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How to troubleshoot WhatsApp: common issues and fixes
Integrations

How to troubleshoot WhatsApp: common issues and fixes

Dawid Lokś
Dawid Lokś
4 min read
Jun 18, 2026

The WhatsApp integration connects your WhatsApp numbers to Text, so you can manage customer conversations from one inbox. If something stops working, WhatsApp errors usually fall into one of three categories: fatal, temporary, or context-limited. Each type points to a different issue and requires a different solution.

How to handle fatal errors

Fatal errors mean the WhatsApp integration has been disconnected or blocked. Messaging won't resume until the issue is resolved on Meta's end or the integration is reconnected. While a fatal error is active, all WhatsApp messaging is paused for both sending and receiving.

Error

Code

What it means

What to do

Token invalid or expired

0, 3, 10, 190, 200-299, 131005

The access token used to authenticate the WhatsApp integration is invalid, expired, or missing required permissions. This can happen after a password change, prolonged inactivity, or a permissions change on the Meta side.

Reconnect WhatsApp from Text settings to generate a fresh token and reauthorize the required permissions. Agents will be unable to send or receive messages until the integration is restored.

Account restricted by Meta

368, 131031

Your WhatsApp account has been restricted or locked by Meta due to a policy violation. Messaging is paused for both sending and receiving until the restriction is lifted.

Go to WhatsApp Manager to review and resolve the policy issue. Messaging will remain unavailable until Meta lifts the restriction.

Billing or payment issue

131042

There is a billing or payment issue with your Meta account that is preventing outbound messaging. Inbound messages may also be affected.

Go to WhatsApp Manager to review your billing details and resolve the payment issue. Messaging will resume once the account is in good standing.

Phone number disconnected

-

A specific WhatsApp phone number linked to the integration has been disconnected. Messaging for that number is paused until it is reconnected.

Reconnect the affected phone number from Text settings. Agents will be unable to send or receive messages on that number until it is restored.

Multiple phone numbers disconnected

-

Several WhatsApp phone numbers linked to the integration have been disconnected simultaneously. Messaging is paused across all affected numbers.

Go to WhatsApp settings in Text and reconnect each affected number. Messaging will remain unavailable on disconnected numbers until each one is restored.

How to handle temporary errors

Temporary errors mean a message failed to send right now, but the issue is likely to resolve on its own. You'll see a Not sent indicator on the failed message — click Retry or Try again to resend.

Error

Code

What it means

What to do

Rate limit reached

4, 80007, 130429

Your account has hit WhatsApp's messaging rate limit. The message could not be sent.

Wait and try again. The limit resets automatically. If this happens frequently, review your messaging volume and patterns.

Too many messages to the same recipient

131056

You have sent too many messages to the same customer in a short period, exceeding the per-recipient limit set by WhatsApp.

Wait before sending another message to this customer. The limit resets automatically.

Account in maintenance mode

2494100, 131057

WhatsApp is temporarily unavailable due to maintenance on Meta's side. This is not specific to your account.

Wait and try again. No action is needed on your end — the issue resolves once Meta's maintenance is complete.

Unknown or server error

1, 131000

An unexpected error occurred on Meta's side. The cause is unspecified.

Try sending the message again. If the error persists, check the WhatsApp Business Status page or contact support.

Service unavailable

131016, 133004

WhatsApp's messaging service is temporarily unavailable.

Check the WhatsApp Business Status page for any active incidents. Try again once the service is restored.

Temporary errors are the only error type where retrying makes sense. For fatal or context-limited errors, retrying the message won't help — those require a different fix.

How to handle context-limited errors

Context-limited errors mean a message can't be sent because of the state of the conversation. During a context-limited error, the reply box is disabled until the conversation state changes.

Error

Code

What it means

What to do

24-hour reply window expired

131047

The 24-hour reply window for this conversation has closed. WhatsApp only allows replies within 24 hours of the customer's last message.

You can no longer send a free-form reply to this customer. To reopen the conversation, send a pre-approved message template.

Message undeliverable

131026

The message could not be delivered due to an issue on the customer's end — such as their device, app version, or account status.

No action is required on your end. The customer may need to check their device or WhatsApp app. You can try sending again later.

Spam or quality limits

131048, 131064

The message was blocked by WhatsApp because it was flagged for spam or your account has hit quality-based sending limits.

Review your messaging practices to ensure compliance with WhatsApp's policies. Avoid sending unsolicited or repetitive messages.

Media download failed

131052

An incoming media file could not be downloaded from the customer.

Ask the customer to resend the file. If the issue persists, they may need to check their connection or try a different file format.

Media upload failed

131053

A media file you attempted to send could not be uploaded to WhatsApp.

Check that the file meets WhatsApp's supported media types and size limits, then try again.