# How to Fix “INVALID_PROPERTY_VALUE” in WhatsApp Flows: refresh_on_back Requires data_api_version
Author: Prashant Jangid
Author URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/author/prashant-jangid
Published: 2025-06-25
Category: Troubleshoot
Category URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/category/troubleshoot
Tags: WhatsApp Flows Error
Tag URLs: WhatsApp Flows Error (https://www.heltar.com/blogs/tag/whatsapp-flows-error)
URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/how-to-fix-invalidpropertyvalue-in-whatsapp-flows-refreshonback-requires-dataapiversion-cmcc26tno000ox7xn29044xd2

If you're seeing this error:

**INVALID\_PROPERTY\_VALUE**

**Property 'refresh\_on\_back' can be true only when property 'data\_api\_version' is set.**

You're likely trying to make your flow re-fetch data on screen navigation without configuring the data connection properly. Let’s walk through what this means and how to fix it.

## Quick Fix

To use **"refresh\_on\_back": true**, you must set a _data\_api\_version_ at the root level of your flow.

**Correct Example:**

```
{
  "version": "2.1",
  "data_api_version": "1.0",
  "screens": [
    {
      "id": "screenA",
      "refresh_on_back": true,
      "layout": {
        "children": [...]
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

Without _data\_api\_version_, the flow is considered a data-channel-less flow, and setting _refresh\_on\_back_ causes validation to fail.

## Why This Happens

Meta’s flow engine only allows _refresh\_on\_back_ when your flow is connected to a server or external data source.

- data\_api\_version tells the system that your flow is backed by APIs.

- refresh\_on\_back is used to re-fetch data when a user navigates back to a screen—this only works if the screen can actually get updated data from somewhere.


If you haven’t defined data\_api\_version, the platform assumes you’re not using a backend. So trying to “refresh” makes no sense, and the error is thrown.

## When to Use _refresh\_on\_back_

Use it only when:

- The screen shows dynamic data fetched from a server.

- There’s a chance the data might have changed while the user was on another screen.

- Your flow includes _data\_api\_version_ and server endpoints are configured.


When Not to Use It

- If your flow is static and doesn’t rely on backend APIs.

- If you haven’t configured _data\_api\_version_.


For more troubleshooting insights related to WhatsApp Business API, check out [heltar.com/blogs](https://www.heltar.com/blogs).


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