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Fix Whatsapp Not Sending/Receiving Messages

Fix Whatsapp Not Sending/Receiving Messages

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Madalina Dinita 45 Comments

WhatsApp is an excellent platform for sending and receiving messages using your phone’s Internet connection. If your contacts are unavailable for a quick phone call, they definitely have a few seconds to read and reply to your WhatsApp messages.

But sometimes, WhatsApp may fail to send your messages. Or you may not receive the messages that your contacts sent to you. Either way, that’s a really annoying issue, especially if it occurs quite frequently.

WhatsApp Won’t Receive or Send Messages

⇒ Quick tip: If WhatsApp is not working properly and you can’t send or receive messages, this could be a server issue. Check the service status to see if WhatsApp is down.

If there are no known issues affecting WhatsApp’s servers, maybe the issue is on your end and you need to pursue further troubleshooting steps.

1. Check your Internet connection

Since WhatsApp relies on your cellular data or wireless connection to send and receive messages, the first thing you should do is ensure your connection is stable. A bad Internet connection may delay your messages.

How to check your network connection:

  • Restart your Wi-Fi router
  • Update your router firmware if there’s a newer version available
  • If you’re using  a managed Wi-Fi network, contact the IT admin to check if the network has been configured to block or limit connections
  • Disable your proxy or VPN services.

Here’s what you can do to troubleshoot your phone Internet connection on Android and iOS.

Check your Internet settings

  • On Android, go to Settings → Network & internet (or Mobile Network):
    • Enable and then disable Airplane mode
    • Select Data usage → turn Mobile data on
    • Go to Wi-Fi → turn Wi-Fi off and on

mobile network settings android

  • Return to Settings → go to Apps & notifications → WhatsApp → Data usage → enable Background data
  • Contact your mobile provider and check if your APN settings are configured properly.

If you’re using an iPhone, do the following:

  • Go to your iPhone’s Settings and:
    • Enable and disable Airplane Mode
    • Select Cellular and turn Cellular Data on
    • Tap Wi-Fi and turn the Wi-Fi connection off and on.
  • Go back to Settings → General → Reset → select Reset Network Settings to delete your wireless passwords
  • If you’re using a pre-paid SIM card, check your APN settings and contact your mobile carrier for more information
  • Check if the network you’re on is set up to block or limit connections, especially if it’s an office or university campus network.

2. Update Android/iOS and WhatsApp

Make sure you’re running the latest WhatsApp version on your phone.

Open the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store, search for WhatsApp and if there’s an Update button next to the app, tap it to install the latest updates.

update whatsapp android

Also, don’t forget to check for updates for your Android or iOS version.

3. Check blocked contacts

Check if your contacts have blocked you or you accidentally blocked the contact you’re trying to message.

  1. Tap WhatsApp’s 3-dot menu, select Settings, and then tap Account
  2. Select Privacyandroid account privacy settings
  3. Tap Blocked contacts to see the list of the contacts you blocked.whatsapp privacy settings

If the person you’re trying to message has blocked your number, WhatsApp won’t be able to deliver your messages to them.

4. Complete the initial verification process

If this issue is affecting a new phone number or device, you need to verify your number first in order to access and use all the WhatsApp features.

You’ll receive a 6-digit verification code via SMS that you need to enter on the app’s verification screen. You won’t be able to send or receive messages until you have verified your number or device.

5. Check the phone number format

Double-check the number of the contact you’re trying to message, especially if it’s an international phone number. If you haven’t saved the number correctly, you won’t be able to message them.

How to add phone numbers correctly on WhatsApp:

  • For local phone numbers, use the same number format as if you were making a normal phone call
  • For international numbers, enter the plus sign (+), add the country code, and then add the full phone number
  • Delete special calling codes
  • For phone numbers in Argentina, add a 9 between the country code (54) and the area code. Make sure the number has 13 digits and remove the 15 prefix.
  • For phone numbers in Mexico, add 1 after the country code (52).

Restart your phone and check if the issue has been solved.

6. Clear the cache

If you often use WhatsApp to send messages and media files, the app’s cache might limit or block certain features. You can delete temporary WhatsApp files by clearing the cache.

  1. Go to Settings → Apps → select WhatsApp
  2. Tap Storage → tap Clear cache and then Clear data.whatsapp clear cache

7. Disable Power Saving mode

While this mode allows you to extend you battery life by limiting the number of processes running in the background, it can also block certain apps or app features that are draining your battery.

