Understanding Error 131064 — Messaging Limit Reached Due to Template Classification Violations
If your messages have suddenly stopped sending and you are seeing a failure notification, you are likely hitting error 131064. This article explains what this means, why it happens, and what you need to do to fix it.
What Is This Error?
Error 131064 means that your WhatsApp Business account has been temporarily restricted from sending messages. This restriction is placed by Meta when it detects that one or more of your message templates have been placed in the wrong category.
When this restriction is active, no messages go through — not template messages and not direct send messages either. Everything is paused until the issue is resolved.
Why Does This Happen?
Every WhatsApp message template must be placed in the correct category — Marketing, Utility, or Authentication. Meta reviews templates to ensure they are categorised accurately.
If Meta finds that a template is misclassified — for example, a promotional message submitted as a Utility template to avoid higher costs — it flags this as a violation. Once enough violations are detected on your account, Meta enforces a messaging limit, which is when this error appears.
This is not a technical bug. It is a compliance restriction enforced by Meta.
To understand exactly how Meta defines and enforces template category violations, refer to this guide: Understanding the Restrictions on Misuse of Template Categorisation
What Should You Do?
The first thing to do is go to your Templates section in DoubleTick and review each of your active templates. Check whether each template is in the right category.
As a quick reference:
A Marketing template is anything that promotes your business — offers, product announcements, re-engagement messages, or anything that encourages a purchase or action.
A Utility template is a transactional message tied to an existing interaction — order confirmations, delivery updates, appointment reminders, or payment receipts.
An Authentication template is used exclusively for sending OTPs or verification codes.
If you find a template that does not match its assigned category, correct the classification and resubmit it for approval.
When Will My Account Be Restored?
The good news is that this restriction is temporary. Meta automatically lifts it once the enforcement period ends. You do not need to raise a support ticket or wait for manual review — it resolves on its own once the period is over.
However, fixing your template classifications before that happens is important. If the same violations continue after the restriction is lifted, your account can be restricted again.
How to Avoid This in the Future
Before submitting any new template, ask yourself one simple question — is this message something a customer signed up to receive as part of a transaction, or is it something I am sending to promote my business or bring them back?
If it is promotional, it belongs in Marketing. If it is transactional, it belongs in Utility. When in doubt, always go with Marketing — misclassifying a marketing message as Utility is what typically triggers this violation.
Taking a few extra seconds to categorise your templates correctly will keep your account in good standing and ensure your messages reach your customers without interruption.
For a deeper understanding of how template category misuse is handled by Meta, you can read the full guide here: Understanding the Restrictions on Misuse of Template Categorisation
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