to restart your device. Restarting your device restores the normal operation of the system and gets rid of any temporary issues that may be impacting the app’s performance.

This hack basically resets WhatsApp and gives it a fresh start, fixing any problems with profile pictures. Follow the steps below to restart your device:

Android:

1. Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Up button simultaneously (or only the Power button) for a few seconds until the Power Off menu appears.
2. Tap on Restart or slide to restart your phone.

iOS:

1. Press and hold the Side key and the Volume Up key simultaneously and release once the Slide to Power Off menu appears.
2. Drag the slide to the right to power off your iPhone.
3. Now, press and hold the Side key again to turn your iPhone back on.

Web or Desktop:

1. Press the Windows key to open the Start menu.
2. Click on the Power icon on the bottom right.
3. Select Restart.

Fix 5: Update WhatsApp

For WhatsApp to work at its best, it is important to keep it updated. Bug fixes and enhancements, especially those related to well-known issues, are commonplace in updates.

If you want to be sure you’re using the most stable and compatible version of WhatsApp and minimize the chances of experiencing problems with profile picture loading, update to the latest version. Follow the steps below:

Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap on your profile picture at the top.
3. Tap on Manage apps & device.
4. Under Updates, tap on See details.
5. Find WhatsApp on the list and tap on the Update button next to it.

iOS:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap on your profile picture at the top or the bottom right.
3. Scroll down to see all the available app updates.
4. Tap on UPDATE next to WhatsApp.

Web or Desktop:

1. Simply refresh the page if you are using WhatsApp Web. For the desktop app, open the Microsoft Store and click on the Library option on the left.
2. Click on Get Updates.
3. Any available updates for WhatsApp will be installed automatically.

Fix 6: Clear App Cache

To fix problems caused by cached data, you can clear the WhatsApp app’s cache. Problems with profile picture loading may occur if cached data becomes corrupted or out of date. Follow the steps below to clear WhatsApp’s cache:

Note: There is no option to clear the cache of WhatsApp on iOS. You can clear the cache by simply restarting your iPhone.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps.
3. Then, tap on See all apps.
4. Tap on WhatsApp.
5. Tap on Storage and data.
6. Tap on Clear cache and then OK.

Web or Desktop:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. From the left pane, click on Apps.
3. Click on Installed Apps.
4. Now, click on the three dots next to WhatsApp and select Advanced options.
5. Scroll down and click on Reset.
6. Click on Reset again to confirm.
7. Open WhatsApp and log in again. Check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Fix 7: Check Profile Pic Requirements

Make sure your profile photo fits WhatsApp’s requirements for size and format. Display issues could occur if the picture isn’t up to scratch with these requirements. If you want WhatsApp to process and display your profile photo properly—and avoid problems caused by incompatible picture formats or sizes—make sure it follows the app’s requirements.

Here are the WhatsApp profile picture requirements:

• Minimum scaling: 192 x 192 pixels
• Recommended scaling: 500 x 500 pixels
• Maximum scaling: 640 x 640 pixels

• Format: JPG or PNG only
• Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (Automatically cropped to 1:1)
• Maximum file size: 5MB

Fix 8: Reupload Picture

A simple workaround for fixing possible corruption or issues with your current profile photo is to reupload it. If there were problems with the initial upload of the picture file, you can try uploading it again. Follow the steps below:

Android:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap on the three dots > Settings. For users on a newer version of WhatsApp, tap on your profile picture at the top right.
2. Tap on the Profile option or your profile picture itself.
3. Tap on the Camera icon next to your profile picture.
4. Tap on Gallery and select a profile picture for yourself.
5. Crop and adjust the image and tap Done.
6. Check to see if the profile pic is showing now.

iOS:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Settings tab on the bottom right.
2. Tap on your profile at the top.
3. Under your current profile picture, tap on Edit.
4. Tap on Edit again on the top-right.
5. Tap on Choose Photo or Take Photo.
6. Move and scale the image and tap Choose.
7. Check to see if the profile pic is showing now.

Web or Desktop:

1. Open WhatsApp Desktop.
2. Click on your profile picture at the bottom left corner of the screen.
3. Hover over your current profile picture and click on the Edit icon.
4. Click on Change image.
5. Select a profile picture you want to upload and click Open.

Fix 9: Log Out and Log In

A simple way to restart your WhatsApp session is to log out and then back into your account. You can fix any temporary data issues or account-related problems with this method.

