How to Fix WhatsApp Not Sending or Receiving Messages

If you’re encountering the issue of being unable to send or receive WhatsApp messages, this guide is for you.

Note that all 13 solutions are for fixing the WhatsApp not sending messages problem and only the first 9 solutions are for fixing WhatsApp messages not receiving.

I use an Android phone and iPhone here. Let’s begin.

Fix WhatsApp Not Receiving or Sending Messages

Solution 1

Check your internet connection.

Solution 2

Check the WhatsApp server status. If there is no issue with the server, try the below solutions.

Solution 3

Restart your iPhone or Android phone. Let’s see how to restart Android first, then iPhone.

Long-press the “Power” button on your Android device and select “Restart.”

• Save

On your iPhone, open “Settings” and tap “General.” Tap “Shut Down” and slide to the right to turn off iPhone. After that, long-press the “Side” button until you see the “Apple” logo.

Solution 4

Check if there is any update for WhatsApp available or not. If any, update WhatsApp.

Solution 5 (Android only)

Clear the WhatsApp cache on your Android phone. Here’s our guide to help you with this.

Solution 6 (iPhone only)

If you’re using a mobile data connection and having this issue, try these steps:

Open the “Settings” app and hit “Cellular.” Enable “WhatsApp.” If it is already enabled, leave it intact.

Solution 7

Make sure you’ve not blocked the contact.

If you’re using an iPhone, follow these steps:

Launch the WhatsApp app. Hit the “Settings” tab at the bottom. Select “Privacy.”

Between “Live Location” and “Default Message Timer,” you can see “Blocked.” Hit it. Check if the contact is there. If it is, unblock it.

If you’re using an Android phone, follow these steps:

Open WhatsApp and hit the three vertical dots at the top right.

Select Settings > Privacy.

Between “Live location” and “Fingerprint lock,” you can see “Blocked contacts.”

• Save

Hit it. Unblock if the contact is there.

Note: Here’s our guide to unblocking contacts on WhatsApp.

Solution 8

Follow these steps if you’re on an iPhone:

Launch the “Settings” app and hit “WhatsApp.”

Enable the “Background App Refresh” option. If it is already enabled, leave it intact.

• Save

Follow these steps if you’re on an Android device:

Open the “Settings” app. Hit Apps > See all (number) apps. Hit “WhatsApp.”

Select “Mobile data & Wi-Fi.” Make sure “Background data” is enabled.

Solution 9

Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. I suggest you take a backup before proceeding with this.

Solution 10

If the contact is international, ensure you’ve inputted the country code and number correctly.

Solution 11

If you’re using an iPhone, here are the steps for disabling low data mode for mobile data:

Open the “Settings” app. Hit Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options. Disable “Low Data Mode.”

That’s it. If you’re using Wi-Fi, you need to do this for that.

If you’re using an Android phone, here are the steps to disable the data saver:

Open the “Settings” app and select “Network & internet.”

Hit “Data Saver” and disable “Use Data Saver.”

Solution 12

Launch the “Settings” app on your iPhone and select “Battery.” Turn off “Low Power Mode.” That’s it.

• Save

Open the “Settings” app on your Android device and select Battery > Battery Saver. Turn off “Use Battery Saver.”

Solution 13

Reset network settings on your device.

Here’s how you can do it on an Android phone:

Launch “Settings” and tap System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Tap “Reset settings” and enter your pin. Hit “Reset settings.”

Follow these steps to do this task if you’re using iPhone:

Open “Settings” and tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

• Save

Provide your passcode and tap “Reset Network Settings.”