- What the WhatsApp clock, one tick and two ticks tell you
- Fixing a WhatsApp message stuck on the clock
- Why a WhatsApp message shows one tick and isn't delivered
- Checking a WhatsApp group message that isn't showing two ticks
- When the WhatsApp message is delivered but the blue ticks are missing
- Fixing WhatsApp messages not delivered on WhatsApp Web or Desktop
- General fixes when a WhatsApp message is not delivered
- Keeping important WhatsApp messages from getting stuck
- Frequently asked questions
If a WhatsApp message is not delivered, check the icon beside it: a clock means your phone has no working connection, and one tick means it left your phone but hasn't reached theirs, often because their phone is off or offline. Check your connection first, then restart your phone and update the app.
Few things are more irritating than sending an important message to a client and watching it sit there. I've had that sinking feeling over a booking confirmation, so I know why people search for this one.
WhatsApp's help pages are quite specific about what each icon means and what to try. I've put them in the order the help centre gives them, quick checks first, and I've kept to what WhatsApp says rather than guessing at causes.
What the WhatsApp clock, one tick and two ticks tell you
The icon next to a message is your best clue, because each one points to a different place where the message has stopped.
| What you see | What WhatsApp says it means |
|---|---|
| A clock | The message is not yet sent or delivered, which could be due to connectivity issues on your phone. |
| One grey tick | The message left your phone but hasn't reached the recipient's device. |
| Two grey ticks | The message was delivered to the recipient's phone or any of their linked devices. |
| Two blue ticks | The recipient has read the message. |
WhatsApp also notes that you can't change the colour of the ticks or the clock. If you tap and hold a message and open Message info, you'll see when it was delivered, read or played.
Fixing a WhatsApp message stuck on the clock
A clock, or a Waiting for network note, means your own phone isn't connected. WhatsApp needs an active internet connection to send and receive. Its help page lists these checks.
- Make sure Wi-Fi or mobile data is turned on and working.
- Open a website in your browser to confirm your connection works.
- If you're on mobile data, move somewhere with better signal.
- Turn airplane mode on and off to reset the connection.
- Restart your phone and try sending again.
That fixes most clock problems, because the message hasn't left your phone yet. Once you're back online, WhatsApp sends it.
Why a WhatsApp message shows one tick and isn't delivered
One tick is a different problem. The message has left your phone, so your connection did its job. It just hasn't arrived on the other person's device. WhatsApp's help page names these reasons for a tick that stays single for a long time.
- The recipient's phone may be turned off or out of coverage.
- The recipient may have run out of mobile data.
- The recipient may have seen the notification but not opened WhatsApp.
- The recipient may have blocked you, in which case your calls to that contact won't connect either.
Most of those are about the other person's phone, so you can't fix them from your side. A blocked contact is only one item on that list. WhatsApp also says the second tick won't appear if their phone is off and the message hasn't reached any of their linked devices, so a single tick for a day doesn't prove anything on its own. If you'd like the full picture on that last point, my piece on the real signs someone has blocked you goes through what's reliable and what isn't.
Checking a WhatsApp group message that isn't showing two ticks
Groups work a little differently. WhatsApp says that in a group chat the second tick appears when everyone has received your message, and two blue ticks appear when everyone has read it. So one member with their phone switched off can hold back the second tick for the whole group. Open Message info on the message to see who has received it and who hasn't.
If you can't send in a group at all, look for a notice at the bottom saying only admins can send messages, or one saying you can't send messages to this group because you've been removed. Those are permission or membership issues, not delivery issues, and the admin is the person to ask.
When the WhatsApp message is delivered but the blue ticks are missing
Two grey ticks mean delivered, but not read. If the ticks never turn blue, WhatsApp says you or your recipient might have turned off read receipts in the privacy settings. That's a privacy choice, not a fault. I've explained the setting in my guide to turning off read receipts on WhatsApp.
Fixing WhatsApp messages not delivered on WhatsApp Web or Desktop
WhatsApp Web and Desktop are linked devices. They keep working when your phone is offline, but WhatsApp says linked devices are logged out if you don't use your phone for over 14 days. If messages arrive on your phone but not on your computer, try these.
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- Open WhatsApp on your phone to confirm the account is active, then link the computer again if it was logged out.
- Refresh the page or restart the Desktop app.
- Check your browser is allowed to show notifications for WhatsApp, which matters if messages appear but you get no alert.
You might also see Waiting for this message. Check your phone. on a linked device. WhatsApp says that can happen because of end-to-end encryption, especially if you or the other person recently reinstalled WhatsApp or is on an older version. Check your phone for the message, ask the other person to open WhatsApp, and make sure you're both on the latest version.
General fixes when a WhatsApp message is not delivered
If none of the above fits, WhatsApp's help page ends with a general list.
- Restart your phone.
- Update WhatsApp from your app store.
- Check the date and time on your phone are correct.
- Make sure you've finished verifying your phone number.
- Clear WhatsApp's cache.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, but back up your chats first.
If only photos, videos or documents fail while text messages go through, WhatsApp points to storage space, a weak connection on mobile data, and permissions. Try Wi-Fi for big files, check that WhatsApp is allowed to reach your photos and storage, and send a smaller file to test.
Keeping important WhatsApp messages from getting stuck
If you use WhatsApp for client work, don't rely on a single message for anything time-sensitive. A short follow-up by email takes seconds, and it protects you when someone's phone is off. WhatsApp's own help centre is the place to check anything specific to your phone. For wider help, my WhatsApp help guide collects the topics I cover most.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my WhatsApp message not delivered?
WhatsApp's help pages say a clock means your phone isn't connected, while a single tick means the message left your phone but hasn't reached the other person's device, for example because their phone is off or offline.
What does one tick mean on WhatsApp?
One tick means the message was sent from your phone. It hasn't yet been delivered to the recipient's device. Two ticks mean it was delivered, and two blue ticks mean it was read.
Does one tick mean someone has blocked me on WhatsApp?
Not necessarily. Blocking is one of several reasons WhatsApp lists. The recipient's phone may be off, offline or out of data, or they may not have opened WhatsApp yet.
Why do my WhatsApp messages show a clock?
A clock means the message hasn't been sent, usually because of connectivity issues. Check Wi-Fi or mobile data, toggle airplane mode and restart your phone.
Why is my group message not showing two ticks?
In a group, the second tick appears when everyone has received your message, so one person who is offline can delay it. Use Message info to see who has received it.
What if messages arrive on my phone but not on WhatsApp Web?
Open WhatsApp on your phone to check the account is active, relink the computer if it was logged out, refresh the page and check your browser's notification settings.
