Troubleshooting

When you send a message via the SendLime API, it returns a JSON response indicating success or failure.

Successful response

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "gateway_id": "580000908Q23PJCF",
    "to": "8801XXXXXXXXX",
    "channel": "sms",
    "status": "delivered",
    "credits_remaining": 99.5
  }
}

Error response

{
  "error": "Insufficient balance",
  "required": 0.5,
  "available": 0
}

info

A "status": "delivered" in the API response means the message was accepted by the downstream carrier. It is not an absolute guarantee of delivery to the handset.

caution

As per the BTRC guidelines, promotional messages have to be in Bangla.

HTTP status codes

Status Code	Meaning	Description
200	Success	The message was successfully sent.
400	Bad Request	Invalid request body, missing fields, or recipient not on WhatsApp.
401	Unauthorized	Missing, invalid, or revoked API key.
403	Forbidden	Request IP is not allowed by the API key IP whitelist.
402	Payment Required	Insufficient balance to send the message.
422	Validation Error	Request body failed validation (check details field).
429	Too Many Requests	API key rate limit exceeded.
500	Internal Server Error	An error occurred while processing the message.

Common errors

Invalid API key format

{ "error": "Invalid API key format" }

Your API key must start with sl_live_. Make sure you're using the full key from your dashboard.

Invalid or revoked API key

{ "error": "Invalid or revoked API key" }

The key doesn't exist or has been revoked. Generate a new one from the API Keys page.

Insufficient balance

{ "error": "Insufficient balance", "required": 0.5, "available": 0 }

Top up your account balance from the Billing page.

Recipient is not on WhatsApp

{ "error": "Recipient number is not on WhatsApp" }

Use a phone number that is registered on WhatsApp, without spaces or symbols.

Brand not found or not approved

{ "error": "Brand not found or not approved" }

Use an approved SMS sender or WhatsApp profile, or omit brand_id to use the default sender/profile.

Unauthorized IP address

{ "error": "Request from unauthorized IP address" }

Update the API key IP whitelist in the dashboard, or send the request from an allowed IP.

Rate limit exceeded

{ "error": "Rate limit exceeded", "retry_after": 42 }

Wait for the retry_after seconds value before retrying.

Validation failed

{
  "error": "Validation failed",
  "details": {
    "to": ["Recipient number is required"],
    "message": ["Message body is required"]
  }
}

Check the details field to see which parameters are missing or invalid.