How to Resume an Error Handler in Make.com
When you build complex automations in make.com, you will eventually need to manage errors gracefully. Knowing how to resume an error handler ensures your scenarios continue running even after individual operations fail, are ignored, or are only partially successful.
This how-to guide walks you step by step through resuming an error handler in make.com so you can keep your workflows robust, predictable, and easier to maintain.
Understanding Error Handlers in Make.com
Before you can correctly resume an error handler, it is important to understand what an error handler is and when it runs inside a scenario.
In make.com, an error handler is a special route that is attached to a module. It starts automatically when that module encounters one of these situations:
- An operation fails with an error.
- An operation is ignored based on your error handling settings.
- An operation ends in a partial success state (for example, some items succeeded and others failed).
The error handler route lets you decide what should happen next: log the error, notify someone, retry, or even transform the data before continuing or stopping the execution.
When to Resume an Error Handler in Make.com
Resuming an error handler in make.com is useful when you want the scenario to move on after the error-handling logic finishes, instead of stopping completely.
Typical reasons to resume include:
- You have already logged the issue and do not need to stop the entire run.
- You want to skip the failed item but continue with the rest.
- You are using partial success to process what worked and continue the scenario without interruption.
To control this behavior, you use the Resume card at the end of the error handler route.
How the Resume Card Works in Make.com
The Resume card is a dedicated module available only inside an error handler route. It defines how the scenario run should proceed after the error handler finishes.
You can configure different modes, depending on how you want the execution to continue. The options you see depend on the event that triggered the error handler (failure, ignore, or partial success).
Key Resume Options in Make.com Error Handlers
While the exact labels and availability can vary based on the module and context, the categories of resume behavior commonly include:
- Resume the execution – Continue running the scenario after the problematic operation, often skipping the failed item.
- Stop the execution – End the current run after the error handler logic completes.
- Resume with data – Pass specific data from the error handler back to the main route before continuing.
Choosing the right option depends on whether you want to fully stop, skip, or restore some kind of normal flow after handling the error.
Step-by-Step: Add and Use an Error Handler in Make.com
Follow these steps to configure an error handler and then resume the scenario run in make.com.
1. Attach an Error Handler to a Module in Make.com
- Open your scenario in the make.com scenario editor.
- Locate the module that may produce an error you want to handle.
- Right-click the module (or use the module menu) and select the option to Add error handler.
- Make.com will add a new route branching from that module, visually marked as an error handler.
This new route is where all error-handling modules will live.
2. Build the Error Handler Route in Make.com
- Inside the error handler route, add the modules needed to manage the error, such as:
- Logging modules to record error details.
- Notification modules to alert your team.
- Storage modules to save failed items for later review.
- Map error-related data from the original module into your error-handling modules. Typical fields include:
- Error message.
- Error code.
- Input data that caused the issue.
- Design your logic to achieve the desired reaction: just log the error, send an alert, or run compensating actions.
All of this happens only when the attached module fails, is ignored, or is partially successful.
3. Insert the Resume Card in the Error Handler
- At the end of the error handler route, click the small plus icon to add a new module.
- Search for the Resume card that belongs specifically to error handlers in make.com.
- Add the Resume card as the last module in the error handler route.
This card is mandatory if you want the scenario to continue after the error handler runs.
4. Configure the Resume Behavior in Make.com
After adding the Resume card, configure what should happen next:
- Open the Resume card settings.
- Choose the appropriate resume option based on your use case, such as continuing the run or stopping the scenario.
- If available, adjust any advanced settings, like what data will be passed back into the main scenario path.
- Save the configuration.
Now, when the original module triggers the error handler, the scenario will follow the error route, execute your handling logic, and then behave exactly as defined by the Resume card.
Best Practices for Error Handling in Make.com
Resuming an error handler is only part of a solid strategy. Keep these best practices in mind to design reliable automations in make.com.
- Handle predictable errors explicitly – For modules that often fail due to rate limits, validation, or external system issues, always add an error handler.
- Keep routes simple – Avoid very long chains inside a single error handler. Use clear steps so troubleshooting remains easy.
- Document your logic – Use module notes and clear naming to describe why a particular resume mode was chosen.
- Test failure cases – Intentionally trigger failures in a safe environment so you can confirm that the error handler and the Resume card work as expected.
- Centralize notifications – If multiple modules share similar error logic, consider directing them to a consistent notification or logging flow.
Troubleshooting Resume Behavior in Make.com
If your scenario does not behave as you expect after an error, review these checks:
- Confirm the error handler is attached to the correct module.
- Verify that the error type matches your configuration (failure, ignore, or partial success).
- Ensure the Resume card is present at the end of the error handler route.
- Review the selected resume action and adjust it if the scenario is stopping or continuing at the wrong time.
For detailed platform-specific behavior, consult the official documentation at this make.com help article on resuming error handlers.
Next Steps for Advanced Make.com Automation
Once you are comfortable resuming error handlers in make.com, you can expand into more advanced topics, such as:
- Global error handling strategies across multiple scenarios.
- Automatic retries with backoff strategies.
- Centralized logging and monitoring dashboards.
If you need expert help designing scalable automations, optimization, or documentation for make.com, you can explore consulting services offered by specialists at Consultevo.
By applying these techniques and using the Resume card correctly inside error handlers, you ensure your make.com scenarios remain resilient, transparent, and easier to maintain as they grow in complexity.
Need Help With Make.com?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your Make scenarios, work with ConsultEvo — certified workflow and automation specialists.