How to Fix Single Tick on WhatsApp Message for a Long Time? [2025]

Have you ever sent a WhatsApp message, only to see a single gray tick next to it for what seems like forever? It can be frustrating when your message doesn’t seem to get through or isn’t acknowledged. Whether it’s to a friend, colleague, or family member, we all want our messages to be delivered and read in a timely manner.

The single tick in WhatsApp can be a sign of several underlying issues, but don’t worry; it’s not always as serious as it might seem. In this blog, we’ll explore why my WhatsApp messages are not delivering to one person, what one tick in WhatsApp means, the reasons behind it, and how you can fix this issue once and for all. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to troubleshoot and resolve this problem, ensuring that your messages are delivered and received without delays.

Before jumping into message security, you can troubleshoot common delivery problems like the single tick.

What Do You Mean by a Single Gray Tick on WhatsApp?

Whenever WhatsApp shows a single gray tick on your sent message, it reflects that your message has left your device, but hasn’t reached the receiver’s device. This could happen for several reasons, such as the recipient’s phone being off, poor internet connectivity, or if their WhatsApp is unable to connect to the server.

It’s important to note that this gray tick only shows up if the message was sent to the server and is waiting to reach the recipient’s device. While it can be frustrating, it’s not a sign that something is wrong with your app; it’s just waiting for that extra push to get delivered!

Want to know why your WhatsApp message shows only a single tick for a long time? Here’s how to fix it.

Can We Fix the Single Gray Tick on WhatsApp Messages for a Long Time?

Yes, the single gray tick issue on WhatsApp can usually be fixed, though it often depends on the cause of the delay. There could be a few different reasons why your message hasn’t been delivered yet. While you cannot control the recipient’s phone or network, you can try troubleshooting by checking your internet connection, ensuring that the app is updated, or even trying to resend the message later. In most cases, resolving these issues will ensure your message is delivered, and the single tick turns into two.

WhatsApp Ticks Explained: What Do the Check Marks Mean?

WhatsApp shows simple check marks to help you know if your message was sent, delivered, or read—it’s their easy way of keeping you in the loop. Depending on the recipient’s phone status and actions, these check marks can change. These ticks are color-coded. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each tick means:

1. One Grey Checkmark

If your WhatsApp conversation chat shows a single gray tick on your sent message, it means that your message was sent but didn’t reach the other person’s mobile device. This usually happens if their phone is switched off, they’re out of network coverage, or not connected to the internet. In simple words, your shared message is still in process and hasn’t been received yet.

2. Two Grey Checkmarks

When you see two grey ticks on WhatsApp, it means your message has reached the recipient’s phone. It’s been delivered, but they haven’t opened or read it yet. They haven’t seen it yet, but the message has made it to their device. If you’re waiting for a response and see two gray ticks, it’s just a matter of time before the message is read.

3. Two Blue Checkmarks

In case WhatsApp shows two blue checkmarks on your sent message, it means your message has been opened and read by the receiver. It’s a clear sign that your message was not only delivered but also seen. This means they’ve opened the chat and seen the content you’ve sent. However, keep in mind that if the recipient has read receipts turned off, the ticks may never turn blue; you’ll only see the two gray ticks.

If you’re unsure what it means when WhatsApp shows only one tick, read this quick guide.

Difference Between One Gray Tick and Two on WhatsApp?

Understanding the difference between one gray tick and two gray ticks on WhatsApp is key to knowing the status of your messages. Here’s how they differ:

Single Gray Tick

First, understand the single gray tick on WhatsApp:

1. What it Means

The message has been sent, but it hasn’t reached the recipient yet.

2. Why It Happens

This usually occurs when the recipient’s phone is off, they’re in an area with no network, or their internet connection is too weak to receive the message.

3. The Message’s Status

It reflects that your message is still on its way and hasn’t been delivered yet. It hasn’t made it to the recipient’s device yet, and it’s waiting to connect.

Two Gray Ticks

Now, explore WhatsApp double tick means:

1. What it Means

Your message has successfully been delivered to the recipient’s phone.

2. Why It Happens

This happens whenever your shared message is successfully reached, but the receiver did not open it, either because they are away from their device or left unread.

