A "generic user error" means the send failed and Meta did not return a specific reason. It is a catch-all, so it has to be diagnosed by elimination โ but in practice it is almost always one of six things.
The six usual causes
- The 24-hour window expired. The customer has not replied in 24 hours and you are sending a free-form message instead of a template.
- The template is not approved. It is still in review, was rejected, or has been archived.
- The recipient is unreachable. They blocked your number, deleted WhatsApp, or their account is inactive.
- The number format is wrong. Missing country code or invalid digits.
- Your WABA is restricted or flagged. Delivery is throttled while the account is in that state.
- Token or permission problem. The access token expired or lacks permission for that phone number.
How to check, in order
- Open Meta Business Manager โ WhatsApp Accounts โ Account Status and confirm the account and number are Active, not Restricted or Disabled.
- Check the template status in WhatsApp Manager โ it must be Approved.
- Verify the recipient number with its country code.
- If the customer last replied more than 24 hours ago, switch to a template.
- If all of that is clean, reconnect the number in eGrow so a fresh token is issued.
Good to know: If the same recipient fails repeatedly while others succeed, the problem is that contact โ not your account.