On Android, go to Settings → Battery → disable Power Saving Mode and check if WhatsApp is working properly now.battery settings android

On iOS, go to Settings → Battery and turn Low Power Mode off.

ios disable low power mode

There you have seven potential solutions to fix WhatsApp messaging issue on your Android or iOS device.

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Filed Under: Android, iOS Tagged With: WhatsApp

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mohamed says

    May 27, 2022 at 10:38 am

    thanks boss , this paragraph helped me.
    “Disable Power Saving mode””

  2. Blessing says

    May 19, 2022 at 9:35 am

    I can’t receive messages and also view status. But I can send messages and receive calls, I can also send voice notes. My internet connection is intact, no contact is blocked.
    My Facebook, mail and others are working. Please help me.

  3. Blessing says

    May 19, 2022 at 9:33 am

    I can’t receive messages and also view status. But I can send messages, receive calls and send voice notes. My internet connection is intact, no contact is blocked.
    My Facebook, mail and others are working. I need help please.

  4. lukito widjaja says

    May 6, 2022 at 12:44 am

    hi, my internet is ok.
    I have a problem that one wag can send but not receiving message.But other wags are running well in sending n receiving messages.. Please let me know how to fixing this. Ta

  5. Frank says

    March 14, 2022 at 6:32 pm

    I can’t receive messages and also view status. My internet connection is intact, no contact is blocked.

  6. Ovie Favour says

    February 2, 2022 at 10:31 am

    I can’t send messages through WhatsApp and my internet is working please help me

  7. Janah Mukumbiri says

    January 20, 2022 at 6:32 am

    I can’t sent and receive what’s app messages since 11 24 am today but my internet is on , Facebook, Twitter and IG is working properlywhat can I do

  8. Victoria says

    January 15, 2022 at 3:24 am

    I’ve not been able to post on my WhatsApp status,messages takes time before it delivers and I can’t receive messages

  9. Michael Hoyt says

    January 10, 2022 at 1:22 am

    First things first….
    I’m sorry for putting all of you threw this…it’d really mean allot to know I’m not hated for a stupid mindless mistake…it’s not who I am…it would mean so much if there was something I could do to show my true nature…not a crazzed person that is out of control….I’m really trying to make a difference if you will let me..
    Just let me know…..

  10. Robin lynn says

    December 22, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    Messages delivered and blue ticks appear immediately but person says delay in them actually seeing message due to slow connection. Is this possible

  11. Silungile says

    December 21, 2021 at 11:25 am

    I can’t send or receive massages even status updates I can only see contacts online status . Please help me

  12. France says

    December 3, 2021 at 1:39 pm

    I read through the web and got no solutions. I am using yo-whatsapp.

    I had ticked ‘hide blue tick’, ‘hide second tick’, ‘hide blue microphone’, hide typing’ and ‘hide recording’.
    FMMODS > PRIVACY AND SECURITY > (green heading CHaTS)CONTACTS/GROUPS/BROADCASTS (change privacy settings under the headings mentioned).
    I did not receive messages, group messages, and status for 2 days.
    I unchecked those options and received messages immediately.

    The warning suggests that ”hide second tick’, and ‘hide blue microphone’, could have been the problem.

  13. France says

    December 3, 2021 at 1:31 pm

    I read through the web and got no solutions.

    I had ticked ‘hide blue tick’, ‘hide second tick’, ‘hide blue microphone’, hide typing’ and ‘hide recording’.
    I did not receive messages for 2 days.
    I unchecked those options and received messages immediately.

    Warning suggests that ”hide second tick’, and ‘hide blue microphone’, could have been the problem.

  14. Jerry Albury says

    December 1, 2021 at 6:46 am

    My wathapp is not sending or receiving any messages any fix?

  15. Vinnie Mwangi says

    November 26, 2021 at 11:11 pm

    Hello, I can send messages through WhatsApp but ain’t receiving any.please help

  16. pritee Thotam says

    October 5, 2021 at 12:10 pm

    Still I am not receiving and sending message

  17. Santtesree Murali says

    October 4, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    I can’t send any messages through WhatsApp and even ig too eventhough my mobile data was on… It’s totally disappointing the app users.

  18. Sawaran Singh says

    October 4, 2021 at 5:01 pm

    I can’t receive or send messages .it shows clock sign in a small square. Please help

  19. Sandra says

    October 4, 2021 at 3:57 pm

    Can’t send or receive messages o watsup! How do i fix this?

