---
page_type: error
code: 63016
message: >-
  63016: Failed to send freeform message because you are outside the allowed
  window. If you are using WhatsApp, please use a Message Template.
level: ERROR
product: Programmable SMS
---

## Description

Failed to send freeform message because you are outside the allowed window. If you are using WhatsApp, please use a Message Template.

### Possible Causes

- **After April 1, 2025** WhatsApp templates can only be sent using Content Sid and Content Variables. Templates sent using body outside of a conversation window will fail with this error.
- This message failed to be delivered to the user because it was sent outside the messaging channel's allowed conversation window. For WhatsApp messages initiated by the business, you must use a pre-defined template.
- If the message was created with Content API or Content Editor it may be one of the following issues:
- The customer is still using "body" instead of "Content SID" and "Content Variables"
- The customer is using content type that is not supported for business initiated conversations, e.g. listpicker or location
- For Facebook Messenger messages initiated by the business, only publishers registered with the Facebook News Page Index (NPI) are allowed to send notification messages outside the 24-hour window.

### Possible Solutions

- [Send a WhatsApp message using a template](/docs/whatsapp/tutorial/send-whatsapp-notification-messages-templates#send-a-whatsapp-message-using-a-template)
- [Include all the necessary parameters for a Content API or Content Editor Template and make sure you aren't sending with the wrong parameters](/docs/content/send-templates-created-with-the-content-editor)
- If you are a publisher, register your Facebook Page with the [Facebook News Page Index](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/316333835842972?id=644465919618833)