Top 8 Ways to Fix WhatsApp Messages Not Delivered on iOS & Android

by Anna Sherry   Updated on 2022-07-07 / Update for  WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps these days. You can live without Instagram or Facebook but having to maneuver through your life without WhatsApp seems impossible. Keeping this in mind, the creators of WhatsApp have kept the app mostly bug free but every now and then one can get into some troubles like WhatsApp message sent but not delivered.

If your WhatsApp messages are messing up and you are wondering what to do when WhatsApp messages are not delivered properly - then here are eight ways to help fix whatsapp messages not delivered issue.

Part 1:Why Are My WhatsApp Messages Not Delivering

If you are biting your nails thinking about why my WhatsApp messages are not delivering, here are some of the reasons why your messages are not delivering on WhatsApp.

  • Reason 1: Network connection issue
  • One of the most common reasons for WhatsApp messages not delivering is related to your network connection. Sometimes when your Wi-Fi is not up to the mark or your mobile data is not working properly, it can cause an error in sending the messages.

  • Reason 2: The recipient WhatsApp account is offline
  • If your network is working well on your phone and WhatsApp message is sent but not delivered, the chances are that the recipient is offline and he doesn't receive the message you sent. When there is an internet connection on his phone again, the messages will be delivered.

  • Reason 3: Number is blocked
  • Another possible reason for WhatsApp messages not getting delivered can be that your number is blocked by the contact you're messaging. When you're being blocked, any WhatsApp messages you sent to him show single tick and never show a double-tick mark.

  • Reason 4: Error in WhatsApp service
  • Sometimes WhatsApp service can be down and result in failure of delivering WhatsApp messages.

Part 2: 8 Ways to Fix WhatsApp Messages Not Delivered

Undoubtedly "WhatsApp messages not getting delivered" can be an irritating situation when you are in a rush to send an important message. Now that you've know what causes WhatsApp messages not to be delivered, it's time to figure out what to do when WhatsApp messages are not delivered. Here are 8 fixes available to get WhatsApp messages delivered once again.

Way 1: Check the Network Connection

Sometimes something as miscellaneous as your network connection can cause problems in WhatsApp messages not delivered. You can first try disabling and re-enabling your mobile data or reconnecting to a more stable WI-Fi network. If the messages still can't be delivered on WhatsApp, then you should consider resetting your network settings. Here are the simple steps for iPhone and Android devices.

On iPhone:

  • Launch the Settings app and tap on the General option.
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap on "Transfer and Reset iPhone".
  • Tap Reset and then select "Reset Network Settings" from the options.
  • You may be asked to enter your passcode. If asked, enter your iPhone's passcode and tap Reset Network Settings to finish the job.

    reset network settings on iphone to fix whatsapp messages not delivering
  • Once done, all the network-related data stored on your iPhone will be removed and you'll need to setup the cellular or Wi-Fi network on your iPhone once again.

On Android:

  • Go to Settings > General Management (or System) > Reset > Reset network settings.
  • Tap on "Reset settings" to complete the action.
  • Now, set up your Wi-Fi and mobile data connections again.

    reset network settings on android to fix whatsapp messages not delivering

This should solve the connectivity problem related to Wi-Fi or mobile data connections on your device. When the netword issue gets resolved, open WhatsApp and send messages to one person to see if they are getting delivered (double ticks). If the WhatsApp message sent but not delivered (single tick), then jump to the next solution.

Way 2: Restart Your Phone and Reopen WhatsApp

WhatsApp messages not being delivered can be an annoying occurrence that can be caused by a lag in your phone or your mobile application. Therefore, an easy way to fix it is to restart your phone and re-open your WhatsApp application.

To restart an iPhone, simply press and hold the Power button and one of the Volume buttons until a slider appears on-screen. Drag the slider to power off your mobile. After 30 seconds or so, press and hold the Power and Volume buttons until the apple logo appears. For an Android device, press and hold the Volume down and Side button until the power menu appears. Select "Restart" and wait for the device to reboot.

When your device rstarts, open WhatsApp and try to send any messages to a contact online to see it they can be delivered.

Way 3: Update WhatsApp to the Latest Version

If you have an old version of WhatsApp, it can be a reason why your WhatsApp messages not delivered. To fix it, you just need to update your WhatsApp application. Here's how you can do it.

  • Jump onto your App store or Google play store. Go into the update options and check whether your application update is due. If it is, press the update button and wait for the application to get updated.
  • Once the update is complete, open your WhatsApp to check if your messages are getting delivered.

    update whatsapp to fix whatsapp messages not delivered

Way 4: Verify Your Phone Number

A very uncommon reason for WhatsApp messages not getting delivered can be your pending WhatsApp verification. If you have just installed WhatsApp on your phone and you still have not done the verification for your mobile number, it can be a reason why your messages are not going through. Here is how you can verify your phone number.

