Have you ever experienced a sudden notification on WhatsApp that reads "WhatsApp error – Something went wrong with your chat history"? If so, you're not alone. This issue often causes panic because many people store important information in their chat history. In this article, ajakteman.com will explain in detail how to resolve WhatsApp issues caused by chat history errors, particularly those caused by a full phone storage.
This problem usually doesn't arise without a cause. One of the main causes is a phone's internal memory being too full, preventing WhatsApp from reading or storing chat data properly. But don't worry, you don't need to uninstall immediately or worry about losing data. Follow the steps and explanations below to find the best solution.
What Causes WhatsApp Error with Chat History?
Before we get into the solution, it's important to understand the root of the problem. WhatsApp stores your chat data locally on internal storage and periodically backs it up to the cloud (Google Drive or iCloud). When internal storage is full, the app has difficulty saving new data or reading old data. As a result, the system displays the error "there was an error with your chat history."
Other problems that could also be the cause:
- Corrupted WhatsApp cache files
- WhatsApp media file stack is too large
- Not enough space to create an automatic backup
- WhatsApp files are corrupted due to improper transfer
- Failed app update
Steps to Resolve WhatsApp Chat History Error
1. Clear WhatsApp Cache
The simplest and safest initial steps:
How to clear cache:
- Long press the WhatsApp icon
- Select App Info
- Go to the Storage & Cache menu
- Tap Clear Cache
This will delete temporary files without deleting your data or chats.
2. Move Large Files to SD Card
If your phone supports SD card, this is the best solution to free up internal memory.
Files that can be moved:
- Videos from WhatsApp (folder:
WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Video) - Personal photos
- Download files from groups
Tip: Use the File Manager app to select multiple files at once and move them to a new folder on the SD card.
3. Delete Unused Photos, Videos, and Apps
If you don't have an SD card, an alternative is to delete data that is rarely or never used again.
Prioritize:
- Blurry photos, duplicates, or screenshots are not important.
- Videos that have been sent or received on WhatsApp
- Rarely used game or social media applications
Use the “Storage” feature in your phone’s settings to see which apps are taking up the most space.
4. Clean WhatsApp Folder
WhatsApp automatically stores a lot of media files. If left to accumulate, they can become very large.
Folders that can be cleaned:
WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images/SentWhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Video/SentWhatsApp/Databases(if there are too many old backups)
Important note: Be careful when deleting files on Databases. Make sure you have a backup before deleting old backup files.
How to Prevent This Problem from Reoccurring
Create a Regular Cleaning Schedule
- Delete unimportant group chats
- Backup to Google Drive every week
- Use the “Manage Storage” feature in WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Storage & Data > Manage Storage
Don't Install Heavy Apps
Some apps take up a lot of space even though they're rarely used. Prioritize only the essential and frequently used ones.
So, the conclusion
The WhatsApp error that says "there was an error with your chat history" is often caused by a full phone's storage capacity. Simple steps like clearing the cache, clearing the WhatsApp folder, moving files to an SD card, and deleting unused apps can quickly resolve this issue.
If the problem persists after all these steps, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp, provided you have backed up your chats to Google Drive or iCloud first.
By keeping your storage free and regularly cleaning it up, you can use WhatsApp smoothly without encountering errors like this again. Don't forget to regularly check your WhatsApp media folder, as that's where files often accumulate without you realizing it.
We hope this article from ajakteman.com helps you resolve your WhatsApp issues quickly and safely. Good luck!