There can be several reasons why someone may not be showing as online on WhatsApp even when they are actively using the app. Here are some common causes and solutions for this issue:
They have disabled read receipts
The most likely explanation is that the user has disabled read receipts in their WhatsApp settings. This prevents the two check marks from showing up when they read your messages, and also stops the “Online” status from updating.
To disable read receipts on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Privacy
- Turn off ‘Read Receipts’
When this setting is disabled, you won’t be able to see the last time the user was online or if they have read your messages. The tradeoff is that it also prevents others from knowing if you’ve read their messages.
They are using WhatsApp Web
If someone is using WhatsApp Web on their computer with the paired mobile app closed, their online status will not update on your end. This is because WhatsApp Web relies on the mobile app to transmit the online status.
So if the user has WhatsApp Web open on their computer but has closed the app on their phone, you won’t see their online status change. Their profile picture also won’t update to indicate they are active.
Their account was banned or deleted
If someone’s WhatsApp account has been banned or deleted by the user themselves, they will appear to be perpetually offline. Their profile picture may also disappear eventually.
This typically occurs if the user has violated WhatsApp’s terms of service. WhatsApp bans accounts for spam/abuse, using modded or unofficial versions of the app, or uploading illegal content.
They blocked you
When a WhatsApp user blocks you, they will appear to be always offline in your contacts list. You also won’t be able to see their profile photo, last seen status or any other information.
From their end, blocking prevents your messages and calls from reaching them. You will be unaware that you have been blocked unless you notice the lack of status updates and delivery reports.
Their phone is offline
A user’s WhatsApp status relies on an active internet connection on their mobile device. If their phone is offline or has no reception, their online status will fail to update.
Situations where this can occur include:
- Phone is switched off
- Phone battery died
- They are in airplane mode
- No internet connectivity or mobile data
Once their device is back online, their status will begin updating normally again.
Their account was temporarily banned
If a WhatsApp account gets temporarily banned for suspicious activity or violations, the user will seem permanently offline until the ban is lifted.
A temporary ban can last anywhere from a few hours up to a couple of days before the account is restored. This is less severe than a permanent ban where the account is deleted.
They are using an unofficial mod
Modded or tweaked versions of WhatsApp like GBWhatsApp and WhatsApp Plus allow users to enable otherwise hidden settings. This includes forcing the “Online” status to stay offline.
Since these third-party apps violate WhatsApp’s policies, any unusual behavior like never appearing online could indicate the user is not on the official version.
Their number changed
If the user has gotten a new phone number, their old number on your phone will continue to show as offline. This number is no longer associated with their WhatsApp account.
To fix this, you need to delete the old number from your contacts and add their new updated number. This will show their proper online status again.
It’s a temporary glitch
In some cases, a connectivity issue on WhatsApp’s servers can cause the online status to stop updating temporarily. This is not specific to any one user and usually resolves itself within a few hours.
If the issue persists beyond a day, it’s likely due to another factor on the user’s device rather than a widespread app glitch.
Their account was temporarily deactivated
WhatsApp will deactivate accounts that have been inactive (not connected to the internet) for 120 days. In this state, the account will appear permanently offline.
Users can reactive their account by simply logging back in and verifying their number again. Once activated, the online status will show normally.
They recently changed phones
After changing to a new device, it can take up to 24 hours for WhatsApp to update a user’s online status and profile photo across all their contacts’ apps.
So if someone just migrated to a new phone, they may not show as online immediately until the data has synced across WhatsApp’s servers.
Their phone’s clock is inaccurate
The accuracy of the “Last Seen at” time in WhatsApp depends on the phone’s clock being set correctly. If a user’s device clock is too inaccurate, it can prevent their status from updating properly.
They should ensure automatic date & time setting is enabled on their device. If necessary, manually set the correct time zone in the Date & Time settings.
They are viewing your profile
When a user views your profile photo or any media you’ve sent in WhatsApp, it won’t display as them being online to you. This prevents them from knowing you are online.
