Quick Answer
Here are some quick solutions to try if you see the “Waiting for this message” error in WhatsApp:
– Restart your phone – Turn your phone off and back on again. This will refresh the connection and may resolve any temporary issues.
– Update WhatsApp – Go to your app store and check for any available updates for WhatsApp. Installing the latest version can fix bugs.
– Check your internet connection – Make sure you have a stable internet connection on your mobile data or WiFi. Try toggling airplane mode on and off to reset the connection.
– Clear cache and data – In your phone’s app settings, find WhatsApp and clear the cache and app data. This will wipe any corrupt files.
– Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp – As a last resort, uninstall WhatsApp completely and then reinstall a fresh version from the app store.
– Contact WhatsApp support – If none of those steps work, get in touch with WhatsApp directly via email or Twitter to investigate the issue.
What causes the WhatsApp “Waiting for this message” error?
The “Waiting for this message” error typically occurs due to connectivity issues between your phone and WhatsApp’s servers. Here are some potential causes:
Internet connection problems
Issues with your internet connection are the most common trigger for this WhatsApp error. If you have a poor WiFi or mobile data signal, the app can’t send and receive messages properly. Turning airplane mode on and off can force your phone to reconnect and fix temporary glitches.
Outdated WhatsApp version
Like any app, WhatsApp regularly releases new versions with bug fixes and improvements. If you don’t have the latest update installed, that can sometimes lead to problems like waiting for messages. Visit your app store and check for available updates.
Full storage space
If your phone’s storage is completely full, that can interfere with WhatsApp’s ability to function properly. Try freeing up space by removing files, clearing the cache on other apps, or deleting stuff you no longer need.
Time and date incorrect
WhatsApp relies on your phone’s clock to sync messages properly between devices. If your time or date is wrong, it can cause issues. Go into your phone’s settings and make sure the time zone and date are set correctly.
Conflict with other apps
In rare cases, other apps on your phone can conflict with WhatsApp and cause technical issues. For example, security apps intervening in WhatsApp’s connections. Try disabling other apps as a test.
How to fix WhatsApp waiting for this message
If you encounter the spinning loader and “Waiting for this message” in WhatsApp, here are some step-by-step troubleshooting tips:
1. Check your internet connection
First, ensure that you have a stable internet connection on mobile data or WiFi. Open a browser and try loading a website to check. Turn airplane mode on, wait 30 seconds, then disable it again to force a fresh connection.
2. Restart your phone
Restarting your device is a quick way to refresh the mobile connection and often resolves temporary glitches. Power your phone off completely, wait a minute, then power it back on and launch WhatsApp.
3. Update or reinstall WhatsApp
Go to your device’s app store and check for any available updates to WhatsApp. If up-to-date, uninstall WhatsApp completely, reboot your phone, then install WhatsApp again fresh. This wipes any corrupt files.
4. Clear app cache and data
In your phone’s app settings, locate WhatsApp, select Storage, then clear Cache and App Data. This removes stored usage data and forces the app to start fresh. You may need to re-verify your number.
5. Check your phone’s date and time
Go into Settings > System > Date & Time and make sure the options are correct, including the time zone. Incorrect time can disrupt WhatsApp’s syncing. Toggle “Automatic date & time” and “Automatic time zone” on and off.
6. Disable battery optimization
Some phones try to restrict battery usage for apps running in the background. Turn off battery optimization or power saving modes for WhatsApp which can interfere.
7. Try deleting and registering your number again
As a last resort, go to WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Delete My Account to remove your number. Reinstall WhatsApp and re-verify your number again from scratch.
What to do if the problem persists
After trying all of the above troubleshooting steps, if the WhatsApp “Waiting for this message” status continues to appear, here are some additional things to try:
– Try WhatsApp on another device – Does the problem only occur on one of your phones? If WhatsApp works fine when you log in on another phone, the issue is isolated to your original device.
– Contact your cell provider – There could be a disruption to service in your area affecting connectivity. Contact your mobile carrier and ask them to check for outages.
– Factory reset your phone – As a last resort, a full factory reset will wipe your device and give you a clean OS install. Backup data first.
– Contact WhatsApp support – Reach out to the WhatsApp team directly via email or Twitter and explain your persistent connection issue. They may have specialized advice or can investigate.
– Switch to WhatsApp Web – Try using the web version of WhatsApp on your computer’s browser as a temporary workaround while resolving the mobile app problems. Scan the QR code to link.
With some perseverance troubleshooting the different potential causes, the WhatsApp “Waiting for this message” error should disappear. Be sure to report any ongoing unresolved issues directly to WhatsApp support for assistance.
WhatsApp troubleshooting FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about resolving WhatsApp connection issues:
Why does my WhatsApp say connecting?
The “Connecting” message means WhatsApp is having trouble establishing an internet connection to its servers. This is usually due to a poor WiFi or mobile data signal. Try switching between WiFi and mobile data to see if one has a stronger connection.
Why is my WhatsApp not sending messages to one contact?
If your messages won’t send to just one specific contact, first check whether your number is still correctly saved in their phone address book. If so, they may have connectivity issues on their end. Ask them to restart their device or reinstall WhatsApp.
How do I reinstall WhatsApp without losing chats?
To keep your message history intact when reinstalling WhatsApp, first backup your chats to Google Drive in WhatsApp’s Chat Settings. Then after deleting and reinstalling the app, restore your chats from the backup during setup.
Why does WhatsApp say user not found?
The “User not found” error typically means the person you are trying to message no longer has that number saved in their WhatsApp account. Ask them to re-verify their number in their account settings to resolve it.
How do I know if someone blocked me on WhatsApp?
If a contact blocks you on WhatsApp, any messages sent to them will show only one check mark and never get delivered. You won’t receive any notification of being blocked, but you will effectively be unable to contact them.
Conclusion
In summary, the “Waiting for this message” WhatsApp error is generally caused by connection problems between your phone and WhatsApp’s servers. To resolve it, first ensure you have a strong internet signal and restart your device. Also update WhatsApp to the latest version, reinstall it if necessary, and clear the app cache and data. Check your phone’s time settings as well. If issues continue, contact WhatsApp support for help diagnosing any underlying device-specific issues. With some dedicated troubleshooting, you should be able to get WhatsApp working normally again.