- The WhatsApp clock icon explained
- WhatsApp message status icons, from clock to blue ticks
- How to clear a WhatsApp clock that won't go away
- Clock vs one tick on WhatsApp: whose end is the problem?
- When the WhatsApp clock shows on WhatsApp Web or desktop
- Why the WhatsApp clock matters for business messages
- Other WhatsApp sending problems that aren't the clock
- Frequently asked questions
The clock on WhatsApp means your message hasn't been sent yet. It's still on your phone, usually because you're not connected to the internet. Once your Wi-Fi or mobile data comes back, WhatsApp sends it and the clock turns into a tick. A clock doesn't mean you've been blocked.
You hit send, and instead of a tick there's a tiny clock next to your message. It's one of those small things that makes people worry they've been blocked or that WhatsApp's broken. Usually it's neither. The clock is about your side of the conversation, not theirs, and once you know what each icon means you can tell straight away whether the problem is your connection, their phone, or nothing at all. Here's what WhatsApp's help centre says about the clock and the ticks that follow it.
The WhatsApp clock icon explained
WhatsApp's read receipts help page says that seeing a clock means the message is not yet sent or delivered, and that this could be due to connectivity issues. Its separate troubleshooting page is more direct: a clock icon next to your message means your phone isn't connected to the internet. You may also see a Waiting for network message.
In other words, the message is still sitting on your phone, queued up. WhatsApp will send it once your connection comes back, and the clock will turn into a tick.
WhatsApp message status icons, from clock to blue ticks
| Icon | What WhatsApp says it means |
|---|---|
| Clock | Not yet sent or delivered, usually a connection problem on your side |
| One grey tick | Sent: it's left your phone but hasn't reached the recipient's device |
| Two grey ticks | Delivered to the recipient's phone or one of their linked devices |
| Two blue ticks | The recipient has read your message |
In a group chat, WhatsApp says the second tick appears when everyone has received your message, and two blue ticks appear when everyone has read it. Its help page also notes you can't change the colour of the ticks or the clock.
How to clear a WhatsApp clock that won't go away
Because the clock points to your own connection, start there. WhatsApp's troubleshooting page suggests these steps:
- Make sure Wi-Fi or mobile data is turned on and working.
- Open a website in your browser to check you're online.
- If you're on mobile data, move somewhere with a better signal.
- Turn airplane mode on and then off again to reset your connection.
- Restart your phone and try sending the message again.
If you're on Wi-Fi and calls are struggling too, my guide on WhatsApp video calls not working on Wi-Fi covers the router and network checks that help both.
Clock vs one tick on WhatsApp: whose end is the problem?
This is the bit that clears up most of the worry. A clock means the message hasn't left your phone, so the issue is with you. A single tick means it has left your phone, so the issue, if there is one, is at the other end. WhatsApp's help page lists the usual reasons for a stuck single tick:
- Their phone may be off or out of coverage.
- They may have run out of mobile data.
- They may have seen the notification but not opened WhatsApp.
- They may have blocked you.
A clock on its own isn't a sign you've been blocked. If you're wondering about that, I've explained the signs WhatsApp itself lists in how to tell if someone's blocked you on WhatsApp.
When the WhatsApp clock shows on WhatsApp Web or desktop
WhatsApp Web and the desktop app are linked devices, and WhatsApp says they work even when your phone isn't online. If messages seem stuck on your computer, check the computer's own internet connection first, refresh the page or restart the desktop app. WhatsApp's help centre also says linked devices are logged out if you don't use your phone for over 14 days, so open WhatsApp on your phone and relink the computer if it's been signed out.
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Why the WhatsApp clock matters for business messages
If you reply to customers on WhatsApp, a message stuck on a clock is a message they haven't got. It's worth a quick glance before you put the phone down, especially after replying to a new enquiry, confirming a booking or sending directions. If you see a clock, don't send the same message again and again. Fix the connection and let WhatsApp send the queued one, or you'll end up with duplicates when it all comes through at once.
And if you're wondering why a customer's ticks never turn blue even though they're clearly replying, that's usually a privacy setting, which I've covered in my guide to turning off read receipts on WhatsApp.
Other WhatsApp sending problems that aren't the clock
- Text sends but photos don't: WhatsApp suggests checking storage space, using Wi-Fi for large files, and making sure WhatsApp has permission to use your photos and storage.
- Messages arrive but with no alert: that's a notification setting, not a sending problem.
- Missing messages from one chat only: check whether you've blocked that contact or muted or archived the chat.
For the rest of the series, see the WhatsApp Help: 43 Guides to Transfers, Backups, Business and Privacy.
Frequently asked questions
What does the clock mean on a WhatsApp message?
WhatsApp says a clock means the message is not yet sent or delivered, usually because your phone isn't connected to the internet.
Does a clock on WhatsApp mean I've been blocked?
No. A clock is about your own connection. WhatsApp lists blocking as one possible reason for a message stuck on a single tick, not a clock.
Will my WhatsApp message send by itself once I'm back online?
Yes. The message waits on your phone and sends when your connection returns, and the clock changes to a tick.
Can I change the colour of the WhatsApp clock or ticks?
No. WhatsApp's help page says it isn't possible to change the colour of the check marks or clock.
Why is there a clock on a photo or video I've sent?
It hasn't finished sending yet. WhatsApp suggests checking your connection, using Wi-Fi for large files, checking storage space and making sure WhatsApp can access your photos.
