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How to fix WhatsApp error 131026 (message undeliverable)

Error 131026 means Meta accepted the message but could not deliver it. In Conversations, open the failed message, send the same number a text-only Utility template and, from the result, work out whether the number has no WhatsApp, the customer blocked you, their app is outdated or the marketing limit was hit.

Updated on

Before you start

  • WhatsApp must be connected in Settings › WhatsApp.
  • Have the customer's number handy, with the country code.
  • Meta groups several different causes under this one code and, for privacy reasons, does not say which one applied. That is why you troubleshoot by elimination.
  • Do not resend the same message right away: if the cause is the marketing limit, it will fail again.
Where to find it

Conversations › customer's conversation › failed message › error description

Step by step

Find the cause

  1. Open Conversations, click the customer's conversation and confirm the failed message shows code 131026.
  2. Send the same number an approved Utility template with text only: no buttons, no images, no links.
  3. Read the result:
    • If the simple template arrived, the customer's WhatsApp app is outdated and cannot display buttons or files. Ask them to update it.
    • If it failed too, the number is not on WhatsApp, no longer exists, or the customer has blocked your number.
  4. Check whether the error affects only this contact or many at once. One contact: the problem is that number. Many Marketing messages: the customer already received too many marketing messages (from several businesses) and Meta held back the rest.
  5. Check the number format on the contact: country code, no spaces or extra characters.
  6. If the number is in India (+91), make sure you did not send an Authentication template: Meta does not allow it.
  7. Confirm there is no Meta outage at metastatus.com.

Fix it

  1. Number not on WhatsApp or deactivated: remove the contact from your send lists and reach them by SMS or email.
  2. Customer blocked you: stop sending; further attempts will not get through.
  3. Customer has not accepted WhatsApp's latest terms: nothing you can do on your side; they must open WhatsApp and accept.
  4. Outdated app: ask the customer to update WhatsApp, then send again.
  5. Marketing limit: wait and retry later, with increasingly longer gaps. If the message is a service notice, use a Utility template instead.
  6. Sanctioned or restricted country: remove those contacts from your lists; Meta does not deliver there.
  7. The recipient is another business using the WhatsApp API: Meta does not allow API-to-API sends. Ask them to message you first from the regular app.

Tips

  • Only message people who opted in to WhatsApp; it cuts blocks and reports.
  • Clean your list regularly: anyone who blocked you, unsubscribed or never receives should leave your sends.
  • Categorize templates correctly: a service notice marked as Marketing counts toward the customer's marketing limit.
  • Watch your template quality rating; a low rating increases delivery failures.

Common problems

  • Fails for one contact only, everyone else receives → The number is not on WhatsApp, is wrong, or the customer blocked you. Check the number and reach them another way.
  • Many marketing messages fail at once → Meta's marketing frequency limit. Wait, resend later, and use Utility for service notices.
  • Simple templates arrive but ones with buttons or images do not → The customer's app is outdated. Ask them to update.
  • Code (Authentication) template never reaches a +91 number → Hard Meta restriction. Send the code by SMS or email.

Frequently asked questions

Can I find out the exact reason for the failure?

No. Meta deliberately uses this code for several causes and does not reveal which one. The steps above help narrow it down.

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