USPS Tracking Not Updating? Here Is Why & 4 Steps To Solve It

Here, we have mentioned some quick and simple steps that you can undertake to inquire about your mail item if your USPS tracking has not been updated.

Contact the Post Office Customer Service

The easiest and fastest way to inquire about your USPS tracking not updating after drop-off is to call the Post Office directly. This option is also viable for those mailers who have several additional queries or need to offer extra details about their package.

The USPS asks mailers to call the number—1800 275 8777 to get in touch with their customer support team. It enables you to discuss your situation in-depth, give your tracking number, and let them provide you with some information regarding your mail. The USPS representative on call may ask you to wait for a couple of minutes or even tell you that they will update you in 24-48 hours. It depends on the available tracking information they have at their disposal.

There are two more phone numbers where you can call—1800 344 7779 for technical support and 1800 222 1811 for delivery tracking. Calling on any of these numbers or emailing at the email address provided on the USPS website can help you understand why your USPS tracking not updating in 2025.

Wait a Few Days

Often, there is no need to worry about the USPS tracking not updating today. As discussed above, the reasons can be minor, like delayed scanning. Thus, if your status isn't updated at the moment, it might be done after a few hours. You can check back later to see if there have been any changes.

It is advisable to wait for at least five working days before contacting the USPS regarding the USPS tracking not updating in transit arriving late. Your mailpiece may likely show up in a few days, or the tracking information may get updated at the very least.

Visit Your Local Post Office

If you want to have a face-to-face conversation with a postal worker and ask them why your USPS tracking not updating, going to the Post Office is your best bet. Some people may prefer this option as they might feel that they might get more speedy answers this way. Furthermore, it is a good option if you have a Post Office not far away from your residence or office.

But, remember to carry your mailing receipt to help the person behind the counter provide you with your package details. Without a tracking number, they cannot search for your item on their system and tell you where it is.

If you don’t have the time to visit the Post Office, you can stick with the above two options. Either way, try to be patient as the USPS deals with a large volume of items each day, and a few drawbacks should be negligible.

File a Missing Mail Search Request With the USPS

According to USPS, you should file a Missing Mail Search Request if you don’t get any regulation after seven business days of contacting them. This will prompt the postal service to initiate an active search for your package across its facilities. You might have to upload the package details, including photos or content descriptions. The National Recovery Center is responsible for cataloging all the lost items.

File a Claim 

Filing an indemnity claim with the USPS is the last step you can take when the package is officially declared lost or damaged. It works as a financial safety net for insured shipments. However, there are strict eligibility windows that determine when you can act. This table will help you understand these windows better: 

Mail Service	No Sooner Than	No Later Than
Priority Mail Express	7 Days	60 Days
Priority Mail Express COD	15 Days	60 Days
Registered Mail	15 Days	60 Days
Registered COD	15 Days	60 Days
Insured Mail (Including Priority Mail)	15 Days	60 Days
COD	15 Days	60 Days
APO/FPO Priority Mail Express Military Service	21 Days	180 Days
APO/FPO/DPO Insured Mail and Registered Mail	45 Days	1 Year
APO/FPO/DPO Insured Mail (Surface Only)	75 Days	1 Year

Source: USPS 

You must provide complete evidence for successful claims. This would include the tracking number, original mailing receipt, and proof of the item’s value (invoice). After all, USPS doesn’t reimburse for any loss without proper verification. 

USPS Tracking Isn’t Updating: What to Do Now Checklist

• Wait 1-5 Working Days 
• Verify Your Tracking Number 
• Use Text Tracking 
• Check for Delivery Slips 
• Check “Informed Delivery” 
• Call Customer Service 
• Visit Your Local Post Office
• File a “Missing Mail Search Request” 
• File an Indemnity Claim

Ensure That You Are Entering the Correct Tracking Number

You should text your tracking number to 28777 (2USPS) if online tracking is not working. Sometimes the USPS SMS system pushes an update that isn’t yet visible on their online interface.

Having the correct tracking number is crucial to knowing your delivery status. Often, we enter an incorrect tracking number mistakenly, which is why your status shows as invalid or not updated. Therefore, if your USPS tracking not updating for a week, cross-check your tracking number and see if you have been entering the correct one on the USPS website.

Always refer to your confirmation email and USPS mailing receipt to check your tracking number. It should be a 20-22 digit long number without any alphabet or symbol. The tracking number for an Express Mail item begins with two alphabets and ends with ‘US.’ Also, remember that Express Mail tracking numbers are only 13 characters long.

If the carrier cannot deliver your item, they might leave an orange slip on your doorstep. This slip also contains the tracking number, which you can enter on the USPS website to learn your item’s delivery information. Look out for such notices if your USPS tracking not updating for several days.

Luckily, PostGrid’s direct mail API helps you track all your sent mail in one go and offers a consolidated view of your delivery statuses. Hence, there is no scope for any manual mistake, and you can access accurate information at any time you need.

Check Informed Delivery 

You should sign up or log in to your USPS Informed Delivery account. It will give you access to a more comprehensive dashboard of every incoming mail to your address. This system doesn’t rely on only barcode scans at specific checkpoints. You might get access to ghost data that the public tracker might miss. This dashboard can work as a secondary verification layer for better reassurance of your packages.  

Uncommon Scenarios and Lesser-Known Tips for Dealing With USPS Tracking Issues

Package is Stuck on Pre-Shipment Status

This happens when the label is created, but USPS has not received the package or it missed the initial scanning. Even if the tracking number is active, USPS can not track a package that it does not physically have. We recommend contacting the party that created the label. It is possible that they haven't dropped the item off at the USPS facility.

The package was Misdelivered

GPS coordinates from the scanner may sometimes show incorrect information, especially for apartment buildings or multi-story complexes. The package might get delivered to the wrong address. Our advice is to request GPS scan data by contacting the USPS customer service or visiting the local post office. They will check where the delivered scan took place, which will help determine if the package was misdelivered in the area.

Scan is Stuck Between 2 Locations

This happens when the package gets caught in the logistics loop, which could be due to a routing error or an incorrect barcode. We recommend that you file and submit a Help Request form. This will alert your post office, and they will take the necessary action.

Shipping Label Created, Awaiting Item

Sometimes, sellers pre-purchase shipping labels way ahead of actually shipping the item. In this case, you might see this message for a long time. USPS may miss it or fail to update the current status. In such a situation, our advice is to track the package using third-party service providers that can pull the data that USPS might have missed. 💡Also Read: Best Direct Mail Marketing Companies