Starter clicks once, engine won't start. Help.

Soooooo it started a while ago.. I ran out of gas and the engine would sputter and die out up hills, I discovered it was a clogged filter but on my way home I started it again and again, and my battery went to hell, and wouldn't hold a charge.. the engine would crank slowly or not at all. Well this kindof magically fixed itself, the engine cranked over at regular speed. Then out of nowhere (and heres my current problem) The starer just clicks onece when i turn the key, once and then nothing. I tried another battery that I know worked, same thing, and I even tried jumping the truck with said working battery. Same stupid click. I also tried tapping the starter with a hammer haha

Any info or advice would be MUCH appreciated and thanks in advance!

Check your cable condition and connections!

I did! Cable looks fine, no corrosion.. cleaned and roughed all my connections

Try jumping right at the starter terminals. That should eliminate any bad cables or bad ignition switch connections from the circuit.

Positive goes to big starter terminal, then - in neutral or park - jump that positive wire to the small terminal on the starter, and you'll know if it cranks or not real soon !!!

Ok, thanks And if this continues after that, it would be the starter? what would my steps be then? repair or replace

Yes, if battery are cables are truly OK (that's why you can also run jumper cables to the starter to try), then I'd remove the starter (disconnect battery first when doing this) and take for free testing at AutoZone, O'Reilly, or similar.

I've seen tons more electrical problems than starter problems in all my vehicles and others' over the decades though.

My own B2200 original starter/truck just passed 199K yesterday.