  20. Britthanye says

    October 4, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    My internet is working fine. But every time I open Whats App no messages coming in I missed a very important day in class cause of this. When I try to send a message there is the little square clock. . i have been waiting hours for it to say the message is sent to the people …… This cant continue any longer kmt…… PLEASE HELP.

  21. Hellen says

    October 4, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    I can’t send and receive messages from what’sapp,, it’s almost 7 hours now! Please help to make it correct and Thanks for your quickiest reply..

  22. Mwiz DA says

    October 4, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    I can’t receive messages,I can’t view status I have done everything told buh nothing z changing
    ..please help me urgently

  23. burub says

    October 4, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    All these moronic comments demanding someone fix their WhatsApp. This is a page explaining some helpful tips to fix issues with WhatsApp, it has nothing to do with the company that owns the app! How dumb can you be? Go call Facebook support, you pumpkins.

  24. Precious says

    October 4, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    How…I can neither recieve nor send messages…sup

  25. Mitch Bartlett says

    October 4, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    All of facebook’s services are down at the moment.

  26. Mitch Bartlett says

    October 4, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    All of facebook’s services are down at the moment.

  27. Geetha Rao says

    October 4, 2021 at 11:57 am

    I can’t receive or send messages through WhatsApp please help to make it correct

  28. Claudia Doczi says

    October 4, 2021 at 11:53 am

    I can’t send or receive massages and calls from the app. My internet is open. I have this problem started 4hours ago. Make it right!!!!!

  29. Jena says

    October 4, 2021 at 10:55 am

    My internet is working fine. But every time I open WhatsApp there is the loading sign at the top. When I try to send a message there is the little square clock. I tried all the methods and even tried using 4G. PLEASE HELP.

  30. Ganesha says

    September 8, 2021 at 2:32 am

    Hello sir my mobile internet is on but iam not reviving any message or call anles iam in online
    Iam in online no problem massage call is coming

  31. Nigel Denning says

    September 2, 2021 at 3:41 pm

    WhatsApp is full of bugs, and after you change your number, many of your contacts will never be contactable again. There is no remedy at present. NEVER USE THE CHANGE NUMBER FEATURE, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

  32. Jixy Joseph Campbell says

    July 23, 2021 at 2:20 pm

    I have good internet but it’s not sending messages but it’s receiving messages how can I fix it

  33. Juwairiya Umar says

    July 13, 2021 at 6:11 am

    Unable to deliver messages to a user who I know has a stable internet connection and has messaged me on another social media platform since , however the whatsapp messages refuse to be delivered , shows only a single white tick , not double white tick.

  34. Mirna says

    June 29, 2021 at 6:08 am

    I cant send messages but i can recieve only

  35. Kimberly says

    June 13, 2021 at 12:32 am

    I can receive messages but my messages aren’t sending at all …. all the methods did not work for me

  36. Lynncy says

    April 22, 2021 at 1:20 am

    My issues with delayed messages has been solved. I simply followed the first procedure and… voila! Everything went back to normal

  37. Scott says

    April 21, 2021 at 5:53 pm

    There is one group I am part of where I am unable to receive messages. I can send messages in but not receiving ajy

  38. Charlotte says

    April 17, 2021 at 7:35 pm

    There’s this one particular person. He can message me, but when I message him, it will only have a grey tick and he never receives the message. It’s only for him too. I don’t have a problem messaging group chats and other people.

  39. irene says

    April 15, 2021 at 1:53 am

    hello i cant send or receive messages on whatsup gb pliz help me out and my internet is fine thanks

  40. Thembisile says

    April 1, 2021 at 11:51 pm

    My internet is on but am unable to send messages on my gb WhatsApp but I can receive messages only help me what’s the problem..

  41. Anthony says

    March 9, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    Thanks I followed the first instruction for androids and it worked for me

  42. Joseph says

    March 4, 2021 at 2:17 am

    My WhatsApp doesn’t send messages but it only receives them

  43. JUAN says

    February 21, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    my problem is that when i send message it have a checklist on it but the people on the group just couldn’t see my message

    Me To

  44. NauNau says

    February 1, 2021 at 8:41 pm

    my problem is that when i send message it have a checklist on it but the people on the group just couldn’t see my message

  45. Maria Baeza @ TopMobileTech says

    October 29, 2020 at 8:03 am

    I couldn’t send any message from WhatsApp then after read this blog i update the WhatsApp app and it’s workable method for me. It’s very nice explanation with all images. Anybody can easily understand it. Thanks for sharing this information!

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