Meta does not allow a WABA with an existing payment method to be connected again through another platform. Therefore, the onboarding process will fail if you try to reuse that WABA.

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Why This Happens

This error occurs because:

• The WABA you are trying to connect has already been used previously (either directly in Meta or through another Business Solution Provider).
• Meta prevents connecting a WABA that already has a billing setup or payment method to another BSP (Business Solution Provider) to avoid duplicate billing.

How to Fix the Issue

To successfully complete onboarding, you need to create a new WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) under your existing Meta Business Manager. Follow the steps below:

Which Setup Should You Use?

• Using the WhatsApp Business App and want to keep using it? Use Coexistence if eligible.

• Moving from another WhatsApp provider? Use Migrate from an Existing BSP when applicable.

• Starting with a new or unused number? Create a new WABA.

• Seeing the payment-method error on the selected WABA? Create or select a different eligible WABA.

Important: Creating a new WABA does not always mean you need a new phone number.

 What if the New WABA Still Fails?

A new WABA can still fail if the phone number is already connected somewhere else or another onboarding issue exists.

Check the following:

1. Confirm the new WABA was selected.

2. Read the new error message carefully.

3. Check whether the phone number is still connected to WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, or another provider.

4. Confirm you are using the correct onboarding path.

5. Retry phone verification.

6. If the issue continues, collect the escalation details below.

What Does “Last Onboarding Failed” Mean?

This message can appear when the WABA is already connected to another GHL Customer Care Location.

If the error says the WABA is already onboarded to a Location ID:

1. Note the Location ID in the error.

2. Find the GHL Customer Care Location where the WABA is currently connected.

3. Disconnect the WABA from that Location.

4. Return to the correct Location and restart onboarding.

Do not create another WABA just because of this error.

Evidence Required for Escalation

If onboarding still fails, collect the following before contacting support:

• GHL Customer Care Location ID

• Phone number with country code

• WABA ID

• Phone Number ID, if available

• Exact error message

• Screenshot of the error

• Approximate time of the failed attempt

• Onboarding path used

• Whether the number is connected to WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, or another provider

• Troubleshooting steps already completed

• Any Meta error code or fbtrace_id, if available

Additional Tips

• If you are unsure which payment method is attached, visit Meta Payment Settings to review existing setups.
• Always use a new WABA for onboarding if you've previously connected the same number with another provider.