How to Respond to a Dry Text from a Guy

Written by Julianne Cantarella | Edited by Kira Jan

Last Updated: April 29, 2024 Fact Checked

You’re texting a guy you like and he starts sending one-word texts, takes forever to respond, or doesn’t respond at all. All three of those things are classic signs of dry texting . Dry texting can mean that he’s not super into you, but it could also mean you just have to change up your texting strategy a bit to get him interested enough to text back . We’ll walk you through texts you can send to fix a dry text conversation, check his interest, and know when to leave the conversation. Read on for a list of ways you can respond when a guy sends you a dry text!

This article is based on an interview with our professional dating coach and licensed social worker, Julianne Cantarella. Check out the full interview here.

Best Ways to Respond to a Dry Texter

Pinpoint the reason behind his dry texting.
Restart the conversation by bringing up his interests.
Use a playful question to fix a texting rut.
Mention a fun memory to remind him of your connection.
Send a photo to give you more to talk about.

1

Pinpoint the reason behind his dry texting.

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He might be busy, he might not like texting, or he might not be into you . Dry texting is incredibly frustrating, but try to be patient for the first couple of short texts or long response times. If he starts the conversation up again or starts sending more detailed messages, he was probably just busy. However, if you notice a pattern of dry texts, ask yourself these questions:
- How often does he initiate the conversation? If you’re the one consistently sending the first message, he may not be interested in you. That’s his loss!
- How does he communicate in real life? Is he a chatty guy or more reserved? He might be a shy guy or an introvert who doesn’t feel like engaging in small talk. Try out a few of the conversation starters below to see if you can pique his interest.
- Has he ever sent longer texts? He might be having a bad day if his texts have gone dry. Think back to the last time you interacted, too, and ask yourself if you did anything to upset him. If not, give him some space and see if he starts texting again.
- When do his texts usually go dry? For instance, do his texts get shorter when you bring up a certain subject? He might prefer talking at a certain time of day or about certain subjects. Shake up the conversation, and see if you can get him to text back with better responses.