Why is there only one tick in WhatsApp when sending a message, but the person is online - briefly?
The single tick in WhatsApp indicates that your message has been sent from your device but not yet delivered to the recipient's device. Even if the recipient is online, the message may still be waiting in WhatsApp's servers for delivery. Once the message is successfully delivered to the recipient's device, you will see two ticks.
Why is there only one tick in WhatsApp when sending a message, but the person is online - in detail?
When you send a message on WhatsApp and see only one checkmark (tick) next to it, this indicates that your message has been successfully sent from your device but not yet delivered to the recipient's phone. The presence of the single tick does not necessarily mean there is an issue with delivery; rather, it signifies that the message is in transit.
The process of message transmission on WhatsApp involves several stages. Firstly, when you hit send, your message is encrypted and sent to WhatsApp's servers. The single checkmark indicates this initial step has been completed. However, for the recipient to receive the message, it must be delivered from WhatsApp’s servers to their device.
There are several reasons why a message might stay at one tick even though the recipient is online:
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Network Issues: The recipient's internet connection may be unstable or slow, preventing them from receiving the message promptly.
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Device Settings: The recipient’s phone settings could be affecting message delivery. For instance, if their device is set to "Do Not Disturb" mode, notifications might be delayed or suppressed.
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WhatsApp Server Load: During peak times or when the server load is high, there can be delays in message delivery.
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Recipient’s Phone Status: Even if the recipient appears online, their phone might be in a state where it cannot receive messages immediately, such as during a software update or a temporary network glitch.
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Message Delivery Priority: WhatsApp's system prioritizes message delivery based on various factors including urgency and relevance. If there are multiple messages being sent simultaneously, some may take longer to deliver than others.
Once the recipient’s phone successfully receives your message from WhatsApp's servers, you will see two checkmarks (ticks) next to it, indicating delivery. If the recipient reads the message, the checkmarks will turn blue, confirming that the message has been opened and read.
In summary, seeing only one tick on WhatsApp when sending a message while the person is online simply means the message is still in transit and has not yet reached their device. Patience and ensuring both parties have stable internet connections usually resolve this temporary state.