> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heyy.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Message errors

> Why a message to an Instagram contact might be blocked.

## Can't send a normal message in an existing conversation

Instagram gives you a **7-day reply window** from the contact's last message, longer than WhatsApp or Messenger's 24 hours, but it still closes.

1. Check the countdown in the chat header — something like *"2 days left to reply."*
2. If the window has closed, free-form messaging is blocked until the contact messages you again — Instagram does not currently support an approved-template workaround the way WhatsApp does.
3. If the contact reaches out again on the same or a different channel, reply promptly — see [Other chats](/help/inbox/contact-card#other-chats) if they've messaged on more than one channel.

See [Conversation window](/help/inbox/chat-fundamentals/conversation-window) for the full explanation of window policies across channels.

<Tip>
  Because there's no template fallback on Instagram, treat the 7-day window as a hard deadline rather than a soft guideline — once it closes, you're waiting on the contact rather than able to force a re-engagement the way you can on WhatsApp.
</Tip>

## Message shows as failed

* Confirm the [conversation window](/help/inbox/chat-fundamentals/conversation-window) hasn't closed — this is the most common cause.
* Confirm the connection itself is healthy — see [Common issues](/help/messaging-channels/instagram/common-issues).
* Check delivery status on the message itself — see [Message actions](/help/inbox/message-actions).