---
title: Reply after the 24h window expires
description: >-
  On Official API, send a Pre-Approved Template when WhatsApp 24h window shows
  Expired.
sidebar:
  order: 7
---
In this tutorial, you will send a **Pre-Approved Template** when the Official 24-hour window is closed.

**Time needed:** 10 minutes

## Before you start

Make sure:

- This conversation uses an **Official API** account.
- The header shows **Expired**, or the composer shows **WhatsApp 24h window expired**.
- You already have at least one approved template for this WhatsApp Business account.

> This step is for Official API only. Unofficial API does not lock the composer behind a 24-hour window.

> You cannot type a free reply while the window is expired. A template is the way back in.

## 1. Open the expired conversation

On the left menu, click **Live Chat**.

Open a thread whose header shows **Expired**.

<figure class="doc-shot">
  <img class="doc-shot__light" src="/images/features/live-chat/lc-tpl-expired-light.png" alt="WhatsApp 24h window expired notice in the reply box" width="1216" height="760" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <img class="doc-shot__dark" src="/images/features/live-chat/lc-tpl-expired-dark.png" alt="WhatsApp 24h window expired notice in the reply box" width="1216" height="760" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <figcaption>An expired chat shows <strong>WhatsApp 24h window expired</strong>.</figcaption>
</figure>

## 2. Open Send Template

In the composer, read **WhatsApp 24h window expired**.

Click **Send Template**.

<figure class="doc-shot">
  <img class="doc-shot__light" src="/images/features/live-chat/lc-tpl-btn-light.png" alt="Send Template button highlighted" width="1216" height="760" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <img class="doc-shot__dark" src="/images/features/live-chat/lc-tpl-btn-dark.png" alt="Send Template button highlighted" width="1216" height="760" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <figcaption>Click <strong>Send Template</strong>.</figcaption>
</figure>

## 3. Pick a Pre-Approved Template

The **Send Pre-Approved Template** dialog opens.

Click the template you want to send.

If the template has variables, fill every field.

<figure class="doc-shot">
  <img class="doc-shot__light" src="/images/features/live-chat/lc-tpl-pick-light.png" alt="Send Pre-Approved Template list with one template highlighted" width="1216" height="900" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <img class="doc-shot__dark" src="/images/features/live-chat/lc-tpl-pick-dark.png" alt="Send Pre-Approved Template list with one template highlighted" width="1216" height="900" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <figcaption>Pick an approved template. Sample names shown.</figcaption>
</figure>

## 4. Send the template

Click **Send Template**.

<figure class="doc-shot">
  <img class="doc-shot__light" src="/images/features/live-chat/lc-tpl-send-light.png" alt="Template parameters filled with the Send Template button highlighted" width="1216" height="900" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <img class="doc-shot__dark" src="/images/features/live-chat/lc-tpl-send-dark.png" alt="Template parameters filled with the Send Template button highlighted" width="1216" height="900" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />
  <figcaption>Fill the values, then click <strong>Send Template</strong>.</figcaption>
</figure>

## Make sure it worked

The template message appears in the thread.

Your test phone receives the approved template on WhatsApp.

If the customer replies, the header no longer shows **Expired**.

## If it didn’t work

### I can still type a normal reply

This account is not Official, or the customer wrote in the last 24 hours. Use [Reply to a conversation](/features/live-chat/reply) instead.

### The template list is empty

Approve a template in Meta first, then open **Send Pre-Approved Template** again.

### Send Template is blocked

A variable is empty, or the account balance is not enough. Fill every field, then try again.

## Next

Send a later follow-up in [Schedule a message](/features/live-chat/schedule).