Why Is My WATI Chatbot Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Is your WATI chatbot not responding or malfunctioning? Chatbots are powerful tools for automating communication and improving customer service, but sometimes technical issues can prevent them from functioning properly. In this complete troubleshooting guide, we'll help you identify and fix the reasons your WATI chatbot isn't working, ensuring you can get your business back on track.

Once configured, there may be several reasons why the chatbot is not triggered. We will look into them one-by-one covering all the scenarios:

#1 Why is my chatbot not triggering?

Reason: The starting Node is not connected or not properly set

To rectify this error: Click the three dots button on the node, then select Set Start Node.

#2 Keyword not Configured

• Ensure the keyword is correctly configured to trigger the chatbot.

• Some keywords are set to Exact Match, then even small differences (e.g., missing or extra letters) will prevent the chatbot from triggering.

#3 Chat Assignment

• For the chatbot to work via keywords or default actions, the chat must be assigned to a Bot.

Automation won’t work if the chat is assigned to an operator.

Common Issues When a Chatbot Stops Working

1. Media Response Not Configured

• If a customer sends a media file (e.g., photo or video), and the chatbot node isn't set to accept media responses, the chatbot will stop.

• Learn how to configure media responses here: Accept Media Responses.

2. Expired Chatbot Timer

• Each chatbot has an expiration time. The chatbot will end if the customer doesn’t respond within the set time.

• Configure the expiration time:

• The minimum allowed time is 1 minute, and the maximum is 1440 minutes (24 hours).

• Click on Chatbot Timer in the upper-right corner to set the expiration time.

3. Misconfigured Nodes

Ensure subsequent nodes, such as Webhook or Google Spreadsheet nodes, are properly configured. Misconfigured nodes can cause the chatbot to stop functioning.

4. Unexpected Responses

• If the chatbot expects specific responses (e.g., “1,” “2,” or “3”), but the user replies with something unexpected like “4” or “hello,” the chatbot will stop.

• Use buttons or list messages in earlier steps to guide user responses.

But WATI has a lot of limitations:

• WATI allows only 5 users per plan, which is difficult for larger teams.

• Extra chatbot responses come with additional charges, increasing costs.

• The plans are expensive and have high charges for messages.

• WATI lacks advanced features like custom JavaScript workflows, unlike tools like Heltar, making it less flexible.

Choosing the right WhatsApp Business API provider is crucial for scaling your business. You can explore free trials of different BSPs to find what works best for you. To save some time and effort, here’s a comprehensive comparison of features, limitations, and pricing.

Feature Comparison: Wati vs. Heltar:

Pricing Comparison: Wati vs. Heltar:

Conversation Pricing: Wati vs. Heltar:

Heltar stands out as a cost-effective, feature-rich, and scalable solution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It offers:

• Affordable Pricing: Heltar’s plans are significantly cheaper than Wati’s, starting at just ₹999/month.

• Unlimited Scalability: No cap on chatbot responses or users in any plan.

• Advanced Integrations: OpenAI and Javascript compatibility for enhanced functionality.

• Customer-Centric Features: 24/7 support and a free green tick badge for credibility.

• High Volume Messaging: Send over 1,000,000 messages with just one click, ensuring efficiency without risks.

You can start a free trial to explore the features by yourself or book a free demo! 

If you have any questions about migrating from one BSP to another, read this blog on All You Need to Know About WhatsApp Business API BSP Migration.

For more insights, tips, and strategies to make the most of your WhatsApp Business API, explore Heltar Blogs.