WhatsApp shows Connecting… at the top of the chats screen when it can't reach WhatsApp's servers. Messages stay on one grey tick (sent from your phone but not yet delivered) or a clock icon (not sent yet).
Most of the time it's your phone's connection or settings; occasionally WhatsApp itself is down.
Is WhatsApp down?
See our WhatsApp status page. If reports are spiking, wait for WhatsApp to recover; your messages will send automatically.
Fixes to try
- Check other apps can load something. If nothing works, it's your internet.
- Toggle Airplane mode on and off, or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Restart your phone.
- Update WhatsApp. Very old versions stop connecting.
- Allow background data. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Mobile data, and turn on background data; also turn off battery optimisation for WhatsApp. On iPhone, check Settings, WhatsApp, Mobile Data is on.
- Turn off your VPN, and check the date and time are automatic.
"Waiting for this message. This may take a while."
This appears when the encryption keys needed to read a message haven't arrived yet, often because the sender's phone is offline or they recently reinstalled WhatsApp. Ask the sender to open WhatsApp on their phone with a working connection; the message usually appears soon after.
Questions
Why is WhatsApp stuck on connecting?
WhatsApp can't reach its servers. Usually that's your connection, background data settings or a VPN; sometimes WhatsApp is down.
What does one grey tick mean on WhatsApp?
The message has left your phone but hasn't been delivered to the other person's phone yet, often because they're offline.