> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/field-operations/workflows/fix-a-failed-workflow.md). # Fix a failed workflow When a workflow run fails — or a safety guardrail stops one — Essential files the problem in a **Needs attention** list on the Workflows page instead of failing silently. Repeats of the same problem stack onto one entry, so ten identical failures read as one problem with a count, not ten alarms. > **Where to find it:** Open **Automations**, then select **Workflows**, once Workflows is enabled for your business. The **Needs attention** section appears under the workflow table whenever something needs a look; a healthy account doesn't show it. ## What an entry tells you Each entry names the workflow, the kind of problem, how many times it happened, when it was last seen, and the customer involved when there is one. Shortly after a new problem appears, Essential also reviews it and adds a diagnosis: what went wrong, how serious it is, what it meant for your customer (for example, "the customer did not receive the renewal reminder"), and the suggested next step. ## Actions * **Retry run** — runs the failed run again. Actions that already completed are never repeated; only the missing ones are attempted. Essential refuses a retry when it can't do it safely — for example when the triggering event is more than 7 days old, or the workflow is paused. * **Resolve** — closes the entry once you've dealt with it. If the same problem happens again later, a fresh entry appears. * **Mute 7 days** — parks a known, low-priority entry. It keeps counting repeats but stays out of your way. * **Pause workflow / Un-pause workflow** — stops the workflow from running at all until someone un-pauses it. Use this when a workflow is misbehaving and you want it off while you fix it. ## Automatic protection If one workflow fails repeatedly within an hour, Essential pauses it automatically and files a single entry telling you so. This stops a broken workflow from acting on more customers. Un-pausing is always a human decision — fix or edit the workflow, then select **Un-pause workflow**. Guardrail entries — a spend budget reached, a rate limit, a paused approval — mean the system protected you, not that something broke. Resolve them once you've read them, or raise the relevant limit. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://learn.withessential.com/field-operations/workflows/fix-a-failed-workflow.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.