WhatsApp Business API Error: Generic user error

⚠️ Overview

When sending a message or testing a template in your WhatsApp Business API (WABA), you might see this error:

This message means that something went wrong during the message delivery, but Meta’s API didn’t return a specific reason.
It’s a generic or catch-all error, often linked to the recipient’s WhatsApp account, template configuration, or message timing.

🔍 Common Causes

1. 🕐 24-hour session window expired

   • The customer hasn’t replied to your last message within 24 hours, and you’re trying to send a free-form message instead of a template.

2. 📩 Template or message not approved

   • The template you’re sending might still be in review, rejected, or archived in your WABA manager.

3. 🚫 Recipient not reachable or blocked

   • The customer may have blocked your number, deleted WhatsApp, or their account is temporarily inactive.

4. 🔢 Incorrect number format

   • The recipient’s phone number doesn’t include the correct country code or has invalid digits.

5. 🧾 WABA status or quality issue

   • Your WhatsApp Business Account could be in a Restricted or Flagged state, temporarily affecting message delivery.

6. 🔐 Permission or token issue

   • The access token you’re using might be expired or doesn’t have permission to send messages from that phone number.

🧰 How to Fix It

✅ Step 1: Check your WABA and number status

• Go to Meta Business Manager → WhatsApp Accounts → Account Status.

• Make sure your account and number are Active (not Restricted or Disabled).

✅ Step 2: Verify message type

• If sending after 24h, use an approved message template instead of a session message.

✅ Step 3: Check template approval

• Go to Message Templates → Confirm the template is Approved and in Active status.

✅ Step 4: Confirm recipient number

• Ensure the phone number is valid and includes the country code (e.g. +2126xxxxxxx).

✅ Step 5: Renew your access token

• If you’re using an API integration, generate a new permanent access token and test again.

✅ Step 6: Try another test number

• Send the same message to another WhatsApp number to confirm whether the issue is user-specific.

🛡️ How to Avoid This Error in the Future

• Always send template messages after 24 hours of no response.

• Keep your WABA and templates approved and active.

• Regularly refresh your access token and verify your webhook setup.

• Avoid sending messages to numbers that haven’t opted in.

• Monitor WABA quality rating from the Account Overview section.

🧾 References

• 🔗 Meta Business Help Center – Message Sending Errors

• 🔗 WhatsApp Business Platform Error Codes Documentation

• 🔗 WABA Message Template Guidelines