WhatsApp guides / Error 131049
WhatsApp error 131049: not delivered to maintain healthy ecosystem engagement
Error 131049 means Meta chose not to deliver the message "to maintain healthy ecosystem engagement". It is tied to Meta's per-user limits on marketing templates, and Meta's guidance is to wait at least 24 hours before trying that person again.
Based on Meta's official documentation, checked 18 October 2026. Sources are linked at the end; where Meta gives no fix, we do not invent one.
What Meta says it means
WhatsApp may limit how many marketing templates a person receives from any business in a period, when that person is less likely to engage. Meta says the limit depends on factors including the person's recent marketing read rate and how many messages from friends, family and businesses are in their inbox, and that it adapts automatically.
- Every delivered marketing template counts toward the limit.
- If the person replies, a 24-hour customer service window opens, and marketing messages sent inside it do not count.
- Retrying several times within 24 hours to people already at their limit can make delivery to them unavailable for up to 24 hours. Sending to other people is not affected.
- Meta also states that WhatsApp currently does not deliver marketing templates to US phone numbers.
What Meta says to do
- Wait at least 24 hours before resending the template to that person. Resending sooner only returns the error again, because the limit can last for varying periods.