Account on linked devices is restricted and the message status is "failed"

If you see this notice on WhatsApp Web (or in a linked API session), your number has hit a temporary restriction (soft ban).

Where you'll see it

• A banner on the "New chat" screen: "Your account on linked devices is restricted right now — You can't start new chats right now." Clicking "Show details" opens a popup with a countdown (e.g. "4 days") and an explanation of what still works.

• The label "Your account is restricted" next to contacts you haven't messaged before.

• A similar notice at the bottom of the chat window when trying to message a restricted contact.

What's blocked and what isn't

• Messaging in recent, active chats works as usual — both on your phone and through the API/WhatsApp Web

• The restriction applies to new contacts and to old contacts you haven't been in touch with for a while — WhatsApp treats a stale conversation the same as a new one, even if a chat history exists.

• It applies only to linked devices (WhatsApp Web / API). Your primary mobile app is not affected. You can message anyone from your phone with no restrictions.

What happens to a blocked message sent through the API

Sending isn't rejected right away. The message first gets a "pending" status, then later changes to "failed" — reported both via webhook and through the Get message method. The message never reaches the recipient.

Important detail

If a restricted contact messages you first, the conversation immediately becomes "active" again and you can reply and message them normally — the restriction is lifted for that specific chat.

What to do

• Stop messaging new or cold contacts while the restriction is active.

• Just wait — the restriction lifts automatically once the countdown ends;

• Existing chats keep working the whole time.

• To lower the risk of this happening again, see How to not get Banned?

Check restriction status via API

Сheck whether your account is currently restricted with: Get reachout_timelock

GET https://gate.whapi.cloud/business/limits/reachout_timelock

Example response:

{
  "is_restricted": true,
  "restricted_until": 1785962719,
  "restriction_type": "restrict_all_companions"
}

restricted_until shows when the restriction lifts. When there's no restriction:

{ "is_restricted": false,
  "restricted_until": null, 
  "restriction_type": "default"
}