So if someone appears offline but is actively interacting with your profile or messages, it means they have opened your chat specifically but haven’t returned to the main app.
Their phone is in power saving mode
To extend battery life, some devices go into various power saving or low power modes. This can limit background data usage for apps like WhatsApp.
If their phone is in an ultra power saving mode, it may prevent WhatsApp from updating their online status until the mode is disabled.
They turned off “Appear Online” status
In WhatsApp’s privacy settings, users can disable showing their “Online” status entirely. This makes them appear offline at all times to all contacts.
The user may do this for privacy reasons or to avoid someone seeing when they are active on the app.
Their account was hacked
If a WhatsApp account gets hacked or stolen by someone else, the original owner will suddenly appear offline permanently as they no longer have access.
Telltale signs of an account being hacked include the profile photo disappearing and recently sent messages not matching their usual style.
They are using WhatsApp on multiple devices
With recent updates, WhatsApp can now be used on multiple linked devices simultaneously like tablets and secondary phones. However, only activity on the main smartphone will show as online.
So if the user is active on a secondary non-phone device, their online status will not indicate activity from that additional device.
Their phone number changed but they kept same account
Unlike the case where a user gets a new number, sometimes they can change their phone number but retain their existing WhatsApp account and chat history.
In this case, the user has to manually update their profile number within WhatsApp’s settings after the phone number change. Until they do this, their online status may not show properly.
Conclusion
There can be many reasons why a WhatsApp user may show as offline when they are in fact active on the app. The most common causes are disabling read receipts, using WhatsApp Web, blocking you, or temporarily deactivating their account.
Less likely explanations include glitches, hacked accounts, changing devices, or using unofficial modded versions of WhatsApp. If the offline status persists for days, it is usually best to contact the user directly via another method to check if they are having app issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my friend show offline on WhatsApp but is online on Facebook?
This can happen when your friend has disabled WhatsApp read receipts and online status updates in their privacy settings. Facebook and WhatsApp statuses are independent of each other.
Why does my contact’s profile picture disappear in WhatsApp?
If a WhatsApp user’s profile photo disappears, it typically means they have either changed their privacy settings, changed accounts, or been banned from WhatsApp.
Can someone see my WhatsApp status if I block them?
No, blocking someone on WhatsApp prevents them from viewing your profile picture, online status, or any other information about you.
How can I see someone’s WhatsApp status if they blocked me?
There is no way to view someone’s WhatsApp status or online activity if they have blocked you. Even third-party apps cannot bypass blocks.
Why does my husband show offline on WhatsApp?
If your spouse appears offline often on WhatsApp, it could be because they have disabled read receipts, are using WhatsApp Web, have bad connectivity, or have put their phone on airplane mode frequently.
Can WhatsApp glitch and show someone offline?
Yes, in rare cases a WhatsApp outage or connectivity issue can cause contact statuses to stop updating temporarily. If it lasts more than a day, it’s usually not a widespread glitch.
How do I know if someone is ignoring me on WhatsApp?
If you see two check marks but the person still shows as offline for long periods, they likely are ignoring you or have disabled read receipts. Try contacting them on another platform.
Why does my ex still show as online on WhatsApp?
Even after blocking someone, their online status can sometimes take up to 24 hours to disappear while WhatsApp syncs the block across its servers.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot WhatsApp online status issues:
| Issue | Troubleshooting Tips |
|---|---|
| Can’t see someone’s online status |
|
| Online status is stuck or frozen |
|
| Online status disappears |
|
If none of these basic troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, you will need to contact WhatsApp support for further help.
Conclusion
A WhatsApp user showing offline despite being active can be frustrating, but is usually fixable. The most common reasons have straightforward solutions like toggling settings, changing privacy options, or switching between devices. In rare cases where the issue persists, directly contacting the user or WhatsApp support is recommended to identify any underlying problems.