- To fix the issue, wait for the sender to come online. The error will disappear, and you will be able to see the message.
- If you use WhatsApp on a linked device, wait for all messages to sync.
- Update WhatsApp to the latest Play Store or App Store version for a bug-free experience.
Why Do I See the ‘Waiting for This Message’ Error?
When you (uninstall) and reinstall WhatsApp on your device, new messages you receive from people will most likely be hidden under a “Waiting for this message. This may take a while.” placeholder.
This happens because the messages have been encrypted by the user. So, WhatsApp must generate a new private key on your app before you can decrypt the content of the text. For that to happen, both the sender and receiver must be online.
You’d also most likely encounter this error when you change your smartphone or move your WhatsApp account from one device to another.
It works both ways, too. If you did not reinstall WhatsApp or get a new device, but the message sender did, you might encounter this error.
Fix 1: Wait It Out
You would typically have to wait for the sender to come back online before WhatsApp generates a private key that can be used to encrypt and decrypt the message on both devices properly. All these happen in the background, and you don’t have to do anything.
Fix 2: Ask the Sender to Come Online
If you are in a hurry or the text is urgent and time-sensitive, you can contact the sender via phone call, email, or SMS. As soon as the sender is back online, the message appears immediately.
Note: The sender doesn’t have to resend the message(s).
Fix 3: Wait for WhatsApp to Sync
If you open WhatsApp web or link a device to your WhatsApp account, wait for it to load all your conversations. Once all messages and media in your chat load up, you probably won’t see the “Waiting for Message” error.
Fix 4: Update WhatsApp to the Latest Version
It is essential to install the latest version of WhatsApp on your iPhone or Android device. This ensures all the latest security features and patches are installed. It will also help WhatsApp generate private keys for encryption and decryption easily.
Fix 5: Backup and Restore WhatsApp
We recommend using the below method as a last resort. It involves manually resorting to the message(s) by backing up your WhatsApp messages, uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp, and finally restoring the backup.
In the WhatsApp settings, go to Chats > Chat Backup and back up your chats. Ensure you choose a cloud backup option like Google Drive or iCloud .
Once the backup is complete, uninstall WhatsApp , reinstall the app, and restore the backup.
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- Access the print queue on your computer and manually clear any stuck print jobs that might be causing the issue.
- Ensure you have the latest printer drivers installed. If not, update them or reinstall the drivers to resolve compatibility issues.
- Use your computer’s built-in printer troubleshooter tool to detect and fix common printer problems.
Preliminary Fixes
- Check Printer Connection : You should first try power cycling both your computer and printer. Refreshing the connection between your devices may solve this problem much quicker than you had anticipated.
- Check Pages and Ink : If your printer has run out of pages or ink, you may receive the ‘documents are waiting’ error. You should refill the ink or add more pages to your printer for a smooth operation.
- Check your Printer Status : Ensure your printer’s status is not set to offline. This will make the printer undetectable for your computer. As a result, your PC won’t be able to communicate with the printer.
Fix 1: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Step 1: Navigate to Settings . Then, open the System and select Troubleshooters .
Step 2: Select Other troubleshooter . Now, Run the printer troubleshooter from the following menu and follow the on-screen instructions.
If the troubleshooter cannot solve your problem, try restarting the Print Spooler service.
Fix 2: Restart the Print Spooler
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open a new Run window.
Step 2: Then, type services.msc and press Enter .
It opens the services menu.
Step 3: Scroll down to Print Spooler .
Step 4: Right-click on the service and select Stop .
The service should no longer be running now.
Step 5: Now, launch File Explorer and go to the following path.
C:\Windows\System32\spool\printers
Step 6: Delete the content of the folder. By doing that, you’ll delete the printing queue.
Note : Don’t delete the folder itself.
Step 7: Restart your computer.
Step 8: Go back to Print Spooler and restart the service.
Step 9: Set the Startup Type to Automatic .
If the steps above are too complicated, complete the same task from the Command Prompt menu.
Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt as admin.
Step 2: Run these commands and press Enter after each one.
net stop spooler
del /Q %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.*
net start spooler
Check if the error is gone. If this doesn’t resolve, check out the next fix.
Fix 3: Reinstall the Printer Drivers
If your print drivers got corrupted, are missing, or are running outdated drivers, you may not print your documents. That’s why you need to update your drivers. Or reinstall them if they get corrupted.
Step 1: Launch the Device Manager . Then, go to Print Queues and expand the list.
Step 2: Select Update driver and check if the problem is gone.
If it persists, select Uninstall device to remove your current print drivers. Restart your computer. Your device will automatically install the latest print drivers.
Check if your printer still says documents are waiting to be printed.
Fix 4: Remove and Add Your Printer
If nothing worked, maybe re-adding your printer to your computer will do the trick. It’s a handy way to fix the printer ‘documents waiting’ error.
Step 1: Head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners menu.
Step 2: Select your preferred printer.
You can check the printer’s details. You can run the troubleshooter from the same menu too.
Step 3: Click Remove .
Now, go back and select Add device . Once Windows detects your printer, click Add device .
You may need to cancel documents waiting to print and try again.
If the printing error only appears while using Google Chrome , check our dedicated guide to troubleshoot it. Before you rush to the nearest store to print your documents and files, use the tricks above to fix the problem.
