---
title: "WhatsApp template rejected? How to fix and resubmit"
date: "2026-11-06"
author: RocketCart
url: "https://getrocketcart.com/docs/troubleshooting/whatsapp-template-rejected/"
type: docs
---

WhatsApp (Meta) reviews every message template before it can be sent. If it turns one down, RocketCart marks it **Rejected** and shows WhatsApp’s reason. Open the template, fix what the reason points to, and click **Submit for review** again.

## What does it look like?

On the **Recovery** page you see the banner “WhatsApp rejected your message. Edit it and submit again to start sending.” In the templates table, the language version shows a **Rejected** badge and a red mark. Hover over the mark to read the reason.

Campaigns and back-in-stock messages show a similar banner when WhatsApp rejects them.

## How do I fix and resubmit a rejected template?

1. Go to **Recovery**.
2. In the templates table, click the template to expand it.
3. Hover over the red mark next to the rejected language and note the reason.
4. Click the rejected language to open it in the editor.
5. Change the message to fix the reason.
6. Click **Submit for review**, then **Submit** in the window that opens.

The status changes to **In review**. Review usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.

## Common reasons and fixes

| Problem | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| The message starts or ends with a variable, like `{{first_name}}` | Put text before the first variable and after the last one, for example “Hi {{first_name}}, …” and end with a full sentence. |
| 4 or more spaces, or several blank lines in a row | Remove the extra spaces and empty lines. |
| The message isn’t in the language you chose | The editor asks WhatsApp to review it in the **Message language** you picked. Write the message in that language, or change the language. |
| The message reads like an aggressive ad (all caps, many exclamation marks, pressure) | Write it like a short, friendly note from your store. Start from one of the presets if you are unsure. |
| The message has too little text around the variables | Add a sentence of normal text, so the message makes sense on its own. |

RocketCart submits recovery templates to WhatsApp in the **Marketing** category. WhatsApp’s own reason text is the best guide; it often names the exact problem.

Tip

The editor flags some of these problems while you type, for example “The message can’t start with a variable — add text before it.” Fix every message shown under the text before you submit.

## What about Failed, Paused and Disabled?

| Status | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Failed** | The template never reached WhatsApp’s review, because sending it to WhatsApp went wrong | Open it and click **Submit for review** again. |
| **Paused** or **Disabled** | WhatsApp stopped an approved template, usually over quality or pacing | Open it and click **Duplicate to edit**, then submit the new version. |
| **Approved** | Ready to send. Approved templates can’t be edited. | To change the text, click **Duplicate to edit** and submit the copy. |

## Related pages

- [WhatsApp message templates](/docs/whatsapp/message-templates/)
- [WhatsApp recovery messages](/docs/recovery/whatsapp-recovery-messages/)
- [Recovery messages not sending](/docs/troubleshooting/messages-not-sending/)