WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to easily connect with friends and family. However, many users have experienced issues where messages take a long time to deliver or get stuck on “sending” when messaging one specific person.
What causes delayed or stuck messages on WhatsApp?
There are several potential reasons why WhatsApp messages may be slow or get stuck when sending to one particular contact:
- Poor internet connection – If you or the recipient has a spotty internet connection, this can interrupt the sending process. Messages may sit in limbo until the connection improves.
- Outdated app version – Make sure both you and the recipient are running the latest version of WhatsApp. Older versions may have bugs that affect message delivery.
- Full storage space – If the recipient’s phone is low on storage, this can prevent messages from coming through reliably. They may need to clear space for the app to work properly.
- App not running in background – The recipient may have background data disabled for WhatsApp, preventing messages from coming in unless the app is open.
- Blocked messages – Some messaging apps have options to selectively block messages from certain contacts. Make sure you haven’t been blocked.
- Banned account – In extreme cases, one of your accounts may have been banned from WhatsApp, preventing any messages from coming through.
Troubleshooting tips to fix delayed/stuck WhatsApp messages
If you’re experiencing issues with message delivery to a specific person, there are some troubleshooting steps you can take:
- Force quit and restart the WhatsApp app on both devices. This clears out any glitches.
- Make sure you’re connected to a stable WiFi or cellular data network.
- Check that your phone software is up-to-date and you’re running the latest version of WhatsApp.
- Ask the recipient to check their storage space and clear room if needed.
- Have the recipient restart their device and re-launch WhatsApp.
- Toggle WhatsApp’s background data and permissions off and on again.
- Try deleting your chat history with the contact and starting a new conversation.
- As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to clear stored data.
Advanced troubleshooting for delayed messages
If you’ve tried the basic troubleshooting tips with no success, there are some more advanced steps to try:
Check network connections
Run speed tests on both your phone and recipient’s to check for network issues. Fast.com or Speedtest.net can test connection speeds. Consistently slow speeds could impair WhatsApp.
Reset network settings
On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. On Android, go to Settings > General > Reset Network Settings. This will wipe all WiFi networks and Bluetooth pairings, but can resolve persistent network bugs.
Update phone software and apps
Go to Settings > General > Software Update on iPhone or Settings > System > System Update on Android. Install any available operating system and app updates, including for WhatsApp. Updates sometimes include bug fixes affecting messaging.
Check app permissions
Make sure WhatsApp has permission to access contacts, messages, media files, and mobile data. Read access allows normal functioning. Denied permissions can disrupt messaging and media sending.
Try alternate internet access
If issues only occur on WiFi or cellular data, try switching to the other to test. For example, turn off WiFi and use only cellular data instead. This pinpoints where the problem lies.
Contact WhatsApp support
WhatsApp offers customer support to help troubleshoot. Visit https://www.whatsapp.com/contact/ to submit an issue. Include details like your phone model, app version, and steps taken. Support may be able to resolve complex delivery problems.
Back up chats and reinstall WhatsApp
As a last resort, back up your chats via iCloud or Google Drive, uninstall WhatsApp, then reinstall and restore your chats. This will wipe any corrupted data that may be affecting messaging.
Preventing WhatsApp message delays
While occasional messaging hiccups are normal, you can take steps to prevent frequent WhatsApp delays to a particular contact:
- Maintain a stable internet connection
- Keep your operating system and apps updated
- Don’t overload your device’s storage
- Check for app updates weekly
- Connect over WiFi instead of mobile data when possible
- Clear chat history regularly
- Restart your phone and WhatsApp weekly
Following best practices for your phone and WhatsApp will help minimize technical issues that slow down messaging. But some delays are unavoidable due to the recipient’s device and connection.
When to seek additional help
If you’ve exhausted all troubleshooting tips and WhatsApp messages are still frequently delayed or stuck when messaging one person, it’s time to seek additional help:
- Ask your contact to run through troubleshooting on their device as well
- Post on WhatsApp support forums for advice from other users
- Contact your cell carrier in case it’s a network issue
- Perform a factory reset on your phone (backup data first)
- Consult a smartphone technician if you can’t resolve the issue
Ongoing issues likely require technical intervention beyond simple troubleshooting. Be sure to monitor the problem closely and document all steps taken to resolve it. Persistent messaging problems may require switching to an alternative messaging app instead.
Conclusion
Delayed or stuck messages in WhatsApp to one particular contact can be annoying and disruptive. But the problem typically stems from fixable technical issues like poor connections, outdated software, or app glitches. Try comprehensive troubleshooting and best practices on both devices to identify and resolve the underlying cause. In difficult cases, specialized technical help may be needed to get WhatsApp working properly again. With some diligent detective work, you can likely get your messages delivering smoothly again.