For whatever reason, she can't get Skype to work any more, and she suggested WhatsApp. She uses WhatsApp to make voice calls to people without problems.
We exchanged phone numbers, everything was accepted, and we can send text message in both directions without problems.
When either of us tries to place a call, either video or voice, there are no error message, but the call never goes through. My phone says "connecting," and goes "beep... beep... beep..." for perhaps thirty seconds, and then finally "boop." On the "boop" it drops the call, without connecting or giving any error message. The same thing happens to her.
Remember, we are able to exchange text message, and each of us is in the other's contact list.
I am in the US, she is in Mexico.
What are some likely reasons for the problem? I don't even know how to start on troubleshooting.
Thanks to all who commented so far. She is definitely not on WiFi. (And I definitely am). The problem arose because she's moved, doesn't have WiFi where she's living... and couldn't get Skype to work for her at an Internet café. I thought the whole idea of WhatsApp was that it would work with only a cell connection, but as you say she might not have good cell data or enough cell data.
Dan: As Mumtaz said, my wild guess is that she's not on WiFi, and that her cell phone service provider gives her free WhatsApp texting (as if often the case with many providers in Latin America), but not free WhatsApp calling. So maybe she ran out of "megas" in her data plan and only has WhatsApp texting left.
EDIT: I'd suggest you both use Zoom. So far it's the most stable way to talk to someone I've found. WhatsApp can have poor quality even when both parties are in the same country. Oh, and make sure you both are on WiFi!
I use video calls on What’sApp with my friend in Mexico just fine, and its audio and video are even better than Skype most of the times.
Several Arab countries stopped the calling service on What’sApp (audio and video) but texting still works. So no matter how many times you try to call someone there via What’sApp, it won’t work.
If you are sure your country still allows audio and video calls via WhatsApp and Mexico seems ok with it, then be sure that you and your friend are connected to wi fi and there is a good signal when making a call. Mobile data 3G and 4G doesn’t work well for What’sApp calls from my own experience.
