Messages not sending or not arriving: a checklist, in order
"The message didn't go" is not one fault but the shared name of several situations. Most of the time the cause is the 24-hour window or an unapproved template; less often it is the number, billing or quality. Work through the list below in order; each step says what you will see and who fixes it.
The two most common reasons an outgoing message fails: the customer has not written in the last 24 hours (a free-form message will not go, a template is needed) or the template used is not approved. Rarer causes are the recipient's number, sending limits, the payment method and account restrictions. Chatinbox reads the error code; template and limit decisions are Meta's.
What you provide
- Which number it went to, and when
- The message type: free-form text or template
- The error code, if one is shown
What Chatinbox does
- Reads the error code and tells you the cause
- Fixes it if it is a template or settings issue
- Handles the request if Meta's side is involved
- A 6-step check for outgoing messages
- Where to look when an incoming message is missing
- The most common error codes and what they mean
If an outgoing message does not send
Did the customer write to you in the last 24 hours?
If not, a free-form message will not go through; that is the rule, not a fault. Error code 131047 says exactly this. The fix: send an approved template. Details: the 24-hour window.
Meta sets the ruleIf you used a template, is it approved and in the right language?
A template that was rejected, is still in review or is registered in a different language will not send (code 132001). Nor will one whose variable count does not match (code 132000). A template paused for low quality shows code 132015.
Chatinbox fixes itIs the number on WhatsApp?
If the recipient's number is not registered on WhatsApp, runs an old version or has not accepted the current terms, the message cannot be delivered (code 131026). Check the country code and the number; if the problem is on the recipient's side there is nothing to do.
Too many messages to the same person?
Meta withholds some marketing messages to protect the recipient (code 131049) and stops delivery when too many messages go to one person in a short time (code 131056). Waiting a day and trying again is the only option.
Meta decidesDid a bulk send hit a limit?
Every number has a daily limit on conversations it can start and a per-second rate limit. Beyond them, messages fail (code 130429). The limit grows over time with the quality rating; split the campaign into batches.
Payment method and account status
If there is no payment method for paid messages, or the limit is used up, sending stops (code 131042). An account restricted for a policy violation sends nothing at all (code 131031). Both are tracked in Meta Business Manager.
Chatinbox handles the requestIf an incoming message is missing
Check these first
- The message may have been routed to another agent or team; filter closed and assigned conversations too
- If the number has moved to the API, the phone app no longer works with it and messages land in the panel; if the move is not finished, messages are still on the phone
- For Instagram messages, the account's permission setting: connecting Instagram DM
These are not faults
- The customer may have written to another of your numbers or an old one; verify the number, not the display name
- If no "read" status arrives, the customer may have turned read receipts off; it does not mean the message was not delivered
- On Instagram, request-folder messages inactive for more than 30 days are not returned by the API
The most common error codes
Rule and template related
- 131047 — more than 24 hours have passed; a template is needed
- 132001 — template missing, not approved or not registered in this language
- 132000 — template variable count does not match
- 132015 — template paused for quality reasons
Recipient, limit and account related
- 131026 — cannot be delivered to the recipient (no WhatsApp / old version)
- 131049 — Meta chose not to deliver (marketing protection)
- 130429 — rate limit exceeded
- 131042 — payment method problem
- 131031 — account restricted
Finished the list and the problem is still there?
Write to us with the send time, the number and the error code if you have one; we will find the step it is stuck on together.
Meta's error codes and limit rules can change. This page was checked against Meta's official documentation on 17 August 2026.
