# When your WhatsApp account is restricted Meta enforces its WhatsApp Business rules on every Official WhatsApp API account. It usually warns first, then blocks some or all sending for a few days, and only disables an account after repeated problems. This page explains each step, how to request a review, and what to change so it does not happen again. **Note**: This page is about the Official WhatsApp API. If your number is linked with **Normal WhatsApp Web Link** and WhatsApp banned the phone number itself, see [How to request for review to unban their account](/miscellaneous/whatsapp-ultimate-guide/how-to-request-for-review-to-unban-their-account). ## How you find out ![A red notice from Meta at the top of an inbox's Settings tab](../../.gitbook/assets/guides/meta-notices-red-banner.jpg){ width="900" } 1. In Mampu AI, a red **WhatsApp account restricted** or **disabled** notice appears on the inbox's **Settings** tab, and your administrators get an email. See [Notices from Meta about your inbox](/settings/notices-from-meta). 2. Meta also emails the admins of your Meta business, and shows a banner in WhatsApp Manager and a notification in Meta Business Suite. 3. Messages you send start failing with **131031: Account has been locked** or similar. See [Why a WhatsApp message failed](/settings/whatsapp-message-errors). ## What each step means ### Warning **What it means:** Meta found a policy issue and tells you which policy. Nothing is blocked yet. **What to do:** Read the warning in Business Support Home and fix what it names before it happens again. ### Template block for 1 or 3 days **What it means:** You cannot send marketing, utility or authentication templates, or add numbers to the account. Replies inside a customer's 24-hour reply window still go out. **What to do:** Pause blasts and follow-ups until the block ends. Request a review if you believe it is wrong. ### Full block for 5, 7 or 30 days **What it means:** You cannot send any messages, including replies, or add numbers. **What to do:** Tell your team that customers will not get replies on this number for now, and request a review if you believe it is wrong. ### Account locked **What it means:** Sending is blocked with no end date. Only a successful review lifts it. **What to do:** Request a review in Business Support Home. ### Account disabled **What it means:** Meta removed the account from the WhatsApp Business Platform after repeated warnings, or at once for severe harm such as scams. **What to do:** Request a review if the option is offered. Meta decides; Mampu AI cannot reverse it. ## Request a review 1. Open [Meta Business Suite](https://business.facebook.com), click **All tools**, then **Business Support Home**. 2. Select the WhatsApp Business Account with the issue. 3. Open the violation, read what Meta found, and choose to request a review. For some issues you can acknowledge it instead. 4. Explain briefly why your messages follow the rules, for example that customers opted in. Meta sends its decision through Meta Business Suite, typically within 24 to 48 hours. The violation is then either **Reversed**, and the account goes back to how it was, or **Unchanged**. **Note**: Not every spam violation can be appealed. If the option is missing, wait for the block to end and change how you send. ## What usually causes it 1. Spam: messages to people who did not ask for them, or too many messages to the same people. 2. Templates in the wrong category, such as a promotion submitted as a utility template. 3. Selling in categories Meta restricts, such as adult content, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling or unsafe supplements. 4. Many customers blocking or reporting your number. ## Avoid it next time 1. Message only customers who agreed to hear from you, and keep a note of how they agreed. 2. Choose the honest template category. See [Creating WhatsApp message templates](/settings/creating-whatsapp-message-templates). 3. Space out promotions and give an easy way to stop. 4. Watch your quality rating. See [WhatsApp messaging limits and quality rating](/settings/whatsapp-messaging-limits-and-quality). ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does a review take? Meta typically decides within 24 to 48 hours and tells you in Meta Business Suite. ### Can Mampu AI lift the restriction? No. Only Meta can. We can help you read the notice and prepare your review request. ### What happens if Meta keeps the violation? The block stays until it ends on its own. Further violations lead to longer blocks, so change how you send before the next blast. ### Do customers still reach me during a template block? Yes. Customers can still write to you, and you can reply inside their 24-hour reply window. Only a full block stops replies. ## Related * [Notices from Meta about your inbox](/settings/notices-from-meta) * [Why a WhatsApp message failed](/settings/whatsapp-message-errors) * [WhatsApp messaging limits and quality rating](/settings/whatsapp-messaging-limits-and-quality) * [Creating WhatsApp message templates](/settings/creating-whatsapp-message-templates) From Meta: * [Policy and spam enforcement](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/policy-enforcement) * [Policy violations](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/policy-enforcement-violations/) --- Source: https://help.mampuai.com/settings/whatsapp-account-restricted