Google assistant on Google pixel can't find a contact on whatsapp

[Goi]

I have a Google Pixel and Google Assistant can't seem to find a specific contact when I say "send a Whatsapp message to contact". The name is voice-detected and spelled correctly, and if I scroll down the Whatsapp contact list, it's there.

I've previously had 2 contact entries of the same person in my contact list, because this person had changed phone numbers and I didn't delete the old entry. Google Assistant was sending Whatsapp messages to the old entry sometimes, so I deleted it, but now it can't even find the other entry.

Other contacts I've tried are fine. If I try "Send an SMS message to contact" it works also, so it seems to be just a Whatsapp problem. What could be wrong?

 

[WelshBloke]

and if I scroll down the Whatsapp contact list, it's there.

If you go into the actual phone contacts rather than the contacts list in WhatsApp are they there? And listed as a WhatsApp contact?

 

[Goi]

If you go into the actual phone contacts rather than the contacts list in WhatsApp are they there? And listed as a WhatsApp contact?

Yup. In the phone contacts, I see options to Whatsapp message and Whatsapp call the associated phone number.

 

[Oyeve]

Have you contacted whatsapp?

 

[Goi]

Have you contacted whatsapp?

No, since I wasn't sure if it's a Google Assistant or Whatsapp problem.

 

[Goi]

WhatsApp hasn't been responsive at all. Any ideas?

 

[WelshBloke]

Does it work if you just use Google now?

 

[WelshBloke]

WhatsApp hasn't been responsive at all. Any ideas?

Well it's not really a WhatsApp problem. WhatsApp is working fine, it's the Google assistant that's not working. You could try Google support but...

 

[Red Storm]

Have you tried removing the contact and recreating it?

 

[Goi]

WhatsApp suggested powering down the device, waiting 30s and then powering it up again. I was skeptical, but apparently it worked.

 

[Red Storm]

There's a reason "Did you turn it off and on again?" Is the number one go to tech support line... Because it so often solves the problem.

 

[WelshBloke]

So you never refreshed your WhatsApp contacts?

 

[Goi]

So you never refreshed your WhatsApp contacts?

How do you do that?

 

[WelshBloke]

How do you do that?

Go to contacts in WhatsApp, hit the three dots in the top right then hit refresh.