Something isn't working

My WhatsApp message would not send

Nearly always the 24-hour rule or an unapproved template.

WhatsApp is stricter than email, and the two rules below are Meta's, not ours — we cannot switch them off.

The 24-hour rule

You can only send a free-text message to someone within 24 hours of their last message to you. Outside that window, a plain reply will not go, no matter what it says.

Outside the window you must send an approved template instead. Once they reply to it, the 24 hours restarts and you can type freely again.

The template must be approved by Meta

1. Templates are created and approved in Meta, not here. Open WhatsApp → Templates and use Create in Meta.
2. After Meta approves it, come back and click Sync Meta — until you sync, the platform does not know it exists.
3. Only templates showing as approved can be sent.

Is the number still connected?

Open WhatsApp → Settings. If it offers Connect with Facebook, the number is not connected and nothing will send.