Why Your WhatsApp Business Account Isn’t Upgrading to 10K Messages – And How to Fix It
WhatsApp has become one of the most powerful platforms for businesses to connect with customers. However, many business owners face the challenge of being stuck at the 1,000 daily messaging limit on their WhatsApp Business Account (WABA), even after fulfilling all the requirements for an upgrade. If you’re struggling with this issue, this guide will help you understand the reasons behind it and how you can successfully move to the 10K daily messaging limit.
Understanding WhatsApp Messaging Tiers
When you create a WhatsApp Business Account, Meta assigns a messaging limit based on your account’s performance and usage. These tiers are:
Tier 1: 1,000 business-initiated messages per 24 hours
Tier 2: 10,000 business-initiated messages per 24 hours
Tier 3: 100,000 business-initiated messages per 24 hours
Tier 4: Unlimited messages per 24 hours
Upgrades are supposed to happen automatically once your account consistently meets the required conditions.
Requirements for WhatsApp Tier Upgrade
To move from 1,000 to 10,000 daily messages, your account must fulfill the following conditions:
Business Verification – Your Meta Business Manager account must be fully verified.
Approved Display Name – Your WhatsApp display name should comply with WhatsApp’s naming guidelines.
Healthy Quality Rating – Your account’s quality rating should remain in the green zone.
Active Phone Number – The number must be connected and enabled for messaging.
Consistent Messaging Activity – Your account should demonstrate regular outbound messaging activity.
Why the Upgrade Might Not Be Happening
Even after meeting these requirements, your account may remain stuck at 1,000 messages per day. The most common reasons include:
1. Pending Business Verification
If your Meta Business Manager verification is incomplete or pending approval, the upgrade process won’t start.
2. Low or Fluctuating Quality Rating
If many users block or report your messages, your quality rating may drop. WhatsApp will not upgrade accounts with a low (red) quality rating.
3. Insufficient Message Volume
WhatsApp requires businesses to consistently initiate outbound conversations near their current limit. If you’re sending only a few hundred messages per day, the system won’t consider you eligible for an upgrade.
4. Policy Restrictions
Certain industries like gambling, dating, and unregulated financial services are restricted. Businesses in these categories are not eligible for higher tiers.
5. System Delays
Even if everything is in order, WhatsApp upgrades may take up to 7 days to reflect due to internal review cycles.
How to Overcome Insufficient Message Volume
One of the biggest roadblocks to upgrading is not sending enough outbound messages. Here’s how to fix that:
Gradually Increase Volume: Aim to send 500–800+ business-initiated conversations daily.
Maintain High Engagement: Use segmented customer lists and send personalized campaigns instead of bulk generic messages.
Avoid Spam: Keep your messages relevant, valuable, and compliant with WhatsApp’s policies.
Monitor Metrics: Track your “Messaging Limits” and “Quality Rating” inside WhatsApp Manager to measure progress.
Steps to Fix the 10K Upgrade Issue
If your account is stuck at 1K messages:
Verify Your Business: Confirm approval in Meta Business Manager → Security Center.
Check Quality Rating: Ensure your account shows as green under WhatsApp Manager → Phone Numbers.
Increase Message Activity: Regularly send outbound campaigns to demonstrate need.
Stay Policy Compliant: Double-check your business and message content against WhatsApp’s Business & Commerce Policies.
Wait for Review Cycles: Allow 7 days for the system to reassess and upgrade your tier.
Escalating to Meta Support
If you’ve met all the conditions and the upgrade still hasn’t happened:
Visit the Meta Business Help Center.
Open a support ticket with your WABA ID.
Request a manual review for the messaging limit upgrade.
When contacting support, provide clear details such as verification status, quality rating, and messaging activity. This helps the support team process your request faster.
Final Thoughts
Reaching the 10K messaging tier is critical for businesses that need to scale communication on WhatsApp. If your account is stuck at the 1K limit, review your verification, quality rating, message volume, and compliance. Consistent outbound activity combined with a healthy rating usually triggers the upgrade. And if not, escalate the issue to Meta Support for a manual review.
By following these best practices, you can ensure your business reaches higher tiers and unlocks the full potential of WhatsApp Business for growth and customer engagement.