iOS · WhatsApp on iPhone or Android

Fix WhatsApp Not Sending or Receiving Messages

Source-checked 2 September 2026About 10 minutes

Answer

Start with the symbol beside the message. A clock means it has not reached WhatsApp, one gray check means WhatsApp received it but the other phone has not, and two gray checks mean it was delivered. Test the internet, turn Airplane Mode off, restart WhatsApp and the phone, then update the app. If only one chat fails, check that contact instead of changing the whole phone.

Before you continue

Read the symbolA clock and one check point to different stages.
Test the connectionOpen a website and switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
Narrow the problemCheck whether all chats, one chat, or only media is affected.

Open WhatsApp's connection checks

Read the message symbol

A clock means the message is waiting on your phone. One gray check means it reached WhatsApp but not the recipient's phone. Two gray checks mean it was delivered.

Test the phone's internet

Open a current website in the browser. Turn Airplane Mode off, then switch once between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see whether one connection works.

Open WhatsApp's connection checks

Restart WhatsApp and the phone

Close WhatsApp completely, reopen it, and send one short test message. If it still shows a clock, restart the phone.

Check whether the problem is limited

Send a short message to another trusted contact. If only one person is affected, their phone may be offline, their number may have changed, or the chat relationship may have changed.

Check media permissions and storage

If text works but photos or videos fail, check free storage, Photos or Files permission, and the file size. Try one smaller file.

Update before reinstalling

Install the current WhatsApp update and set the phone's date and time automatically. Back up important chats before reinstalling, and reinstall only if the official checks still fail.

If it does not work

If messages fail only in a group, an administrator may have limited who can send, or you may no longer be a member.
If one gray check remains for one contact, do not repeatedly reinstall WhatsApp; delivery also depends on the recipient's phone and account.
If WhatsApp asks to verify the phone number again, use the correct full number and official verification process. Never share the verification code with another person.

Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on 2 September 2026. Scope: WhatsApp on iPhone or Android.

The written steps follow the current official pages linked below. The saved video is an older walkthrough and may show different labels.