WhatsApp Business account restricted or banned: why, and how to appeal
Meta's enforcement ladder for WhatsApp Business API accounts — warning, messaging blocks, lock, disable — where to see it, and how to request a review.
Meta enforces policy in steps: a warning, a 1–3 day block on messages you start, a 5–30 day block on all messaging, an account lock, and finally disablement. You see it in Business Support Home, WhatsApp Manager and by email. To appeal: Business Support Home › the violation › Request review. Meta usually answers in 24–48 hours.
The steps Meta takes
- A warning.
- A 1- or 3-day block on business-initiated messages (marketing, utility, authentication). Replies to customers still work.
- A 5-, 7- or 30-day block on all messaging.
- An account lock — indefinite, lifted only by appeal.
- Permanent disablement.
Scams, child exploitation, terrorism and illegal drug sales skip the ladder and lead to removal. In Linkubit, a blocked account shows up as messages failing and campaigns waiting.
What usually causes it
- Messaging people who never opted in, or not honouring an opt-out or block.
- Templates in the wrong category — promotion sent as "Utility".
- Restricted products: alcohol, tobacco, gambling, adult content, unsafe supplements.
- Automation with no way to reach a person — Meta's policy requires a clear path to a human.
Appeal
- Open Business Support Home in Meta Business Suite (also linked from the banner in WhatsApp Manager and the admin email).
- Choose the violation and press Request review, explain what happened and what you changed, and submit.
- The decision usually takes 24–48 hours: Unchanged or Reversed. Not every spam violation can be appealed.
Write to help@linkubit.com while you wait — we can check which messages were reported and tighten the rules that sent them. (Meta: policy enforcement)
Related
Stuck? Write to help@linkubit.com with the screen you are on and what it says. Not using Linkubit yet? Start free — fourteen days of Pro, no card.