Quick Answer
There are a few common reasons why WhatsApp may say your phone number is invalid:
- You entered the wrong phone number when trying to verify your account
- Your phone number is not in WhatsApp’s database
- Your phone number has been banned from using WhatsApp
The best way to resolve this is to carefully re-enter your full phone number with country code, double check it is correct, and try verifying your account again. If it still doesn’t work, you may need to get a new SIM card and phone number.
What Does “Your Phone Number is Invalid” Mean?
When you try to register for WhatsApp using your phone number, WhatsApp will send a 6-digit verification code to your phone via SMS. You need to enter this code to verify your phone number and complete the signup process.
If WhatsApp gives you an error saying your phone number is invalid, it means your number could not be verified and authenticated on WhatsApp’s system for some reason.
Some common reasons you may get the “invalid number” error include:
- Typing your phone number incorrectly – missing a digit, using the wrong country code, etc.
- Using a landline number instead of a mobile number
- Your phone number is not active on any mobile network
- Your phone number was previously banned or blocked on WhatsApp
This error typically occurs right when you are entering your phone number and tapping on “Next” or “Continue”. If WhatsApp detects your phone number is potentially invalid, it will deny access to prevent spam or abuse.
Wrong Phone Number Entered
One of the most common reasons for the “invalid number” error is that you simply entered the wrong phone number by mistake when trying to verify your account.
It’s easy to mistakenly type an incorrect digit or paste the number inaccurately when you are rushing through the signup process.
Even a small typo like swapping two digits can make your phone number invalid. Here are some examples of how easy it is to enter a wrong number:
- Swapping digits – entering 4712568903 instead of 4751268903
- Missing a digit – entering 475126890 instead of 4751268903
- Using the wrong country code – using 1 instead of 91 for India
If you suspect you may have entered the wrong number, the best solution is to simply re-enter your full phone number carefully, including the country code, and double check it is 100% accurate before hitting submit.
This alone can fix the invalid number error in many cases.
Phone Number Not Registered on WhatsApp
Another possibility is that your phone number has never been registered on WhatsApp before. WhatsApp keeps a database of all phone numbers that have created accounts.
When you try to sign up, WhatsApp checks their database to see if your number already exists. If there is no match, WhatsApp assumes it is an unknown number and will show the “invalid number” error.
Some reasons your phone number may not be recognized include:
- Getting a new number that has never been used on WhatsApp
- Using your secondary SIM number that you haven’t used before
- Using a landline number instead of a verified mobile number
If this is the case, there is nothing wrong with your phone number itself. You simply need to go through the verification process to validate and register your number on WhatsApp for the first time.
The number should work fine once it is properly verified and added to WhatsApp’s database.
Phone Number Banned from WhatsApp
In some cases, you may see the “invalid number” error because your phone number has been banned from using WhatsApp.
WhatsApp has the right to block numbers that violate their Terms of Service. Some reasons your number could get banned include:
- Sending spam/scam messages
- Creating multiple accounts with same number
- Impersonating others
- Spreading misinformation or fake news
If your number has been flagged for abuse, WhatsApp will permanently ban your account and block your ability to create new accounts using that number across all devices.
Unfortunately if your number is banned, there is no way to undo it. You will have to obtain a new phone number and SIM card to use WhatsApp again.
How to Fix “Your Phone Number is Invalid” Error
Here are the steps to take if you get the “invalid number” error on WhatsApp:
- Double check your entered phone number – Carefully re-enter your phone number with country code to ensure there are no typos or errors.
- Try disabling voicemail – Sometimes voicemail can interfere with verification codes. Try temporarily disabling voicemail.
- Use a different WiFi or mobile data – Change your internet connection as it may be blocking WhatsApp.
- Verify the number works – Make a call or send a text to confirm the number is active.
- Try again later – WhatsApp’s servers may be down temporarily.
- Contact your mobile carrier – Ensure your SIM card and service are active.
- Use a different device – Test on another phone to rule out device-specific issues.
- Get a new SIM card – As a last resort, change your phone number if issues persist.
Following these troubleshooting steps will help identify and resolve any issues that are causing the validation error with your phone number.
Methods to Verify Your Number
When your phone number is valid and active, there are a couple ways WhatsApp can verify it:
SMS Verification Code
The default method is via an automated SMS text message containing the 6 digit verification code. This code must be entered in WhatsApp to link your number to your account.
The SMS is sent automatically once you provide your country code and phone number. But sometimes SMS codes can fail to deliver if there are texting issues.
Phone Call Verification
If SMS verification is not working, WhatsApp gives you the option to request a phone call instead.
WhatsApp will call your phone number and provide the 6 digit code over an automated voice call rather than text.
This method can help when text messages are not being received for verification.
Using WhatsApp Without Phone Number
WhatsApp is designed to work primarily through your registered phone number. However, there are a couple ways to use WhatsApp without linking a phone number:
- On WhatsApp Web – You can log into WhatsApp Web using just your account info and QR code scan, without entering your phone number.
- Using a LAN connection – You can use WhatsApp on two devices connected on the same LAN without verifying a phone number.
- WhatsApp for iPad – The WhatsApp iPad app does not require a phone number, just your Facebook account.
But overall, WhatsApp aims to link every user account to a valid registered phone number for security purposes and minimizing spam. So phone number verification is required for the official mobile apps.
Conclusion
The “invalid number” error on WhatsApp typically means your phone number could not be automatically verified during signup, usually due to an incorrect or banned number.
Carefully re-entering your full phone number with country code can fix mistakes. If your number is still not working, you may need to get a new SIM card and active phone number to use WhatsApp.
Following WhatsApp’s terms of service and avoiding banned activities like spamming can help prevent your number from being blocked in the future.
With a valid registered phone number, you can enjoy seamless WhatsApp messaging capabilities like calls, chats, groups, and more. But the number verification process is an necessary step to maximize security and accountability on the platform.