# How to Fix “MISSING_REQUIRED_PROPERTY: routing_model” in WhatsApp Flows
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-missingrequiredproperty-routingmodel-in-whatsapp-flows-cmcc1zje0000nx7xnpl1l5x3l

If you’re working with Meta’s WhatsApp Flows and run into the error:

**MISSING\_REQUIRED\_PROPERTY:** **The property 'routing\_model' is required for property 'data\_api\_version**',

you’re not alone. This error shows up when you try to use the _data\_exchange_ action without specifying a _routing\_model._

## Quick Fix: Add routing\_model

Just add this snippet at the root level of your flow JSON:

```
"routing_model": {}
```

Here’s how your corrected JSON should look:

```
{
  "version": "2.1",
  "data_api_version": "3.0",
  "routing_model": {},
  "screens": [
    {
      "id": "screenA",
      "title": "screenTitle",
      "layout": {
        "type": "SingleColumnLayout",
        "children": [
          {
            "type": "Footer",
            "label": "Submit",
            "on-click-action": {
              "name": "data_exchange",
              "payload": {}
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

## Why This Happens

If you’re using _data\_exchange_, it means your flow is trying to communicate with an external API or server. Meta requires two keys for that to work:

1. _**data\_api\_version**_ – tells the system which version of the data exchange protocol you're using.

2. _**routing\_model**_ – defines how the backend routes the request.


Even if your _routing\_model_ is empty, its presence is required.

## When to Use This

If your button (like **"Submit"**) uses on-click-action with _data\_exchange_, make sure:

- _data\_api\_version_ is set (typically "3.0" or higher).

- _routing\_model_ is present at the top level.


This is mandatory for the flow to send or receive any server-side data.

## TL;DR

- Error: MISSING\_REQUIRED\_PROPERTY: routing\_model

- Fix: Add "routing\_model": {} to your flow JSON root.

- Context: Happens when using data\_exchange actions in WhatsApp Flows.


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


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