My WhatsApp disconnected — how to reconnect

Why WhatsApp disconnects

An instance can leave the connected status and go to disconnected or offline for common reasons:

• The phone lost internet or stayed off for a long time (QR Code connections).
• The linked device was removed under Linked devices in WhatsApp.
• The number was opened on WhatsApp Web on too many devices.
• On the Cloud API, the Meta access token expired.

Reconnect a QR Code instance

1. Open Instances and find the instance with status disconnected or offline.
2. Click Reconnect (or Connect) to generate a new QR Code.
3. On your phone, go to WhatsApp > Settings > Linked devices > Link a device.
4. Scan the QR Code shown in the panel.
5. Wait for the status to return to connected (green).

💡 Tip: keep your phone online at all times. Since the connection works just like WhatsApp Web, the device needs internet for the instance to stay connected.

Reconnect a Cloud API instance

The official Meta connection has no QR Code. If the instance dropped:

1. Generate a new access token in the Meta panel.
2. In Zapini, edit the instance and update the token.
3. Save so Zapini revalidates the credentials.

If the number still does not come back, confirm the Phone Number ID is still correct and that the number was not deactivated on Meta.

Did I lose my history?

Reconnecting does not delete contacts, conversations or messages. The instance history stays intact — reconnecting only re-establishes the link with WhatsApp.

💡 Tip: reconnecting is different from disconnecting/logging out. Logout is for switching numbers and can clear data — use it only when changing the line.

Still not connecting?

• Refresh the page and try generating a new QR Code.
• Confirm the phone has not hit its linked-devices limit.
• Check that the number is not connected in another tool at the same time.