If you are trying WhatsApp Cloud API for the first time, one thing is common for almost everyone:
Message not sending. Error coming. Even though everything looks correct.

At Anjok Technologies, many clients from Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Chennai come with the same problem.
So we are writing this blog to make it super clear.

🚨 Most Common Mistake – People Add Phone Number in the Test Area

When you open Meta Developer → WhatsApp → Quickstart, Meta gives one temporary test number.

That page is only for learning and testing API.
But many people try to add their own WhatsApp Business number inside that test flow.

That is where the error starts.

❌ What happens if you add your number inside test setup?

• Messages do not deliver
• Phone number does not show in “From Number” dropdown
• You get eligibility or payment error
• API responds but WhatsApp message never comes

So remember:

👉 Don’t create or use your real WhatsApp number inside the test section.
Always add your real number inside WhatsApp Business Manager.

✅ Correct Method – Add Your Number in WhatsApp Business Manager (WABA)

Follow this method. This is the correct industry method.

Step 1:

Go to business.facebook.com → Business Settings → WhatsApp Accounts

Step 2:

Select your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)

Step 3:

Go to Phone Numbers → Add Phone Number

Step 4:

Add your business number → OTP verification

Done!
Now your number will appear everywhere:

• API Dashboard
• Phone number list
• “From” number dropdown
• Cloud API Tools

This is the main fix for 70% of users.

⚠️ Error 131042 – Business Eligibility / Payment Issue

This is the second most common error.

“Message failed to send because of payment method issue.”

Many think payment is not required for Cloud API.
But for real number setup:

✔ Business should be verified
✔ Payment method should be added (credit/debit card)
✔ Billing country must match business country

How to fix this:

1️⃣ Go to business.facebook.com → Billing
2️⃣ Add payment method (any Indian International card works – Visa/Mastercard)
3️⃣ Ensure the business account is verified
4️⃣ Accept WhatsApp business terms

After adding payment method:
Message will start sending within 2–5 minutes.

📌 Important Note (Our Experience from Clients)

Many clients added number in the wrong place → API worked → but message not delivered.
Once we added number correctly inside WABA + Enabled billing → everything worked in 10 minutes.

So the issue is not API.
The issue is Meta dashboard structure confusion.

🔧 Example API Code (Simple)

Below is the code we usually show clients for testing:

POST https://graph.facebook.com/v20.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN Content-Type: application/json {  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",  "to": "91XXXXXXXXXX",  "type": "text",  "text": { "body": "Hello from Anjok Technologies!" } }

If the number + payment + verification is correct →
Message will be delivered instantly.

🟢 Final Checklist (Very Important)

Before sending any API message, make sure:

✔ Number added in Business Manager, not test area
✔ Payment method added
✔ Business verified
✔ Correct phone number ID used
✔ Permanent token or system user token created

If all this is done → 100% message will send successfully.

📞 Need WhatsApp API Integration?

Anjok Technologies helps with:

• WhatsApp Cloud API
• Green Tick Support
• Chatbots
• Flows
• E-commerce WhatsApp automation
• Business Manager Fixing

Contact: +91 80729 70517