How to Know If Someone Blocked You On WhatsApp

Have you ever sent a message on WhatsApp and then... nothing? No reply, no blue ticks, no profile photo. Just a single grey tick greeting you every time you check in?

You start wondering: “Did I do something? Have they blocked me? Or are they just somewhere with no signal? Like stuck on a mountain bus in rural Vietnam?"

We've all been there. And it's not about being nosy. Sometimes you're waiting on travel plans, meeting details or even a customer service reply. 

So being curious about whether someone's blocked you on WhatsApp is a natural next step. It's OK to wonder, you're only human.

How to Know If Someone Blocked You on WhatsApp

Adobe Free Stock / dsheremeta

As we all know, WhatsApp doesn't notify you if someone blocks you, which can certainly add to the mystery. 

And there is no 100% foolproof way of knowing for sure if you've been blocked.

However, there's one way in particular that comes very close to giving you a clear answer - the delete and re-add method.

And in this guide, I'll walk you through it. 

But first, it's important to understand what being blocked on WhatsApp looks like.

What Happens When Someone Blocks You on WhatsApp? 

Here are the other indicators that often make people wonder if they've been blocked on WhatsApp.

Individually, they don't mean much. But together, and especially combined with the 'delete then re-add' trick I'll explain later, they start to tell a clearer story.

1. You Can't See Their 'Last Seen' or 'Online' Status

• What you might notice: No online status or last seen timestamp.
• What it could mean: Either that you've been blocked or that you or they have changed privacy settings.

2. Their Profile Photo Has Disappeared

• What you might notice: The profile pic vanishes, never changes or is replaced with a default grey avatar.
• What it could mean: They've blocked you, removed their profile image or have chosen to limit who can see it.

3. Messages Only Show One Tick

• What you might notice: One grey tick, but never two.
• What it could mean: They've blocked you or their phone's off, they've deleted WhatsApp, or they've got no signal.

4. WhatsApp Calls Don't Go Through

• What you might notice: Voice or video calls never connect.
• What it could mean: Either you're blocked, they've got a poor signal or they've disabled their call function.

5. You Can't Add Them to a Group

• What you might notice: You're unable to add them to a new group chat.
• What it could mean: They've blocked you or they've restricted who can add them to groups via privacy settings (e.g. Everyone, My Contacts, or My Contacts Except...).

6. No Typing, No Reactions, No Responses

• What you might notice: Total silence. No replies, no typing indicator, no emoji responses.
• What it could mean: You've been blocked, they're just taking a break from Whatsapp or maybe they're in a place with no signal.

The Best Way to Know If Someone Blocked You on WhatsApp

Looking at the above, there are lots of little signs someone may have blocked you on WhatsApp.

But if you want the most reliable, drama-free way to check, the 'delete then re-add' method is the closest thing you'll get.

Here's how to do it. 

Delete the Contact, Then Re-Add Them

Adobe Free Stock / M Alfan Setyawan

When someone blocks you on WhatsApp, you're immediately prevented from seeing any updates to their profile pictures, including new ones they add in future. 

The profile picture you will always see from then on is the one they had when the moment they blocked you,

So this means that if you delete the contact and re-add them, logically you would be denied access to their profile picture.  

It sounds more complicated than it is. But essentially, all you're doing is refreshing your connection with them on WhatsApp. 

Rest assured, this tip won't delete your chat history or conversations. They will all still be there when you re-add the contact.

Here's how the WhatsApp 'delete, re-add' method is done:

1. Delete the contact from your phone's contact record.
2. Re-add their number to your contacts.
3. Open WhatsApp, refresh your chat list and go to their profile. 

You've likely been blocked if: Their WhatsApp profile photo is blank/reset to the default graphic and you can't see their status or last seen details, it's a strong sign you've been blocked.

You probably haven't been blocked if: If you re-add the contact and can still see their profile picture in WhatsApp, they probably haven't blocked you. 

Travelling? It Might Just Be a Signal Problem

Adobe Free Stock / Alex

Before you assume someone's blocked you, remember that bad Wi-Fi or lack of data can mimic all these signs.

If they're abroad without roaming sorted, they might not be receiving messages at all.

Especially if they're relying on public Wi-Fi or intermittent connections.

A travel eSIM can fix that in seconds, keeping you connected across borders without SIM card hunting and surprise roaming bills. 

Learn more about eSIMs for travel with Airalo.

What to Do (and Not Do) If You Think You've Been Blocked

Do:

• Try the delete-and-re-add method 
• Check your own privacy settings
• Move on respectfully if it's clear they've cut contact

Don't

• Send a barrage of messages
• Create a second account to test the theory - respecting people's wishes and privacy is vital
• Assume the worst immediately - tech is messy sometimes

Final Thoughts

Can you tell if someone has blocked you on WhatsApp? Not officially, but the delete-and-re-add method is your best bet.

Combine that with other clues and you can make an educated guess without jumping to conclusions.

And remember, sometimes it's not about you. It's just poor signal, privacy preferences or a bit of quiet time.

Respecting people's space and wishes is everything when it comes to communicating in a digital world. 

FAQs - How to Know If Someone Blocked You on WhatsApp