WhatsApp Web QR code not loading after clearing browser data (Linux)

Browser Support Web Compatibility
1

Description of the issue:
WhatsApp Web fails to load QR code after clearing browser data. Console shows error: [comms] stopComms called before startComms. Login via phone number also fails. The issue does NOT occur in Chrome.

How can this issue be reproduced?

  1. Clear all browser data (cookies, cache, history)
  2. Go to https://web.whatsapp.com
  3. Attempt to log in via QR Code or phone number
  4. QR Code fails to load indefinitely

Actual result:
QR Code never loads, console error appears

Expected result:
QR Code should load normally

Brave Version:
Version 1.85.111
Chromium: 143.0.7499.40 (64-bit)

Operating System:
Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS (Linux)
Kernel: 6.16.3-76061603-generic x86_64

Additional Information:

  • Does the issue resolve when disabling Brave Shields? No
  • Is the issue reproducible on the latest version of Chrome? No
  • Does disabling hardware acceleration help? Not tested

Console error:

ErrorUtils caught an error: [comms] stopComms called before startComms Subsequent non-fatal errors won’t be logged; see https://fburl.com/debugjs

2

The same applies for me on Brave 1.86.146. Chromium and Firefox are working fine.