# INVALID_ROUTING_MODEL – Invalid Screen Found in the Routing Model in WhatsApp Flow JSON
Author: Prashant Jangid
Author URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/author/prashant-jangid
Published: 2025-04-16
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/invalidroutingmodel-invalid-screen-found-in-the-routing-model-in-whatsapp-flow-json-cm9jsg4nc008314n5sza0ilae

When designing a WhatsApp data channel flow, you might come across this error:

**INVALID\_ROUTING\_MODEL: Invalid screen found in the routing model: (screenId).**

This error is common, especially when your flow includes screens that aren't properly linked or referenced. Let’s break down what it means and how to fix it.

### What This Error Means?

This error shows up when:

- A screen exists in your screens array,

- But it is not referenced anywhere in the routing\_model.


In simpler terms: You created a screen, but didn’t connect it to the flow—so the system doesn’t know when (or if) to show it.

### Example of the Error

```
{
  "routing_model": {
    "FIRST_SCREEN": []
  },
  "screens": [
    {
      "id": "FIRST_SCREEN",
      "terminal": true
    },
    {
      "id": "SECOND_SCREEN"
    }
  ]
}
```

Here:

- SECOND\_SCREEN exists in the screens array,

- But it's not referenced in routing\_model as a destination from any screen.


This causes the INVALID\_ROUTING\_MODEL error.

### How to Fix It?

To fix this:

1. Make sure every screen in your screens list is referenced at least once in the routing\_model.

2. If a screen is unused, remove it—or connect it properly in the routing logic.


#### Fixed Example

```
{
  "routing_model": {
    "FIRST_SCREEN": ["SECOND_SCREEN"]
  },
  "screens": [
    {
      "id": "FIRST_SCREEN"
    },
    {
      "id": "SECOND_SCREEN",
      "terminal": true
    }
  ]
}
```

Now:

- Both screens are connected in the flow.

- No screen is left unreferenced.

- Error gone.


### Pro Tip

Even if a screen is terminal (i.e. it ends the flow), it must be referenced in the routing model—otherwise, the system doesn’t know how it fits into the conversation path.

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


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