Have you ever been in the middle of a WhatsApp video call and suddenly the image rotates automatically without you having touched anything? This problem, although not new, continues to affect many users of both Android and iPhone And it can be very annoying, especially if you're in an important conversation. While it's not a widespread issue, it can happen frequently if certain corrective measures aren't taken.
In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at why this phenomenon occurs and, most importantly, how you can fix it. From operating system errors to incorrect configurations to issues with device sensors, we'll explain everything in detail. Get ready, because solving this problem is easier than it seems, and here you'll find all the keys to preventing it from happening again.
What causes WhatsApp video calls to automatically rotate?
Before applying solutions, the first thing to understand is Why this unexpected turn of events occurs in the middle of a video callThere are several possible causes, and while they may vary depending on the device or operating system, these are the most common:
- Auto-rotate is on: This feature, which in theory should make using your phone easier, can backfire if the orientation sensor misinterprets the angle of the phone.
- Errors or bugs in the WhatsApp app: An outdated or buggy version can cause abnormal behavior, including the screen changing orientation without warning during a video call.
- Conflicts with other appsSome apps that also use your phone's camera or sensors, such as photo editing apps, screen recording apps, or other video calling platforms, may interfere with WhatsApp.
- Problems of hardwareIf the accelerometer or gyroscope—the sensors responsible for detecting the device’s orientation—are faulty, they may send erroneous signals that cause the screen to rotate unnecessarily.
Effective solutions to prevent video calls from rotating automatically
Once the possible causes have been identified, it's time to take action. Fortunately, There are several solutions you can try depending on the reason causing this error. Here we explain them step by step.
Disabling auto-rotation
The most direct way to prevent the screen from rotating by itself is manually disable the auto-rotate featureDepending on your operating system, the process varies slightly:
- On Android: Swipe down from the notification bar and tap the icon that says “Auto-rotate” until it is marked as off.
- On iPhone: Access the Control Center by swiping up from the top right corner of the screen and tapping the lock icon with the circular arrow (orientation lock).
With this setup, the video call image will remain fixed regardless of how you rotate the device.
Restart your phone frequently
It seems like a simple solution, but restart your phone from time to time It helps fix temporary system and application errors. It can also restore proper functioning of internal sensors such as the gyroscope and accelerometer.
We recommend turning your device off and on at least once every two days to maintain its performance and avoid errors like this.
Update WhatsApp to the latest version
Another important step is to keep WhatsApp updated. Older versions may contain bugs that have already been fixed in recent updates, so manually check for available updates:
- From Android: Go into Google Play Store, search for WhatsApp and press the “Update” button if available.
- From iPhone: Go to the App Store, search for WhatsApp, and tap “Update.”
This can not only fix the rotation issue, but also improve the overall performance of the app.
Clearing WhatsApp Cache (on Android)
The temporary data that WhatsApp accumulates can cause conflicts if there is corrupt files. Because of that, Clearing the cache can be an effective solution (only available on Android):
- Open the device settings.
- Access the section "Applications" and then search for WhatsApp.
- Within the app, go to “Storage and Cache”.
- Press on "Clear cache".
Don't worry, this procedure It will not delete your chats or media files; just clean Temporary files.
Camera permission check
If WhatsApp does not have the camera permissions correctly configured, errors may occur in the video call, including the spontaneous rotation of the image. Check the permissions this way:
On Android:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Go to “Applications” and search for WhatsApp.
- Tap “Permissions” and make sure the camera is enabled.
An iPhone:
- Go into Settings.
- Search for WhatsApp and tap “Camera.”
- Confirm that the permission is enabled.
Force close the app
If WhatsApp has been "stuck" after a minor glitch, close the application completely and open it again may be an immediate solution:
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Force Stop.
An iPhone:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and manually close WhatsApp.
Afterwards, reopen the app and make a video call to see if the error has been resolved.
Reinstall WhatsApp as a last resort
If none of the above works, uninstall the app and reinstall it It may be the ultimate solution. Just remember to back up your chats before deleting the app.
Once reinstalled, the app will start from scratch, eliminating any accumulated errors.
What if nothing works? Possible hardware problem
If, after applying all the solutions above, your video calls still keep rotating on their own, the problem is likely related to a failure in the phone's internal sensorsThe gyroscope and accelerometer are responsible for detecting the device's movement and orientation. When one of them fails, it can cause distortions like this.
In this case, it is best to take your phone to a technical service, especially if it's still under warranty. In many cases, if the sensor is damaged, the manufacturer may choose to replace the device or provide a free repair.
These types of situations can ruin more than one video call, but now you know you're not alone, and it's not something that can't be fixed. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to detect the source of the problem and fix it, both through internal phone settings and within the app itself. Proper maintenance, frequent updates, and a good configuration can prevent these issues from happening again, and if they do, you already have the necessary tools to fix them without complications.
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