How to Fix WhatsApp Not Delivering Messages: Complete Guide

No reply.
No second tick.
Just silence.

This happened to me during an important conversation. I sent a message, waited a few minutes, refreshed WhatsApp again and again, but the message was still not delivered. At first, I thought the other person was ignoring me. Later, I realized the problem was actually on my side.

When WhatsApp messages are not delivering, it can feel confusing and stressful. Especially when you don’t know if the issue is your internet, the app, or the other person’s phone. The good news is that most of the time, this problem is easy to fix.

Let’s break it down slowly, in a simple and real way.

Common Reasons Why WhatsApp Messages Aren't Delivering

There are several reasons why your messages might be stuck in limbo. Let's explore the most frequent culprits.

Internet Connection Problems

WhatsApp only works when your internet is working properly. If your connection is weak or keeps dropping, messages won’t send or receive.

• Wi-Fi is turned off or unstable: Check if your Wi-Fi signal is strong. Try opening another app or website to confirm internet is actually working.
• Mobile data is disabled or limited: Make sure mobile data is on and your data balance hasn’t finished.
• Airplane mode is on: Sometimes it turns on by mistake. Airplane mode cuts off all network connections instantly.

Issues on the Recipient’s Phone

Sometimes the problem is not on your phone at all.

• Their phone is switched off: If the recipient’s phone is powered off, WhatsApp cannot deliver your message.
• No internet on their side: Just like you, they also need an active internet connection.
• You may be blocked: If someone blocks you on WhatsApp, your messages will stay on one grey tick and will never be delivered.
• Outdated WhatsApp version: If the other person is using a very old version of WhatsApp, it can cause delivery issues.

WhatsApp App or Phone Settings Issues

Certain settings on your phone can silently block WhatsApp.

• Old WhatsApp version: Using an outdated app can cause bugs and message delivery problems. Always keep WhatsApp updated.
• Battery saver or data saver mode: These modes limit background activity and may stop WhatsApp from syncing messages.
• Wrong date and time settings: WhatsApp needs correct date and time to work properly. Incorrect settings can cause sync errors.
• Phone storage is full: When storage is full, WhatsApp may fail to send or receive messages smoothly.
• WhatsApp server problems: This is rare, but sometimes WhatsApp servers go down. When this happens, messages won’t deliver for anyone and usually fix themselves quickly.

How to Fix WhatsApp Not Delivering Messages: Step by Step Solutions

1. Check Your Internet Connection First

Open Chrome or any browser.
Try opening a website.

If it doesn’t load, WhatsApp won’t work either.

Switch between:
• WiFi
• Mobile data

Turn airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then turn it off.

This refreshes your network connection.

2. Restart Your Phone

It sounds basic, but it works.

Restarting clears temporary network glitches and background issues.

I’ve fixed WhatsApp delivery problems many times with just a restart.

3. Check WhatsApp Background Permissions

This step is very important.

Go to Settings
Apps
WhatsApp
Battery

Set battery usage to Unrestricted or Allow background activity

Also check:
Settings
Apps
WhatsApp
Data usage
Allow background data

After this, WhatsApp becomes more reliable.

4. Disable Data Saver Mode

Data saver can block background apps.

Go to Settings
Network
Data Saver

Turn it off and test WhatsApp again.

5. Update WhatsApp App

Old versions can cause message delivery issues.

Open Play Store or App Store
Search WhatsApp
Update if available

I once faced delivery issues for two days because my app was outdated.

6. Clear WhatsApp Cache (Android Only)

This is safe and effective.

Go to Settings
Apps
WhatsApp
Storage
Clear Cache

Do NOT clear data unless you want to log out.

Cache buildup can slow down message syncing.

7. Check Date and Time Settings

Wrong date and time can break WhatsApp sync.

Go to Settings
Date & Time
Enable automatic date and time

This small setting fixes many hidden issues.

8. Check If WhatsApp Is Down

Sometimes the issue is global.

Search online or check social media to see if WhatsApp is facing outages.

If servers are down, all you can do is wait.

Why Messages Deliver Late Sometimes

Late delivery doesn’t always mean a problem.

Possible reasons:
• Weak internet signal
• Power saving mode
• Background restrictions
• Phone sleeping aggressively

Once I removed battery optimization for WhatsApp, late messages stopped completely.

Conclusion

When WhatsApp messages are not delivering, the issue is usually related to internet connection, background restrictions, battery optimization, or outdated app versions. By checking your network, allowing WhatsApp to run freely in the background, disabling data saver, and keeping the app updated, you can fix most delivery problems easily. Small setting changes often make a big difference.

FAQs

Why are my WhatsApp messages stuck on one tick?
One tick means the message was sent but not delivered. The recipient may be offline, or your internet connection may be unstable.

Can battery saver affect WhatsApp message delivery?
Yes. Battery saver can restrict background activity, causing delayed or undelivered messages.

Does clearing cache delete WhatsApp chats?

No. Clearing cache does not delete chats. It only removes temporary files.

How do I know if someone blocked me on WhatsApp?
If messages stay on one tick, profile picture disappears, and you can’t see last seen, you may be blocked.