WhatsApp API error codes explained: 131049, 131026, 131047 and more
The WhatsApp Cloud API errors a business actually meets — 131049, 131026, 131047, 131048, 131050, 131056, 132001, 131042 — what each means and what to do.
Most failed WhatsApp messages carry one of a dozen codes. 131049 means Meta held back a marketing message to protect engagement — wait 24 hours. 131047 means the 24-hour window closed — send a template. 131026 means the number can't receive it. 131042 means your WhatsApp account has no working payment method.
The common ones
| Code | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 131049 | Meta didn't deliver a marketing message "to maintain healthy ecosystem engagement" — a per-person cap on marketing messages. Applies in India. | Don't resend for at least 24 hours; retrying sooner fails again. Fewer, more relevant marketing messages. |
| 131050 | The person turned off marketing messages from you. | Don't retry. Service messages still work. |
| 131047 | More than 24 hours since the customer last wrote. | Send an approved template; free-form replies wait for them to write. |
| 131026 | Couldn't deliver — the number isn't on WhatsApp, or the person hasn't accepted WhatsApp's latest terms or updated the app. | Check the number; reach them another way. |
| 131048 | Too many earlier messages were blocked or reported as spam. | Pause marketing; check quality in WhatsApp Manager. |
| 131056 | Too many messages to the same person in a short time. | Wait before messaging that person; others are unaffected. |
| 130429 | Sending faster than your number's throughput. | Nothing — Linkubit slows down and retries. |
| 132000 / 132012 | Template parameters missing or wrongly formatted. | Fill every variable in the template's format. |
| 132001 | Template doesn't exist in that language, or isn't approved. | Check the name, language and status in Settings › Templates. |
| 131042 | Payment problem on your WhatsApp Business Account — no payment method, credit limit reached, currency not set. | Add or fix the payment method in WhatsApp Manager › Billing & payment. |
| 131031 / 368 | The account is locked or temporarily blocked for a policy breach. | See restricted or banned. |
131049 in plain words
Meta caps how many marketing messages one person receives from all businesses. When a person is at the cap, your message is held back with 131049 even though nothing is wrong with it. Marketing messages sent inside a window the person opened don't count. It is not a penalty on your account.
Sources: Meta's error codes and per-user marketing limits.
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