How to Fix Houseparty Not Working Issue

The video conferencing apps rank high in the work from home solutions and have experienced explosive growth recently. For casual as well as professional video calls, such apps are a boon. One such app is Houseparty, which allows users to not only talk with each other but also play cool games at the same time. The only issue is that the Houseparty app is not working or even loading for some users.

The app is available on both iOS and Android, and there is a web version too. Let’s see what we can do to help with the situation so you can go back to cracking jokes and playing games over video calls in Houseparty.

1. App/Server Side Errors

The recent surge in the number of users has caused all sorts of problems. Houseparty shared an update recently stating that they were facing ‘some issues’ without being too specific the reason. I suggest you check their Twitter account for official announcements.

You should also check Downdetector to see if there is a server downtime or some other issue where you live. It’s a handy site that tracks the most popular apps and services for downtimes. Check the regional map and graph for more details.

2. Access and Permissions

Is the Houseparty app loading fine but still not working correctly? One reason could be the lack of proper permissions like access to camera, mic, and gallery. Let’s begin with the browser. Either go to camera under Settings or copy-paste this in a new tab.

chrome://settings/content/camera

Check if Houseparty is listed under the Block list and if yes, delete the listing. Now, repeat the same process for the microphone, which can be found at the path mention below.

chrome://settings/content/microphone

And do it for notifications too. You can search for the entry if the list is too long.

chrome://settings/content/notifications

Launch the web app again. This time, make sure you allow access to webcam and mic when asked, among other things.

On Android phones, go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps > Houseparty and open App permissions. Make sure it has permission to access contacts, camera, and everything else. Otherwise, Houseparty won’t work correctly.

In case of iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Houseparty and give necessary permissions.

Note: Most people have contacts stored on their smartphones. If you haven’t given Houseparty access to contacts there, it won’t show on the web app (browser) either. That’s why you may wonder that even though the web app is working correctly, why can’t I see my contacts. You can’t because you need to sync them from the phone first.

3. Number of Devices

Houseparty says that irrespective of whether you have a beautiful face or not, you can party on only one device at a time.

Close all other instances of Houseparty app under your username and choose one device. Choose your party location. That’s another reason why Houseparty is not working for you.

4. Old Cache, Corrupt Data

Old cache or corrupt app files may be responsible for Houseparty not working error. Again, I will begin with the browser.

Options and location may vary based on the browser you are using. Go to Settings and find Clear browsing data option under Privacy and security. You need to delete cookies and cache files. Note that doing so will log you out of all sites and not just Houseparty. Save everything before moving forward.

Android users will open Settings > Manage apps > Apps > Houseparty and tap on Clear data at the bottom of the screen. You can delete both data and cache files from there. That will require you to sign back into the Houseparty app. Check if the app is working after that.

5. Reinstall

I would suggest you repeat the steps in the above point before uninstalling Houseparty and reinstalling it. There are two benefits you shall get. One is that you will automatically use the latest version of the app which should fix any known bugs and errors. The second is that if you don’t delete cache and other old data files, they may continue to hinder the way app works. And you definitely don’t want that. Always go for a clean install when reinstalling an app irrespective of the platform.

Housewarming Party

Houseparty is a new app that made a debut sometime last year and later Epic Games acquired it. So, I guess you can trust Houseparty with your contacts and webcam access. Still, your privacy lies in your hands, and you can never be too cautious.

Don’t forget to wear your party gear before connecting with friends and family members. And keep washing those hands, especially before you eat even if you haven’t been outside lately. It’s a good habit to follow.

If you are using another app for video conferencing or playing/connecting with friends, do share with us in the comments below.

Next up: Click on the link below to learn how Houseparty is different from Zoom, the infamous app that went viral on the internet recently.