3. The Message’s Status

Your message has been delivered to their phone, but they haven’t viewed it yet. Two gray ticks mean it’s in their inbox, but it’s still unread.

What are the Reasons Behind WhatsApp’s Single Tick?

The single gray tick on WhatsApp can occur due to various reasons, and while it might seem like a small issue, it’s usually due to some technical factors. Below are some common reasons why you might see a single gray tick for a long time:

1. Switched Off the Phone of the Recipient

When the recipient’s phone is turned off or in airplane mode, WhatsApp won’t be able to deliver the message to their device; in this case, WhatsApp shows you a single gray tick on your sent message. This means that the message will be received as soon as the recipient’s phone is turned back on.

2. Weak or Poor Internet Connection

A weak internet connection, whether on your side or the recipient’s, can delay the delivery of the message. If the recipient doesn’t have Wi-Fi or mobile data, your message will stay at a single grey tick until they’re back online.

3. Recipient Blocked on WhatsApp

Your message would not be sent to their phone if the recipient has blocked you on the WhatsApp application. You will continue to see a WhatsApp Single tick as the message can’t be transmitted to the recipient’s phone.

4. Low Phone Storage of Recipient

If the recipient’s phone is running low on storage, it can prevent WhatsApp from downloading new messages. In this case, the message stays on the server with a single gray tick until the recipient frees up some space on their device.

5. Server Issues on WhatsApp

At times, message delivery might be delayed due to technical issues on WhatsApp’s servers. This can cause the message to be stuck with a single gray tick until the server issues are resolved.

Turning Off Read Receipts on WhatsApp Business: Yes or No?

No, turning off read receipts does not affect the tick status of your sent messages.

Read receipts (those blue ticks) only tell you when someone has read your message — they don’t control whether the message was delivered. A single tick appears on your phone, which means your message has been sent but has not reached the other person’s mobile or gadget yet. This could happen if their phone is off, they have no internet, or they’ve blocked you.

So, whether you keep read receipts on or off in WhatsApp Business, it won’t solve or cause the single tick issue. It’s best to check the recipient’s connectivity or consider other delivery issues instead.

How to Fix a Single Tick Issue on WhatsApp?

To fix the single tick on WhatsApp issue, you need to understand that a single tick means your message was sent from your phone but hasn’t reached the recipient’s device yet. Here’s what you can do to solve it:

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Make sure you’re connected to a strong and stable Wi-Fi or mobile data network for smooth messaging. A weak connection may delay message processing.

2. Ask the Recipient to Check Their Connection

The most common reason for a single tick on WhatsApp is that the recipient’s phone is off or they’re not connected to the internet.

3. Ensure You’re Not Blocked

If someone has blocked you on WhatsApp, your messages will always show a single tick on WhatsApp, no matter what. If you see only one tick on WhatsApp, but not blocked, it may also be because of a network issue, or it might be due to being blocked. Learn about other possible reasons. To confirm, try messaging from another number. If you’re seeing only one tick on your message, it

4. Restart WhatsApp or Reinstall

Sometimes, technical glitches in the app may cause temporary issues. Restarting or reinstalling WhatsApp can refresh everything.

5. Check WhatsApp Server Status

Rarely, WhatsApp servers go down. You can visit websites like Downdetector to check if there’s a known outage.

6. Disable Battery Saver Mode

On some devices, battery saver mode restricts background data. This might prevent message delivery in real time.

Conclusion

So, the mystery behind the single tick on WhatsApp isn’t as complicated as it seems. Most of the time, it’s just a matter of internet connectivity, either yours or the recipient’s. Sometimes, it’s about being blocked or a simple app glitch. Whatever the case, the solutions are usually quick and easy to try.

Remember, read receipts and ticks aren’t the same thing, so switching them off or on won’t affect message delivery. If you see a WhatsApp single tick for a long time, the trick is to stay calm, go through the checklist, and patiently figure out what’s stopping your message from reaching the other side.

By following the steps we discussed, you can stop guessing and start fixing. After all, WhatsApp is all about real-time communication, and knowing your messages are actually reaching someone matters. So next time you see that stubborn single tick, don’t panic; just troubleshoot smartly, and you’ll be good to go!