This tutorial will help you if, when trying to send messages with WhatSender, WhatsApp Web redirects you to a page such as api.whatsapp or shows you a message related to downloading WhatsApp.
This problem usually happens when your database contains incorrect, incomplete numbers or numbers without a valid prefix.
This is not a WhatSender error. The extension tries to send the message to the number you added, but if that number does not exist or does not have a valid WhatsApp format, WhatsApp cannot process it correctly.
Why does this problem happen?
This error usually appears when one or more numbers in your database:
- Are not real phone numbers.
- Are incomplete.
- Do not include the country prefix.
- Contain incorrect characters.
- Start with values such as 100, 101, 102, 103, or similar, which do not correspond to a valid prefix accepted by WhatsApp.
For example, a number that starts with 100 or 103 usually does not have a valid international prefix. In that case, WhatsApp may not recognize it as a phone number and may redirect you outside WhatsApp Web.
Examples of incorrect numbers
These numbers may generate errors:
10055642075178
100721915629675
10098105688249
102422252925136
103336963481638
What should a correct number look like?
Numbers must have:
- Only digits.
- The international country prefix.
- No spaces.
- No + signs.
- No parentheses.
- No hyphens.
- No dots or special characters.
For example:
For Colombia, the number must include the prefix 57:
573235997687
For Spain, the number must include the prefix 34:
34674872985
The number should not be written like this:
+57 323 599 7687
(57) 3235997687
57-323-599-7687
Solution 1: review your database before sending
Before copying your contacts into WhatSender, review your database.
Look for numbers that:
- Start with 100, 101, 102, 103, or similar.
- Are too long or too short.
- Do not have a country prefix.
- Contain letters, spaces, signs, or symbols.
If you find this type of data, correct it or remove it before sending.
Solution 2: remove incorrect contacts from WhatSender
If you have already copied the contacts into WhatSender and you see incorrect numbers in the list, you can remove them directly from the extension.
To do this:
- Find the incorrect number in the contact list.
- Check if it starts with 100, 10X, or has a strange format.
- Click the delete icon next to that contact.
- Continue reviewing the list before clicking Send.
If you have many contacts, it is best to correct them directly in your original database before importing them again.
Solution 3: add the correct prefix
If the numbers are real but are missing the country prefix, you need to add it before sending.
You can do this in two ways:
Add the prefix directly in your database.
Use the general prefix inside WhatSender if all contacts are from the same country.
Important: do not use both options at the same time. If you add the prefix in your database and also activate a general prefix in WhatSender, the number may end up duplicated and fail.
For example, if you use Colombia’s general prefix 57, the numbers in your list should look like this:
3235997687
3217895250
3249381437
But if you do not use a general prefix, they should look like this:
573235997687
573217895250
573249381437
Learn more about failed messages
This problem is related to number formatting and can cause failed messages.
You can review this guide to learn more about how to prepare your database correctly:
https://support.what-sender.com/en/how-to-resolve-failed-messages-in-whatsender/
We especially recommend reviewing the section about number format and prefixes.
Still need help?
If the problem continues after reviewing your database, we can review your case individually.
To help you better, we need you to send us a video showing the problem. Without a visual reference, it is difficult to identify what is going wrong.
In the video, we need to clearly see:
- How you import or copy the contacts into WhatSender. It is important that the numbers are clearly visible.
- How your User tab is configured. Please scroll down so we can see the full configuration, especially the preferences and advanced settings sections.
- How you write and configure the message before sending it.
- How you upload the attachment.
- What type of file you are sending and, if possible, how large it is.
- What happens during the sending process in the History tab. This tab must be open and visible, not minimized.
To record the video, you can use a free tool such as Loom. Here is the tutorial with the instructions: how to send help videos.
Before sending us the video, please review it. If you cannot clearly see the extension, the configuration, the attachment, and the actions you are taking, we will not be able to see them clearly either.
You can also send us the attachment you are trying to use, screenshots if any alert appears, and any additional information that can help us review the case.
Then, send us the video through our contact form: contact support.
Our team will review your case and reply within approximately 1 to 2 business days, Monday to Friday.