There are a few common reasons why your WhatsApp messages may not deliver right away:
Poor internet connection
One of the most common causes of delayed WhatsApp messages is a poor internet connection. If you or the recipient have slow internet speeds or an unstable connection, it can prevent messages from sending and receiving in a timely manner.
WhatsApp requires an active internet connection to send and receive messages. So if either device briefly loses connection, the message will get stuck in limbo until the connection is restored. This is especially common when switching between WiFi and mobile data.
Recipient has bad reception
If the recipient you’re messaging has poor cell reception in their location, it can delay the delivery of your WhatsApp messages. Areas with weak mobile signal like basements, rural locations or large buildings may interfere with messages going through quickly.
Your message stays unsent until the recipient’s device is able to reconnect to cell tower and download pending messages. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on their location.
Recipient’s phone is off or has no internet
If the person you’re messaging has their phone turned off or has no internet connectivity, your WhatsApp messages will queue up but remain undelivered until they come back online.
For example, if you message someone whose phone is switched off, the messages will remain pending until they turn their phone back on and their WhatsApp connects to the internet again. This could take minutes or even days depending on the recipient’s connectivity.
Recipients phone lacks available storage
WhatsApp requires free local storage on the recipient’s phone to deliver new messages. If their phone is completely out of storage, your new messages won’t come through until space is cleared.
Android phones require at least 100MB and iPhones need around 200MB free space for WhatsApp to operate efficiently. Without adequate free space, incoming and outgoing messages start getting stuck in limbo.
You’ve been blocked by the recipient
If the contact you’re messaging has blocked you on WhatsApp, any new messages you send them will remain perpetually undelivered and stuck on “sent”. They simply won’t show up on the recipient’s phone.
The simplest way to confirm if you’ve been blocked is asking the recipient directly. If blocked, your only options are to either wait until they unblock you, or just communicate through another medium.
Their account was banned or deleted
If the WhatsApp account of the person you’re messaging was banned for violating WhatsApp policies, your messages will stay perpetually undelivered. Their account essentially ceases to exist.
Similarly, if the recipient has voluntarily deleted their WhatsApp account, any messages will have nowhere to go and remain stuck on “sent”. The nuclear option is your only way to get your messages across.
You’ve reached WhatsApp’s message limit
In rare cases, you may be unable to deliver messages due to reaching WhatsApp’s built-in limit on how many undelivered messages can queue up per chat.
WhatsApp sets a limit of 5,000 undelivered messages per individual chat. Once that capacity is reached, any new messages you attempt to send won’t go through until older stuck messages are deleted.
Their account is temporarily banned
If the recipient you’re messaging has had their WhatsApp account temporarily banned due to violations, your messages won’t deliver until the ban is reversed.
WhatsApp has a policy of banning accounts for 24 hours after detecting suspicious automated activity. Any messages sent during the ban period will remain stuck as undelivered until the ban lifts.
How to fix delayed WhatsApp messages
Here are some troubleshooting tips to try when your WhatsApp messages are taking a long time to send or deliver:
- Check your internet connection and try toggling between WiFi and mobile data.
- Ask the recipient to try force closing and restarting the WhatsApp app.
- Ask the recipient to check their phone’s storage and clear space if needed.
- Try deleting older stuck messages from the chat.
- Verify the recipient’s phone is switched on and has an internet connection.
- Wait patiently – messages eventually deliver when connectivity is restored.
When to worry about undelivered WhatsApp messages
As a rule of thumb, most delayed WhatsApp messages eventually deliver within a few hours once any connectivity issues are resolved.
However, if a message remains stuck on “sent” for more than 24 hours, it likely indicates a deeper issue like the recipient blocking you, deleting their account, or their account being banned.
If a message is urgent, it may be worth double checking with the recipient via phone call or SMS if all else fails after a day.
Conclusion
WhatsApp messages failing to deliver instantly is usually just a temporary hiccup due to poor connectivity, insufficient storage or the recipient’s device being offline. The messages eventually send once the issue is resolved.
However, if a message remains stuck for over 24 hours, the recipient may have blocked you, deleted their account or been banned. If it’s important, follow up via alternate means to confirm.