When you log out and then back into WhatsApp, you essentially create a new connection with the servers. This usually fixes problems with your profile picture showing up and other account-related features. Follow the steps below:

Note: Logging out of WhatsApp will delete all your data. Make sure you have a backup of all your data before proceeding.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps.
3. Then, tap on See all apps.
4. Tap on WhatsApp.
5. Tap on Storage and data.
6. Tap on Clear data and then OK.
7. Open WhatsApp and log in again to see if the issue has been resolved.

iOS:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Then, tap on iPhone Storage.
4. Scroll down and tap on WhatsApp.
5. Tap on Delete App.
6. Tap on Delete App again to confirm.
7. Now, go back to the App Store and install WhatsApp again.
8. Log in using your phone number and see if the issue has been resolved.

Web or Desktop:

1. Open WhatsApp Desktop.
2. Click on the Settings icon at the bottom left corner of the screen.
3. Go to the General tab and click on Log out.
4. Click Yes to confirm.
5. Log in again using the QR code or your phone number.

Fix 10: Check Contact-Specific Issue

Check if other contacts can see your profile picture to determine if the problem is contact-specific. Isolating affected contacts might point to account or configuration-specific problems.

Make sure your profile picture shows up for everyone by checking contact-specific issues. That way, you can find out where the problem is coming from and fix it right away.

If a specific contact of yours is experiencing the issue or if you are experiencing the issue with a specific contact, first make sure you are not restricting each other in the Privacy settings (check Fix 3). Then, if the issue still persists, you should contact WhatsApp support.

Fix 11: Verify Date and Time Settings

It is important for you to ensure that your device’s date and time settings are correct. Incorrect date and time settings can cause data retrieval issues, including the visibility of WhatsApp profile pictures. Follow the steps below to check your date and time settings:

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on System.
3. Then, tap on Date and time.
4. Turn on the toggle next to Set time automatically.

iOS:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Then, tap on Date and Time.
4. Turn on the toggle next to Set Automatically.

Web or Desktop:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. From the left menu, click on Time & language.
3. Then, click on Date & time.
4. Turn on the toggle next to “Set time zone automatically” and “Set time automatically.”
5. Under Additional settings, click on Sync now.

Fix 12: Disable Third-Party Apps

Some third-party apps may interfere with WhatsApp’s functioning, causing issues with profile picture loading. These apps may modify system processes or permissions, which may affect how WhatsApp works. Try uninstalling any suspicious apps temporarily and check if WhatsApp is working normally and showing profile pictures. Follow the steps below:

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps.
3. Then, tap on See all apps.
4. Tap on the app you want to uninstall.
5. Tap on Uninstall and then OK.
6. Check to see if the WhatsApp profile picture is now showing.

iOS:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Then, tap on iPhone Storage.
4. Scroll down and tap on the app you want to delete.
5. Tap on Delete App.
6. Tap on Delete App again to confirm.

Web or Desktop:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. From the left pane, click on Apps.
3. Click on Installed Apps.
4. Now, click on the three dots next to the app you want to delete and select Uninstall.
5. Click on Uninstall again.

Fix 13: Test on Another Device

If you want to know if the problem is specific to one device, you can try WhatsApp on another one. If the profile pictures load properly on a different device, it means that the issue might be with the setup or settings of the first device. Simply use the linked devices feature to test if the WhatsApp profile picture is showing on another device or not.

Fix 14: Update Device Software

It is critical to keep your device’s software up to date in order to avoid compatibility issues. Outdated software may be missing capabilities or optimizations needed for seamless app performance, such as WhatsApp. Updating your device’s software to the latest version should help. Follow the steps below:

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on System.
3. Tap on Software update.
4. Tap on Check for updates.
5. If an update is available, tap on Download and install.
6. Finally, tap on Restart.

iOS:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General and then Software Update.
3. Tap on Download and Install.
4. Once the update is installed, restart your iPhone and see if the issue has been resolved.

Web or Desktop:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. From the left pane, click on Windows Update.
3. Click on Check for updates.
4. If an update is available, click on Download and install or Download & install all.
5. Finally, click on Restart now.

