Ever sent a WhatsApp message and notice just one grey tick? You might wonder if your message was delivered or if the other person has seen it.
A single tick on WhatsApp can mean several things, from network issues to being blocked.
In this guide, we’ll explain
- Table Of Contents
- PART 1: What Do Different Ticks on WhatsApp Mean?
- PART 2: Why Is There Only 1 Tick on WhatsApp for A Long Time?
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PART 3: Troubleshooting of Seeing 1 Grey Tick on WhatsApp
- PART 4: FAQs about Ticks on WhatsApp
PART 1: What Do Different Ticks on WhatsApp Mean?
When you send a WhatsApp message, you’ll notice small ticks appear next to it. These ticks tell you the delivery and read status of your message.
A single grey tick shows that your message has been sent to WhatsApp but hasn’t been delivered to the recipient’s device yet. This could happen if:
- The recipient’s phone is off
- Not connected to the internet
- They temporarily uninstalled WhatsApp
- You may have been blocked
Now you understand the one grey tick, it’s helpful to know what the other ticks represent. Here’s a quick overview:
| Tick Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ✓(One Grey) |
Message sent, not delivered to the recipient’s device yet. You’re blocked. |
| ✓✓(Two Grey) |
Message delivered, but not yet read by the recipient. The recipient has turned off Read Receipts. |
| ✓✓(Two Blue) | Message has been read by the recipient. |
For parents or guardians understanding these ticks is useful for keeping kids safe online. Apps like VigilKids can help monitor WhatsApp activity discreetly, providing monitoring for messages, calls, locations, etc.—all running silently in the background to ensure safety.
PART 2: Why Is There Only 1 Tick on WhatsApp for A Long Time?
Is it the only explanation that you’re blocked when you see only 1 tick on WhatsApp? No. Seeing a single grey tick on WhatsApp for an extended period can be confusing, but it can be caused by several reasons. Here are the most common reasons why this happens:
1.Recipient's Phone Is Off or in Airplane Mode
If their phone is powered off or in airplane mode, messages cannot be delivered, and leads to a grey tick on the screen. In this case, you can wait until their device is back online.
2.No Internet Connection
When the recipient's device isn't connected to WiFi or mobile data or in a poor network coverage, it can also cause a single grey tick. But it can be solved when they get an active internet connection, which can let the message reach them.
3.WhatsApp Isn't Running or Has Been Uninstalled
If the app is force-stopped, closed completely, or uninstalled, messages cannot be delivered.
4.Insufficient Storage on Recipient's Device
This situation is relatively uncommon, but it does happen. If the recipient's phone doesn't have sufficient storage space, it's difficult to load the new messages it received, causing message delays. It will return to normal status when the recipient frees up storage space on their phone.
5.WhatsApp Server Issues
Occasionally, WhatsApp servers may experience temporary problems, affecting message delivery. The fix is to wait for WhatsApp to resolve the issue.
6.You've Been Blocked
If the recipient has blocked you, your messages will always show one grey tick. You also won't see their profile picture, "Last Seen," or "Online" status, unless they unblock you.
PART 3: Troubleshooting of Seeing 1 Grey Tick on WhatsApp
If you want to know what to do when your WhatsApp messages are stuck at a single grey tick, there are several steps you can take to possibly fix the issue:
1. Check Your Internet Connection
Make sure your device is connected to stable Wi-Fi or mobile data, as messages may fail to send if your connection is weak.
2. Confirm the Recipient's Status
The recipient may have their phone turned off, be in airplane mode, or lack internet access. You can check their online status in WhatsApp:
- Step 1.Launch WhatsApp and tap "Chat."
- Step 2.Select the person's chat you wish to check.
- Step 3.You can see the online status under the contact's name.
If the person is online, it means your messages can be reached.
Related read:See WhatsApp status updates without being seen
3. Update WhatsApp to the Latest Version
Outdated apps may occasionally cause delivery issues, so you'll need to ensure both your WhatsApp and the recipient's WhatsApp are updated to the latest version. The following are the steps:
- Step 1.Open the App Store(iOS) or Google Play Store(Android).
- Step 2.Search for WhatsApp.
- Step 3.Tap Update (if available) and wait for the update to complete.
- Step 4.If no update button appears, it means you already have the latest version.
4. Clear the Cache
A device running low on storage may struggle to process incoming and outgoing messages, leading to delays or stuck messages. To free up space:
- Step 1.Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Step 2.Tap "Chats" > "Clear all chats," so you can release storage space.
5. Restart Your Device
After all the above steps, restart your device to resolve temporary glitches in network or app functionality.
6. If You've Been Blocked
If the single grey tick appears because the other person has blocked you, unfortunately, the message will never be delivered until they unblock you.
In this case, the only solution is to ask them to add you back.
Tips:
- If you are a parent or guardian, these delivery issues can make it hard to know if your children are receiving or sending messages safely. VigilKids is a parental monitoring tool that provides:
- Real-time chat monitoring: View WhatsApp messages even if blocked or the read receipts are hidden.
- Call logs tracking: Keep track of incoming and outgoing calls of children.
- Location tracking: Monitor your child's real-time location.
- Live screenshots: See what's happening on your child's screen instantly.
- Hidden activity tracking: Even if your child hides their online activity or blocks your account, you can still monitor their usage.
PART 4: FAQs about Ticks on WhatsApp
Q1: Can one grey tick indicate I've been blocked on WhatsApp?
A: Not always. One grey tick simply means the message hasn't been delivered. But if this continues for a long time, along with no profile picture, no last seen, and no status updates, it may suggest you've been blocked.
Q2: Why does it show one tick on WhatsApp, but I can see their profile picture?
A: If you can see their profile updates, the 1 tick on WhatsApp means the message is still undelivered due to poor internet or the phone being offline.
Q3: Can I hide my Read Receipts on WhatsApp?
A: Yes, you can hide your Read Receipts on WhatsApp in Settings > Privacy. When disabled, other contacts won't see double blue ticks, but you also won't see theirs.
Conclusion
Seeing only one grey tick on WhatsApp can be confusing, but in some cases, it's nothing serious. It may be just a delay in delivery or a temporary connection issue.
By understanding what 1 tick on WhatsApp means and knowing how to troubleshoot, you'll be able to tell whether it's a technical issue or something else, like being blocked.
And if you're a parent who wants extra peace of mind, VigilKids provides real-time WhatsApp monitoring with easy setup and high reliability.