  • Delete your WhatsApp application from your phone and reinstall WhatsApp on your phone.
  • Launch the application and answer your phone number. Make sure that your number is in working condition.
  • Tap Next to request a WhatsApp code.
  • Once the verification code is sent, enter it and you will be done.

Way 5: Enable Backgroud App Refresh for WhatsApp

Are your WhatsApp messages are not delivering until now? Maybe you should try enabling Background App Refresh (on iPhone) or allow background data usage (on Android) for WhatsApp. Here is how you can do that。.

On iPhone:

  • Navigate to the Setting of your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and search for WhatsApp.
  • Toggle on the option for Backgroud App Refresh to allow WhatsApp to run in the background.

    enable background app refresh for whatsapp to fix whatsapp messages not delivered

On Android:

  • Press and hold the WhatsApp icon until more options appear.
  • Tap on App info to open the Mobile data & Wi-Fi menu.
  • Toggle on the swith for Background data.
  • Also, ensure background data is not restricted for WhatsApp.

    allow background data usgae to fix whatsapp messages not delivered

Way 6: Check Whether You're Blocked

Does the WhatsApp messages not delivered issue happens only with a particular recipient? If your WhatsApp messages are not delivered to one person - chances are that you are blocked by the person you are trying to contact. Due to this reason, you can face WhatsApp message sent but not delivered. Here's how to check whether you are blocked by someone on WhatsApp.

  • Check the contact's Last Seen status. By default, you should see the last time your contacts used WhatsApp. If you don't see his Last Seen status, you may have been blocked.
  • Check if you can see the contact's updated profile picture. If someone blocks you and then changes their profile picture, you'll always see whatever the picture was when you got blocked.
  • Check if there is a single tickmark for every message you sent to the contact. If yes, then the possibility is you have been blocked.
  • Try to place a call to the contact. If your call won't go through, then you may be blocked.
  • Try to add the contact to a group to see if the message "you are not authorised to add this contacts" appears, that's the surest sign that you were blocked.

When you're confirmed that you've been blocked to the contact, then there is no way for your WhatsApp message to be delivered unless his remove you from his blocklist.

Way 7: Disable Low Power Mode/Data Saver

If your WhatsApp application is on Low Power mode or Data Saver mode, it can cause WhatsApp messages not to be delivered. You need to disable low power mode to fix this issue. Follow these steps to get the job done!

On iPhone: Go to Settings > Battery and toggle off the switch for "Lower Power Mode".

disable lower power mode to fix whatsapp messages not delivered

On Android: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver to turn it off.

disable data saver mode on android to fix whatsapp messages not delivered

Relaunch WhatsApp and check if the WhatsApp messages not delivered issue get resolved.

Way 8: Leave the Beta Program

After trying everything, still you are facing WhatsApp messages not delivering, the problem can be due to the fact that you are using WhatsApp Beta Program. You must switch from this experimental feature WhatsApp to the stable program. Here is how to exit it:

On iPhone:

  • Go to WhatsApp settings and click on linked devices.
  • Press multi-device beta and choose to leave beta testing.

    leave whatsapp beta program on ios to fix whatsapp messages not delivered

On Android:

  • Go to the google play store and look for WhatsApp.
  • Click on the app details and leave beta testing.

    leave whatsapp beta program on android to fix whatsapp messages not delivered
  • Relaunch WhatsApp and check if the WhatsApp messages not delivered issue get resolved.

Bonus Tip: How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Android?

After trying all these methods, there are chances that your WhatsApp messages might get deleted. Here is a fix for that.

Tenorshare UltData for Android is a professional tool that can help you recover your old WhatsApp chats without taking much time. Sounds interesting right? So, if you have deleted some important WhatsApp messages accidentally, it can restore those for you. Here are the steps that you need to follow.

  • Download and install UltData for Android on your PC. Connect your android phone with the PC and then click on "Recover WhatsApp Data" from the options.

    recover deleted whatsapp messages on android-1
  • Now, enable USB debugging on your Android phone by following the step-by-step instructions shown on the program.

    recover deleted whatsapp messages on android-2
  • When your phone gets detected by the application, click "Start". The application will scan the deleted WhatsApp message.

    recover deleted whatsapp messages on android-3
  • You need to log into WhatsApp account in your device. If you have already done, click "Yes, I want to continue" to proceed.

    recover deleted whatsapp messages on android-4
  • When the scan is completed, all your deleted WhatsApp data will appear on the screen. All you need to do is select the items that you want to review and hit on the Recover button in the right bottom.

    recover deleted whatsapp messages on android-5
  • It will take several minutes for the deleted whatsapp messaged to be recovered. You'll see the Success notification once the recovering process is done.

    recover deleted whatsapp messages on android-6

Conclusion

The "Whatsapp messages not delivered" issue can be frustrating sometimes, when you are not expecting this to happen. However, there are many easy ways to fix it - for example, restarting your device or reinstalling your WhatsApp. Moreover, if you want to restore your deleted WhatsApp messages, we highly suggest you try your hands on Tenorshare UltData for Android to get all the lost WhatsApp messages back.