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
- 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.
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.
- Tap WhatsApp’s 3-dot menu, select Settings, and then tap Account
- Select Privacy
- Tap Blocked contacts to see the list of the contacts you blocked.
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.
- Go to Settings → Apps → select WhatsApp
- Tap Storage → tap Clear cache and then Clear data.
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.
On iOS, go to Settings → Battery and turn Low Power Mode off.
There you have seven potential solutions to fix WhatsApp messaging issue on your Android or iOS device.
Michael Hoyt says
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…..
Robin lynn says
Messages delivered and blue ticks appear immediately but person says delay in them actually seeing message due to slow connection. Is this possible
Silungile says
I can’t send or receive massages even status updates I can only see contacts online status . Please help me
France says
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.
France says
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.
Jerry Albury says
My wathapp is not sending or receiving any messages any fix?
Vinnie Mwangi says
Hello, I can send messages through WhatsApp but ain’t receiving any.please help
pritee Thotam says
Still I am not receiving and sending message
Santtesree Murali says
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.
Sawaran Singh says
I can’t receive or send messages .it shows clock sign in a small square. Please help
Sandra says
Can’t send or receive messages o watsup! How do i fix this?
Britthanye says
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.
Hellen says
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..
Mwiz DA says
I can’t receive messages,I can’t view status I have done everything told buh nothing z changing
..please help me urgently
burub says
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.
Precious says
How…I can neither recieve nor send messages…sup
Mitch Bartlett says
All of facebook’s services are down at the moment.
Mitch Bartlett says
All of facebook’s services are down at the moment.
Geetha Rao says
I can’t receive or send messages through WhatsApp please help to make it correct
Claudia Doczi says
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!!!!!
Jena says
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.
Ganesha says
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
Nigel Denning says
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.
Jixy Joseph Campbell says
I have good internet but it’s not sending messages but it’s receiving messages how can I fix it
Juwairiya Umar says
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.
Mirna says
I cant send messages but i can recieve only
Kimberly says
I can receive messages but my messages aren’t sending at all …. all the methods did not work for me
Lynncy says
My issues with delayed messages has been solved. I simply followed the first procedure and… voila! Everything went back to normal
Scott says
There is one group I am part of where I am unable to receive messages. I can send messages in but not receiving ajy
Charlotte says
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.
irene says
hello i cant send or receive messages on whatsup gb pliz help me out and my internet is fine thanks
Thembisile says
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..
Anthony says
Thanks I followed the first instruction for androids and it worked for me
Joseph says
My WhatsApp doesn’t send messages but it only receives them
JUAN says
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
NauNau says
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
Maria Baeza @ TopMobileTech says
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!