WhatsApp Trigger doesn’t receive incoming messages, although Meta sends the webhook successfully
Describe the problem/error/question
Hi everyone,
I’m facing an issue with the WhatsApp Trigger node in n8n. I’ve spent quite a bit of time debugging it, and it seems that Meta is successfully sending the webhook, but the WhatsApp Trigger never creates an execution.
Environment
n8n Version: 2.28.7
Installation: Local (Node.js)
Started using: n8n
Operating System: macOS
Tunnel: ngrok
WhatsApp Cloud API: Meta Test Number
Webhook: HTTPS (ngrok)
The WhatsApp Trigger never fires when I send a message from my personal WhatsApp to the Meta test number.
No execution is created.
What works
1. Webhook verification
Meta successfully verifies the callback URL.
2. Meta “Test” button
In:
Meta Developers → Webhooks → WhatsApp Business Account → Test
The POST request reaches my webhook successfully.
I can see the POST request in ngrok.
3. Incoming WhatsApp message
When I send “Hi” from my verified personal WhatsApp number to the Meta Test Number:
- Message is delivered successfully (double grey ticks)
- Meta shows the incoming webhook payload
- ngrok receives the POST request
Payload received:
{
"object": "whatsapp_business_account",
"entry": [
{
"changes": [
{
"field": "messages",
"value": {
"metadata": {
"phone_number_id": "1262521306937058"
},
"contacts": [
{
"profile": {
"name": "Venkat"
},
"wa_id": "919553532575"
}
],
"messages": [
{
"from": "919553532575",
"type": "text",
"text": {
"body": "Hi"
}
}
]
}
}
]
}
]
}
This confirms that Meta is generating the webhook correctly.
WhatsApp Trigger behavior
Execute Step
If I click Execute Step, then send a message from the WhatsApp Business Account → Message subscribe->Test
Trigger fires successfully.
Active Workflow
If I activate the workflow:
Sending the same WhatsApp message from test number, creates no execution.
Things I’ve already checked
- Updated from n8n 1.97.1 to 2.28.7
- Removed and recreated the WhatsApp Trigger
- Created a brand-new workflow
- Removed and recreated Meta webhook subscription
- Verified callback URL successfully
- Subscribed only to the
messagesfield - Generated a new Meta access token
- Verified Phone Number ID matches
- Verified recipient number is added in Meta
- ngrok receives webhook requests successfully
- Tested both Test URL and Production URL
- Restarted n8n multiple times
Strange behavior
When the workflow is activated, the WhatsApp Trigger UI often still highlights the Test URL, even after selecting the Production URL.
Also:
- Executing the node listens on
/webhook-test/... - Activating the workflow should use
/webhook/...
However, regardless of which URL is configured in Meta, incoming WhatsApp messages never create an execution in the active workflow.
Question
Has anyone experienced this?
Is there:
- a known issue with the WhatsApp Trigger in n8n 2.28.7?
- any additional configuration required for the trigger to process incoming Cloud API webhooks?
- any debug logs I should enable to determine why the webhook is ignored?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Please share your workflow
WhatsApp Trigger
↓
AI Agent
↓
WhatsApp Send Message
Share the output returned by the last node
Information on your n8n setup
- n8n version:2.28.7
- Database (default: SQLite):SQLite (default)
- n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting (default: own, main):Default (own)
- Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app):npm (installed globally and running locally via Node.js)
- Operating system:macOS Sequoia (Apple Silicon M1 Air)