WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Its convenience and features like end-to-end encryption have made it a go-to communication tool for many. However, sometimes WhatsApp users face issues with messages not getting delivered or sent. There can be several reasons for this problem on WhatsApp.
Why do WhatsApp messages fail to send sometimes?
There are a few common reasons why WhatsApp messages may fail to send at times:
- Network connectivity issues – Poor internet connection or network problems can prevent WhatsApp messages from sending. This is one of the most common reasons.
- Service outages – WhatsApp servers going down temporarily can also lead to messages not sending.
- Phone software issues – Glitches in your phone’s OS or WhatsApp version may cause send failures.
- Restricted by recipient – If the recipient has blocked you or restricted your ability to message, sends may fail.
- Account suspension – If your WhatsApp account is banned or under suspension, you cannot send messages.
- Exceeding limits – WhatsApp limits sending bulk messages, so trying to send too many texts together may fail.
- File size limits – Media attachments exceeding WhatsApp’s file size limits will not get delivered.
- Incorrect contact info – Wrong or outdated contacts cause messages to not reach recipients.
In most cases, the issues are temporary, like network disruptions or software glitches. Persistent problems could point to a larger underlying issue though.
How do I know if my WhatsApp message failed to send?
There are a few telltale signs that can indicate your WhatsApp message did not go through:
- Single tick – Messages that only show a single grey tick have not been sent from your device yet.
- Clock icon – A clock icon next to a message means it is still sending.
- Exclamation mark – An exclamation icon indicates the send failed and WhatsApp will retry.
- Red exclamation bubble – Messages with a red exclamation instead of green bubble failed permanently.
- “Not sent” status – The “Not sent” text under a message confirms send failure.
If you see any of these indicators, it means your recipient has not received your WhatsApp message due to a failed send. The app provides these visual cues to alert you of delivery issues.
Why do my WhatsApp messages get stuck on “Sending”?
One common occurrence is WhatsApp messages getting stuck with a clock icon and “Sending” status for a long time. There are some potential reasons behind this:
- Poor internet connection – Slow or unstable networks often lead to indefinite sending.
- Large files – Big media attachments take longer to process and send.
- Service delays – Server lags at WhatsApp’s end can also get messages stuck.
- Recipient offline – If the recipient device is offline, the send will be pending.
- Banned by recipient – You may be blocked or restricted by the recipient.
- Suspended account – If your account was banned, messages won’t send.
Typically, messages get unstuck once the underlying issue is resolved, like connectivity improving or recipient coming online. For consistent stuck messages, re-installing WhatsApp or contacting support may help.
How to troubleshoot and fix WhatsApp messages not sending
If your WhatsApp messages are failing to send, here are some troubleshooting tips to identify and resolve the problem:
- Check your internet connection – Restart phone, connect to wi-fi or mobile data to rule out any connectivity issues.
- Update WhatsApp – Install latest version of app in case it’s a software bug.
- Reboot your phone – Turn phone off and on again to clear any glitches.
- Check WhatsApp service status – Confirm WhatsApp servers are not down for maintenance.
- Check recipient’s status – Verify the contact has not blocked you on WhatsApp.
- Clear app cache/data – Clearing WhatsApp cache and data can fix inconsistent issues.
- Try alternate networks – Attempt sending messages via mobile data or wi-fi to check if a specific connection has problems.
- Contact WhatsApp support – If all else fails, contact WhatsApp directly for troubleshooting.
Following these steps methodically can uncover the reason for send failures and get WhatsApp messaging working properly again in most cases.
Tips to prevent WhatsApp message sending issues
You can avoid frequently facing problems with sending WhatsApp messages by following these handy tips:
- Always check for stable internet connectivity on phone before sending time-sensitive messages.
- Keep your WhatsApp version up-to-date to have latest bug fixes and features.
- Be mindful of WhatsApp’s file size and bulk messaging limits.
- Double check recipient’s contact details before sending important messages.
- Turn on WhatsApp message delivery notifications to promptly know if a send fails.
- Have alternate contacts like email or phone number for undelivered message follow-up.
- Manage your phone’s storage and RAM to prevent performance issues causing sending failures.
Proactively following these best practices can significantly reduce instances of WhatsApp messages not reaching intended recipients due to send issues.
What happens when a WhatsApp message fails to send?
When a WhatsApp message send fails, here is what happens:
- Message remains on your device – The unsent message stays in your WhatsApp chat with error icon visible.
- Automatic re-attempting – WhatsApp tries resending for a few days before permanent failure.
- Notification of failure – You get notified of send failure through icons and statuses.
- Recipient does not receive – Failed messages do not get delivered to the recipient’s device.
- Stored on WhatsApp servers – Unsent messages may still be stored encrypted on WhatsApp servers.
Even though message transfer fails, the content usually remains available on your device for resending later. WhatsApp maintains encrypted copies on its servers too. But the recipient cannot view messages unless sending succeeds.
Does WhatsApp notify you if a message is not delivered?
Yes, WhatsApp provides notification indicators when a message fails to send or get delivered. These include:
- Single tick – Shows message not sent from your device yet.
- Clock icon – Indicates the message is still sending.
- Exclamation icon – Means send failed and WhatsApp is retrying.
- Red exclamation bubble – Confirms message sending failed permanently.
- “Not sent” status – Explicitly states the message was not sent.
If enabled in settings, you also get pop-up notifications when a message fails to send directly. WhatsApp created these indicators to provide send failure alerts to users.
What happens when someone blocks you on WhatsApp?
If someone blocks you on WhatsApp, it affects messaging as follows:
- Messages will not send – Any messages you send to the contact will not go through.
- Calls get declined – Voice and video calls made to the contact will not connect.
- Status updates hidden – You will not be able to view the contact’s WhatsApp status updates.
- Last seen hidden – The last seen timestamp gets hidden from you.
- Profile photo hidden – Contact’s WhatsApp profile photo also gets hidden after blocking.
Essentially, all communication gets cut off after blocking. You will not get any explicit notification of being blocked though. Blocking is intended to prevent further contact on WhatsApp.
What happens when your WhatsApp account is banned?
If your WhatsApp account gets banned, here is what happens:
- Cannot send messages – All outgoing messages will fail to send during a ban.
- May miss incoming messages – New incoming messages can be missed once banned.
- Temporary or permanent – Ban duration depends on policy violation severity.
- Partial or full ban – Only certain functions may be disabled in some cases.
- Notifications – You may get alerts from WhatsApp regarding account suspension.
Banned accounts eventually get restored by verifying your details with WhatsApp again. But all messaging capabilities get disrupted during the ban period.
Should you message or call if WhatsApp messages are not delivering?
If your WhatsApp messages are repeatedly failing to deliver, here are some recommended steps:
- Wait and resend later – The first option is to wait for some time and retry sending the message.
- Use alternate contact mode – Try reaching recipient via call, SMS, email etc if urgent.
- Inform recipient – Notify the contact through another means that your WhatsApp messages are not going through.
- Troubleshoot issue – Methodically diagnose the send failure issue and fix it.
- Follow up persistently – Keep attempting to resend messages until successful.
So you have a few options to complete your communication despite WhatsApp message failures. Sending via alternate means or following up persistently are often effective.
Conclusion
WhatsApp is a widely used messenger, but users do encounter issues like messages not sending properly at times. Reasons range from network problems and software glitches to account restrictions. Identifying why messages have failed to send based on error indicators, and methodically troubleshooting can resolve send issues. Following best practices around connectivity, app updates and file attachments can also reduce frequency of messages not sending successfully. If problems persist, trying alternate contact methods is recommended to complete urgent communication.