WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps in the world. It allows users to send texts, images, videos, and voice messages in real-time. However, one of the most frequently asked questions is: What does a single gray check mean on WhatsApp?
If you’ve ever sent a message and noticed that only one gray checkmark appears instead of two, you might wonder if the recipient has received or read your message. In this topic, we’ll explain:
✔ What the single gray check means
✔ Why your message is not being delivered
✔ The difference between one gray check, two gray checks, and blue checks
✔ Possible solutions if your messages remain undelivered
Understanding WhatsApp’s checkmarks can help you determine whether your message was sent, delivered, or read.
What Does One Gray Check Mean on WhatsApp?
When you send a message on WhatsApp, the app uses a system of checkmarks to show the status of your message. The meaning of these checkmarks is as follows:
✔ One gray check ✅ → Message sent but not delivered
✔ Two gray checks ✅✅ → Message delivered to the recipient’s device
✔ Two blue checks ✅✅ → Message read by the recipient
The single gray check means that the message has left your phone but has not yet reached the recipient’s device. There are several reasons why this might happen.
Why Does a Message Stay on One Gray Check?
There are several reasons why your message may remain with one gray check for a long time. Let’s explore the most common causes.
1. The Recipient’s Phone Is Turned Off
If the person you’re messaging has their phone turned off, your message won’t be delivered until they turn it back on and reconnect to the internet.
✔ If their battery is dead, the message will stay as one gray check until they charge their phone.
✔ If they are in an area with no signal, the message will not be delivered until they get network coverage.
2. No Internet Connection
WhatsApp messages require an active internet connection to be delivered. If the recipient does not have Wi-Fi or mobile data enabled, your message will stay with one gray check until they go online.
✔ If the person is traveling or in a remote area with no signal, they won’t receive messages until they reconnect.
✔ If their Wi-Fi is off or their mobile data is disabled, messages won’t be delivered.
3. The Recipient Has Blocked You
If you have been blocked by the person you are trying to message, your messages will remain with one gray check indefinitely. This is a common reason why messages are never delivered.
Signs that you have been blocked:
✔ Your messages always stay with one gray check
✔ You can’t see the person’s last seen or online status
✔ Their profile picture doesn’t update
✔ You can’t call them on WhatsApp
If you suspect you’ve been blocked, try sending a message to the person from another account. If the message is delivered on the other account, it’s likely that you’ve been blocked.
4. The Recipient Has Deleted WhatsApp
If the person uninstalled WhatsApp or deleted their account, your messages will stay with one gray check because their device is no longer connected to WhatsApp’s servers.
✔ If they reinstall WhatsApp, your message might be delivered.
✔ If they permanently deleted their account, your messages will never be received.
5. The Recipient Has Activated Airplane Mode
If the person you are messaging has turned on Airplane Mode, their phone is temporarily disconnected from the internet.
✔ Your message will stay on one gray check until they turn off Airplane Mode and reconnect.
✔ Some people use Airplane Mode to avoid receiving notifications while traveling or sleeping.
6. WhatsApp Server Issues
Sometimes, WhatsApp servers experience downtime or technical issues, preventing messages from being delivered.
✔ If many people are experiencing the same issue, WhatsApp might be down.
✔ You can check if WhatsApp is down by visiting online outage reports.
If WhatsApp is having technical problems, you’ll have to wait until the issue is resolved before your message is delivered.
What’s the Difference Between One Gray Check and Two Gray Checks?
A single gray check means that your message was sent but has not yet been delivered.
Two gray checks mean that the message has been delivered to the recipient’s phone but has not been read yet.
✔ One gray check = Message sent but not delivered
✔ Two gray checks = Message delivered but not read
Once the recipient opens the chat and reads the message, the two gray checks turn blue (if read receipts are enabled).
How to Fix Messages Stuck on One Gray Check
If your message remains with one gray check for a long time, here are some solutions you can try.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
Make sure your phone is connected to the internet by:
✔ Turning on Wi-Fi or mobile data
✔ Restarting your router or modem
✔ Switching to a different network (Wi-Fi or cellular)
If your internet is unstable, messages may not be sent properly.
2. Restart WhatsApp
Close the WhatsApp app and restart it to fix any temporary glitches.
✔ On Android: Open Recent Apps and swipe WhatsApp away, then reopen it.
✔ On iPhone: Double-tap the Home button or swipe up, then close and reopen WhatsApp.
3. Ask the Recipient to Check Their Internet
If the issue is on the recipient’s side, they should:
✔ Turn off Airplane Mode
✔ Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data
✔ Restart their phone
4. Check If You’ve Been Blocked
If your messages never go beyond one gray check, the recipient might have blocked you. Try sending a message from another number to confirm.
5. Wait for the Recipient to Come Online
If the recipient’s phone is off or disconnected, your message will be delivered once they go online.
A single gray check on WhatsApp means your message has been sent but not delivered. This could happen because:
✔ The recipient’s phone is off
✔ They have no internet connection
✔ They blocked you
✔ They deleted WhatsApp
✔ WhatsApp is experiencing server issues
If your message stays with one gray check for a long time, try checking your internet connection, restarting WhatsApp, or contacting the recipient.
Understanding WhatsApp’s checkmarks helps you know when your message has been sent, delivered, and read—so you never have to wonder what happened to your texts! ✅