WhatsApp: The File Format is Not Supported
Having trouble sending photos, videos, or other files via WhatsApp could be due to file format issues. There is also a possibility that this is a temporary glitch caused by running an outdated app version or setting the date and time incorrectly. The following is a quick guide to help you solve this problem.
What does it mean – the file format is not supported on WhatsApp?
The file format is not supported on WhatsApp means that the file format is not compatible with the WhatsApp platform. If you are trying to share a file on WhatsApp and you get the message that the file format is not supported, then it is possible that the person on the other end of your conversation does not have an app that can open this kind of file.
The most common reason for this is a compatibility issue with your phone or tablet and WhatsApp. This could be because you don’t have the latest version of WhatsApp installed or because your device doesn’t support one of the media formats that WhatsApp supports.
There are some video formats that WhatsApp does not support. Furthermore, some parameters must be met. Any violation of these points will prevent the file from being transferred. The simplest solution is to send a friend a video shot on your phone. It will be converted automatically, and no problem will arise.
Available file formats on WhatsApp
A file format is a standard for representing data in a particular type of computer file, for example, JPEG or MP4. The problem can be because WhatsApp does not support the given file type. It could also be because of an error message when sending a video on WhatsApp.
Most popular formats are supported by the messenger. However, it is worth taking into account the nuances. For example, MPEG-4 formats come in several types. Remember that WhatsApp only detects H264 + aac encoding when downloading. There may be problems depending on the type of application. A list of popular formats supported by the messenger can be found below:
- HD;
- 3GP
- RM;
- MOV;
- RAM
- AVI
- RA
- MKV.
You can see that WhatsApp accepts compact, network, and media formats. With the same SWF, the messenger does an excellent job. There are relatively few situations where WhatsApp does not support the file format. Over the past few years, WebM clips have been received from users. You can either update the messenger or do the gadget yourself. In many cases, the answer lies in the phone itself.
Things to do if the file format is not supported
If the file format is not supported by WhatsApp, we have compiled a few solutions below that can help you to fix the file format easily:
Change the File Location
The problem can be solved by moving the problematic file to a different location.
To put it another way, copy the file and save it somewhere else on your phone. For example, if the problematic file is an image or video, create a new album in the Gallery. Once the album is created, add the file to it. Be sure to navigate to the new file location when you send it again via WhatsApp.
Check Your Date and Time Settings
Having the wrong date and time settings on your terminal can prevent you from connecting to WhatsApp’s servers and downloading files sent by your contacts.
To change the date and time, go to Settings > System > Date and time. Ensure that your phone configures time zone information automatically.
Update WhatsApp
When you run an outdated WhatsApp version, you risk errors and glitches. It also includes the file format error.
Open the Google Play Store app and search for WhatsApp. Check for an Update button next to the app and tap it if it’s there. The WhatsApp app needs to be restarted after it has been updated. You should check if the error has been resolved.
Check Your SD Card
Having trouble sending or receiving files via WhatsApp may indicate that your SD card is corrupted. You have only two options in this case: format the SD card and erase all the content, or get a new SD card. Test WhatsApp to see if it still says that the file format is not supported.
Clear cache and Data
The clear cache method has worked many times. Sometimes it may be temporarily fixed. However, clearing the cache usually resolves most errors. Go to settings and tap on apps. You can select WhatsApp by tapping on it. Then, tap on clear cache and restart your device. You can now try opening the file.
Check Community
A failure to use the above methods could indicate a problem with WhatsApp. You can check the online community to see if the app has any bugs or if any solutions have been found. Most of the time, these errors are caused by updates.
This error was caused by one of the previous WhatsApp updates. Verify whether the case is the same. It is only possible to wait until the WhatsApp update is fixed if the problem is with WhatsApp.
Conclusion
Having a setback when you are looking forward to something can be extremely frustrating. It is now clear what to do if the video format you try to use on WhatsApp is not supported. It is simply a matter of changing the media player or the file format that can help you resolve the problem. However, these methods won’t work if the file itself is damaged. Using third-party tools, you can view your file if the file is corrupted in such a case.
FAQ
Why is the PDF file not opening in WhatsApp?
The PDF file is not opening in WhatsApp because it does not support it. PDF files are created using Adobe Acrobat, which is desktop software. They are not compatible with WhatsApp, which is a mobile app.
What does an unsupported file mean on your phone?
An unsupported file is a type of file that can’t be opened by the device or the computer. This usually means that the file is not supported by your phone. For example, if you have an iOS device and try to open a PDF file, this will show up as unsupported.
There are many reasons a file may be unsupported, but they all have to do with the type of data that it contains. These files are often in formats that are incompatible with your phone or computer, such as a graphics program like Photoshop or an audio format like WAV.
When you try to open an unsupported file on your device, you will see a message saying “Unsupported File.” You may need to use an app or computer to open this file instead.
How do I fix the file format that is not supported?
The file format not supported error is a common problem faced by PC users. This error occurs when a computer cannot open a file because it does not support the format. There are three steps that you need to follow to fix this problem:
- Check the file type and extension
- Check if there are any updates for Windows or for the software you are using
- Install any available updates for Windows or for the software you are using
