Why is My USPS Tracking Not Updating?
Why is my USPS tracking not updating? If you send a package to a client, and they cannot monitor where the package is or if it has arrived, it is usually a messy situation.
For many years, USPS has been in the package delivery industry.
Customers count on USPS to track their deliveries and make sure they get there on time and in excellent condition.
When the tracking information is not updated, it can get you worried, especially if the client who ordered the package needs it quickly.
So, let’s find out what could make USPS not update your package tracking information and what can be done in such instances.
Why is My USPS Tracking Not Updating?
There are reasons your USPS tracking information is not reflecting on your laptop or phone’s screen.
They are:
1. Missing Package
Unfortunately, USPS is unable to deliver every piece of mail to its intended location.
Some packages are misplaced or lost in transit, especially when they are shipped to the wrong address.
Mail with incorrect or invalid addresses is more likely to be lost since it has no clear destination. They may cause delays and letter returns.
But occasionally, you might not be so lucky, and your things might disappear because the address was entered incorrectly.
2. Delay from the Carrier
A record-breaking volume of mail and personnel issues has caused USPS to experience long systemic delays in recent years.
This explains why your USPS tracking information hasn’t been updated. It could be that the system is simply moving slowly.
Especially in November and December, USPS delays are a regular occurrence throughout the holiday season.
It’s safe to assume that you’re not the only one having trouble tracking throughout these months.
3. Your Package Has Been Delivered
It’s possible that the item has already been delivered if your USPS tracking hasn’t been updated in a while.
Normally, your carrier must change the status of the item to “Delivered” as soon as they deliver it to the resident or place it in their mailbox. Postal workers frequently overlook updating your delivery status, though.
Given that the status would finally be updated, if your USPS tracking is not updating but is showing “delivered,” the situation is not too problematic.
Usually, Out for Delivery‘ will appear on the website in a few hours, so you can wait. Or, you can get in touch with the recipient and ask them if they received their package.
4. Terrible Weather
If the USPS tracking is not updating, it can be because bad weather prevented the information from being updated.
Weather conditions really affect USPS since it depends on both land and air freight transportation.
Your mail or parcel may take longer to get to the next station due to the weather.
Also, barcodes can become damaged by terrible weather and become difficult to scan.
5. No Scanning or Update of Your Package
Your parcel might not have been scanned at a checkpoint, which is another reason your USPS tracking information isn’t updating.
Every piece of mail is thoroughly scanned by the USPS at every site. However, a few things are still missing. The USPS updates the information of various pallets or groups of mailpieces at once via batch scanning.
However, when your packages arrive at a postal outlet, postal workers may not always scan them. They might do it right before they leave, which would postpone updating the delivery statuses.
Try to check back again a few hours later if your USPS tracking isn’t updated after sending things by Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express.
What Should I Do if My USPS Tracking is Not Updating?
If you find yourself in a situation where your USPS tracking is not updating, then you should do the following:
1. Reach Out to a Customer Care Representative
Calling the USPS service hotline(1-800-275-8777) will get you the assistance you need quickly.
By calling this official USPS number, you can speak with a representative who can assist you in obtaining correct and accurate information.
If you need technical support, you can still call (1-800-344-7779) or reach out to the delivery tracking team(1-800-222-1811).
2. Go to Your Local Post Office
For reliable information regarding your package delivery, you can also physically visit your local post office.
Considering that you can speak with someone in person, this is the best option to get answers. You can always phone them if you’re not ready to go to the post office.
A quick Google search will help you find the phone number for your local post office. Just be sure you dial the regional line rather than the USPS hotline.
3. Be Patient
There is no reason to be concerned if the USPS tracking is not updated. It can be a little issue like a scanning delay.
So, if USPS has not updated your status, they will after some hours.
Before contacting them about the USPS tracking not updating, it is suggested to wait at least five working days.
Can USPS Deliver But Not Update Tracking?
Yes. Occasionally, parcels are delivered by USPS even when the delivery person did not scan the item.
These mistakes happen since packages are delivered by people.
Despite the fact that the shipment was delivered in this situation, you won’t get a delivery update on your tracking information.
What if USPS Delivers my Package to the Wrong Address?
It is difficult to tell if USPS delivers your package to the wrong location unless you contact the Post Office with your tracking number.
You can call the Post Office to ask if your USPS tracking isn’t updating and your package hasn’t arrived at your address.
A USPS supervisor will find out where your package was scanned last with the use of GPS postal scanners.
However, there is little you can do if your package has not been recently scanned. All you can do is hope that the recipient will report the package to the Post Office.
How Long Will USPS Take to Update Tracking?
The USPS usually updates your status in 24 to 48 hours. When tracking your package, you should be ready with your tracking information.
Normally, USPS assigns a tracking number to each package. The tracking number on the USPS delivery label is updated following each scan.
The receiver is kept up to date on the status of the package through tracking.
You cannot follow the package in real-time like you can with other carriers, even though USPS shipment tracking is updated each time your package enters a new facility or is put onto a truck.
The shipment will stop more often and receive updates more regularly if it is going to a faraway place.
Meanwhile, your package may only be updated once or twice before it is delivered if it is coming from a nearby area.
Will USPS Update my Tracking Information after Drop-off?
Yes, USPS will update your tracking status to ” delivered” after dropping off the package at your doorstep.
It’s likely that your package hasn’t been scanned yet if you dropped it off and haven’t heard anything.
If you deliver a package after business hours, the Postal Service won’t scan it until the following day.
Sometimes, if your parcel is waiting in line at a USPS facility or the postal workers who scan the packages were busy that day, it might not be updated after you drop it off.
If they didn’t scan, it would take a few days until the initial scan showed up, and the package would be marked as “In Transit.”
What Can I Do to Avoid Late Tracking Updates?
There are a couple of things you should do if you want to totally avoid the anxiety that comes with not seeing your tracking updates.
Some are:
1. Confirmation of Signature
While Signature Confirmation is excellent at assuring that you’ll receive a secure delivery, it won’t necessarily increase your in-transit tracking updates.
It only helps customers to be sure that their packages won’t be delivered unless someone can accept them personally and sign for them.
As a result, there is zero chance that a package will be taken off a front porch or delivered without being scanned.
2. Priority Mail Express
Although the delivery method you select for your package shouldn’t really matter, Priority Mail Express provides more up-to-date tracking information than products shipped using less expensive shipping.
This is because Priority Mail Express items are given top priority at the start of each business day.
In other words, these parcels come first and are the ones that are handled, scanned, loaded, and delivered.
3. Certified Mail
Similar to Signature Confirmation, Certified Mail can assist in making sure that your parcel is delivered safely.
To prove they sent the package, the sender receives a mailing receipt from Certified Mail.
Therefore, Certified Mail can clear up any uncertainty in this regard for recipients who are unsure whether their senders actually mailed their packages.
4. Informed Delivery
Signing up for Informed Delivery is the greatest way to guarantee accurate and current tracking information for USPS parcels, especially if you’re the recipient.
You may view and track most parcels and mail sent to your mailing address with Informed Delivery.
It is a personal account linked to your home or business mailing address.
Not knowing where your package is can throw you off balance, but you just have to be calm and wait.
You can always reach out to the customer care representative, who will always answer any questions you might have.