Fix 15: Reinstall WhatsApp

Uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp can efficiently address software bugs that might be causing the issue. This gives WhatsApp a fresh start by deleting any faulty files or configurations. Reinstalling WhatsApp effectively refreshes the app’s installation, which frequently resolves chronic issues with profile pictures not showing. Follow the steps below:

Note: Reinstalling WhatsApp will delete all your data. Make sure you have a backup of all your data before proceeding.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps.
3. Then, tap on See all apps.
4. Tap on WhatsApp.
5. Tap on Uninstall and then OK.
6. Check to see if the WhatsApp profile picture is now showing.
7. Go to the Google Play Store and install WhatsApp again. Log in and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

iOS:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Then, tap on iPhone Storage.
4. Scroll down and tap on WhatsApp.
5. Tap on Delete App.
6. Tap on Delete App again to confirm.
7. Go to the App Store and install WhatsApp again. Log in and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Web or Desktop:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. From the left pane, click on Apps.
3. Click on Installed Apps.
4. Now, click on the three dots next to WhatsApp and select Uninstall.
5. Click on Uninstall again.
6. Go to the Microsoft Store and install WhatsApp again. Log in and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Fix 16: Test Different Picture

You can also try testing with a different profile photo to determine whether the problem is related to the current one. If a different picture loads well, it means that there may be issues with the original picture file or format. Follow the steps below:

Android:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap on the three dots at the top, followed by Settings. For users on a newer version of WhatsApp, simply tap on your profile picture at the top right corner of the screen.
2. Now, tap on your profile at the top. For users on a newer version of WhatsApp, you can also tap on Profile.
3. Tap on the Camera icon next to your profile picture.
4. Select Gallery and then choose a different profile picture.
5. Move and scale the picture and tap Done.

iOS:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap on Settings on the bottom right.
2. Then, tap on your profile at the top.
3. Tap on Edit below your profile picture icon.
4. Now, tap on Edit in the top-right corner of the screen.
5. Select either Choose Photo or Take Photo. Choose a new profile picture.
6. Move and scale the picture and tap Choose when you are done.

Web or Desktop:

1. Open WhatsApp Desktop.
2. Click on your profile picture at the bottom left corner of the screen.
3. Click on your current profile picture and select Change image.
4. Select a new profile picture and click Open.

Fix 17: Ensure Sufficient Storage

Your device needs to have enough storage space for WhatsApp to function properly. Inadequate storage might cause performance concerns, such as trouble loading profile pictures. Here’s how you can check and free up storage space on your device:

Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Storage.
3. Make sure you have enough free storage space.

iOS:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Then, tap on iPhone Storage.
4. Free up storage space if needed.

Web or Desktop:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. From the left pane, click on System.
3. Click on Storage.
4. Click on Show more categories to see more details about the storage usage.
5. Free up storage space if needed.

Fix 18: Contact WhatsApp Support

If the problem remains despite all the above attempts at resolution, contact WhatsApp support. WhatsApp’s support team can give you a solution that is specific to your circumstance.

They can provide insights, remotely diagnose the issue, or provide advice for the next steps to fix the WhatsApp profile picture not showing. You can contact the support team by following the steps below:

1. Visit the WhatsApp Contact Us page.
2. Fill out all the necessary details and tap on Next Step.
3. Then, tap on Send Question.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions, and WhatsApp should respond to you soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I customize who sees my WhatsApp profile picture?

Yes, you can customize who sees your WhatsApp profile picture under the Privacy settings. You can choose to exclude or include contacts to see your WhatsApp profile pic.

2. Why does WhatsApp sometimes take time to update profile pictures for contacts?

WhatsApp relies on your internet connection to update profile pictures for contacts. If the internet connection is slow, updating the profile pictures for contacts will take longer than usual.

3. Is it possible to use a GIF as my profile picture on WhatsApp?

At the time of writing this article, it is not possible to use a GIF as your profile picture on WhatsApp. You can, however, set an avatar as your profile picture on WhatsApp.

4. Why does my profile picture on WhatsApp appear pixelated to others?

This is either because your profile picture itself is pixelated or because the internet connection is slow on others’ phones. Moreover, if you had a slow connection while uploading the profile picture, it might get pixelated. Reupload with a stable internet connection and see if the issue is fixed.

5. What happens to my profile pic if I log out of my WhatsApp account?

In most cases, WhatsApp resets your profile pic once you log out of your WhatsApp account. However, if you have a data backup, you should be able to restore the profile pic.

6. Why is my WhatsApp profile picture not showing to others? 

Your WhatsApp profile pic is not showing to others either because you have set privacy restrictions or because you have not set any profile pic at all. This issue could also result from a software bug or a slow internet connection.

Final Words

That’s how you fix the profile pic not showing on WhatsApp issue. This common issue can be fixed with a couple of troubleshooting steps. Ensure you have tried all the troubleshooting steps before contacting the support team. This will help ease the support process.

We hope this article has helped you fix the WhatsApp profile pic not showing and get back to messaging on WhatsApp. Which one of these solutions worked for you? Let us know in the comments section below.