How to Log in to WhatsApp on a PC: WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp Web is the official web version of WhatsApp that opens right in your computer browser and shows all your chats, just like the mobile app. You do not need to install anything. A modern browser and a stable internet connection on your PC are enough.
There is also WhatsApp Desktop for Windows and macOS. It installs like a regular program and also signs in via a QR code. In practice, WhatsApp Web is perfect for a quick WhatsApp Web login online on any PC, while WhatsApp Desktop is often a bit more stable and integrates better with system notifications.
Below is a simple, step-by-step guide for WhatsApp Web login, plus fixes for common issues like “WhatsApp Web not working”.
Step-by-step: WhatsApp Web login with a QR code
1) Open WhatsApp Web in your browser
Go to the official website: web.whatsapp.com.
You will see a large WhatsApp Web QR code on the screen.
2) Open WhatsApp on your phone
- Android: tap the three dots (top right) → Linked devices
- iPhone: open Settings → Linked devices
3) Link your computer
Tap Link a device. Your phone camera will open to scan the QR code.
Scan the QR code on your computer screen. In a few seconds, your chats and groups will load in the browser. That is your WhatsApp Web online on a computer.
4) Keep the tab open and use WhatsApp on PC
Now you can chat, send files, photos, videos, and documents directly from your computer. For many people, this is the fastest way to use WhatsApp Web on a computer.
How to log in to WhatsApp Web with a phone number (no QR scan)
Sometimes scanning a QR code is annoying. The camera does not focus, the monitor has glare, or you just want another method. In these cases, WhatsApp Web login with phone number can help.
1) Open the WhatsApp Web site
Go to web.whatsapp.com in your browser as usual.
2) Choose “Link with phone number”
Under the QR code you should see an option like “Link with phone number” (or “Log in with phone number”). Click it.
3) Select your country and enter your number
Choose your country, enter your WhatsApp phone number, and confirm.
4) Follow the instructions on your phone
You will see a code and a short guide on the screen. Open WhatsApp on your phone, confirm the login, and enter the code if required.
After that, you will see your chats in the browser even without scanning the QR code directly. This method is handy if you cannot scan the WhatsApp Web QR code for any reason.
Can you use WhatsApp Web without keeping your phone online?
In the past, WhatsApp Web depended heavily on your phone connection. If your phone lost internet, WhatsApp Web would disconnect immediately.
Now WhatsApp supports multi-device. You can link additional devices to one account. In most cases, it is up to 4 linked devices in addition to your main phone, so effectively up to 5 total if you count the phone.
Important detail: you still cannot start completely “without a phone”. The first linking (via QR code or phone number) requires access to your WhatsApp account on the phone. But after the initial verification, your chats can keep syncing even if your phone is temporarily offline.
So yes, you do not have to keep your phone constantly connected after you link WhatsApp Web, but you do need the phone for the first setup.
Security: how to avoid losing access and how to log out from a shared computer
If you care about privacy (and you should), follow these simple rules:
- Use only the official address: web.whatsapp.com.
Avoid “clone” websites that ask you to enter numbers or codes. - Do not leave WhatsApp Web logged in on someone else’s PC, especially at work, in a hotel, or in an internet cafe.
- Check your linked devices regularly:
Open WhatsApp on your phone → Linked devices. If you see something suspicious, log out from that device immediately.
Common WhatsApp Web login problems and quick fixes
Problem 1: The QR code will not scan
Try these quick fixes:
- Zoom in on the page in your browser (Ctrl + “+” on Windows, Cmd + “+” on macOS)
- Clean your phone camera lens
- Increase monitor brightness
- Change the screen angle to reduce reflections
- Try another browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
Problem 2: WhatsApp Web says there is no connection
- Check your internet on the computer
- For the first login, make sure the phone has internet too
- Close and reopen the tab at web.whatsapp.com
- Restart your router if needed
Problem 3: It keeps logging me out
This is often caused by:
- Clearing browser cache/cookies too aggressively
- Using incognito/private mode
- Ad blockers or privacy extensions that block cookies/scripts
Fix:
- Add web.whatsapp.com to exceptions in your blockers
- Disable problematic extensions
- Try a different browser
Problem 4: No notifications about new messages
- Allow notifications for WhatsApp Web in your browser settings
- Make sure the WhatsApp Web tab is not being “put to sleep” by power saving modes
- If you use WhatsApp Desktop, check the app’s notification settings too
FAQ: WhatsApp Web login on a computer
What is the official website for WhatsApp Web on a computer?
The official address is web.whatsapp.com. That is the real WhatsApp Web page with the QR code and the phone number linking option.
Can I open the WhatsApp web version without my phone nearby?
For the first login, you need access to your WhatsApp account on your phone to link the browser or computer. After the one-time verification, chats can continue syncing even if your phone is temporarily without internet.
What is the difference between WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop?
WhatsApp Web runs in a browser and requires no installation.
WhatsApp Desktop is a standalone app for Windows and macOS with a similar interface and QR code login. The desktop app is often a bit more stable and usually works better with system notifications.
Can I use one WhatsApp account on multiple computers?
Yes. WhatsApp supports multiple linked devices. Typically you can have up to 4 linked devices plus your main phone. If WhatsApp detects suspicious activity, it may log you out for security reasons.
Can I use multiple WhatsApp accounts in one browser?
Yes, but you need separate browser profiles or separate sessions. One simple approach is to use different browser profiles. If you manage many accounts, tools that support multiple isolated profiles (for example, Accovod) can make it easier to keep sessions separated.
How do I completely log out of WhatsApp Web on all devices?
Open WhatsApp on your phone → Linked devices → log out from all devices (or remove sessions one by one). After that, any browser or desktop app will require a new QR code scan or phone number linking to sign in again.