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Title: WhatsApp Cloud API test messages failing with error 131031 (Business Account Locked)
Post:
Hi everyone,
I’m trying to learn n8n and WhatsApp Cloud API.
What I’ve done:
1 Created a Meta Business Portfolio.
2 Created a Meta App (Business type).
3 Added the WhatsApp product.
4 Added my phone number as the recipient.
5 Generated a new access token.
6 Used Meta’s “Test the API” page to send a sample message.
Problem:
The message never arrives on my WhatsApp.
In the WhatsApp Account settings:
Status: Connected
Quality Rating: High
But when I check the webhook payload, I get:
JSON
status: failed
code: 131031
title: Business Account locked
message: Business Account locked
details: Business account has been locked
I created the business portfolio only recently and have not sent any real messages.
Questions:
1 Why would a newly created WhatsApp Business Account be locked?
2 Is there a way to check the exact lock reason?
3 Can this be fixed by business verification or account review?
4 Has anyone faced error 131031 on a new test account?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi @Akshayn8n
Error 131031 basically means that Meta has put a “lock” on your WhatsApp Business account. This is an automated security measure, and it can happen even if you haven’t sent a single message yet. Essentially, Meta’s system flagged your account as potentially risky or incomplete, so it stopped you from sending messages until the issue is cleared up.
The most common reason for this is a missing or incomplete business profile. If you didn’t provide a working website or a legal business name in your settings, Meta’s AI often triggers this lock. In some cases, it isn’t even your fault—there is a known bug where the free “test numbers” Meta provides are locked by default or glitch out during setup.
To find the exact reason for the lock, you need to visit the “Business Support Home” or “Account Quality” section within your Meta Business Suite. This is the only place where Meta will explicitly tell you if you’ve violated a policy or if they just need more information from you. If you see a “Request Review” button there, that is your primary way to get the account unlocked.
To fix this, start by filling out every single detail in your Business Info settings, especially the website. If that doesn’t work, submit a review request through the Support Home page. If you are using a Meta test number and keep hitting this wall, the fastest solution is usually to stop using the test number and link a real phone number to the account instead.
Does that help?