How to Fix a Zapier Zap That Is Not Running

If a workflow in Zapier suddenly stops or never starts, it can delay important tasks and automations. This guide explains step-by-step how to troubleshoot when a Zap is not running, based strictly on Zapier support recommendations.

Before You Start: Confirm the Zapier Basics

Begin with a few quick checks to rule out simple issues in Zapier before you dive deeper.

Make sure you are signed in to the correct Zapier account.
Verify that the Zap is turned ON.
Confirm that your connected apps are authorized and not disconnected.
Check that your plan limits in Zapier have not been reached.

If everything looks correct but the Zap still does not run, continue with the troubleshooting sections below.

Check Zap Status and Task History in Zapier

One of the first places to look when a Zap is not running is the task history and status inside Zapier.

View Task History in Zapier

Open your Zapier dashboard.
Go to Zap History (sometimes labeled Task History).
Filter by the specific Zap you are troubleshooting.
Look for any entries marked as Stopped, Errored, or Held.

Details in each task will show whether the Zap was triggered, what data came through, and any error messages returned by Zapier or the connected apps.

Check If the Zap Has Been Paused by Zapier

Sometimes Zap runs are paused automatically by the platform. In Zapier, this can happen when:

Your connected app returns repeated errors.
You hit plan limits, such as monthly tasks.
There is a problem with authentication or permissions.

Open the Zap editor, and look for banners or warnings that indicate Zapier has paused the Zap. Follow the on-screen instructions to resume or fix it.

Verify Trigger Conditions in Zapier

The most common reason a Zap does not run is that the trigger event never happens or does not match the configured conditions in Zapier.

Confirm the Trigger App Is Sending Data

Identify the app that starts the Zap (the trigger app).
In that app, perform the exact action that should fire the trigger (for example, create a new record, submit a form, or receive an email).
Return to the Zap editor in Zapier and click Test Trigger on the trigger step.

If Zapier cannot find new data when you test the trigger, either no event occurred or it does not match your filters or options.

Review Trigger Settings and Filters in Zapier

Open the trigger step and check:

The correct account is selected.
The right folder, list, mailbox, or data source is chosen.
Date, status, or label filters are not excluding the data you expect.

If your Zap includes Filter steps in Zapier, open each filter and confirm that the rules are not overly strict. If the conditions are not met, the Zap will appear as “not running” because it stops at the filter.

Understand Trigger Types and Timing in Zapier

Different trigger types behave differently in Zapier. Knowing how yours works helps you know when to expect runs.

Instant vs. Scheduled Polling Triggers in Zapier

Instant triggers: Fire almost immediately when the event occurs. They rely on webhooks or push notifications from the app to Zapier.
Polling triggers: Check the app at regular intervals (based on your plan) and may take several minutes before new data is picked up.

If your Zap uses a polling trigger, it may be working correctly but simply has not reached the next scheduled check yet. Check your plan’s polling interval and wait through at least one full cycle before assuming the Zap is not working.

New vs. Updated Data Triggers in Zapier

Some triggers only fire for newly created items, while others fire on updates.

If the trigger is New Item, editing an existing item will not start the Zap.
If the trigger is Updated Item, only certain fields may count as updates.

Review the trigger documentation for your specific app and confirm that the action you are taking matches the trigger Zapier is expecting.

Check App Connections and Permissions in Zapier

When a Zap fails to run, broken or limited connections to external apps can be the cause inside Zapier.

Reauthorize Connected Accounts in Zapier

In your dashboard, go to My Apps.
Locate the account used in the Zap that is not running.
Check for warnings or error icons.
Click Reconnect or Reconnect Account if needed.

After reconnecting, return to the Zap editor in Zapier and retest the trigger and actions.

Confirm App-Level Permissions

Even if Zapier shows the account as connected, the external app may have limited what Zapier can access. Check that:

The account has sufficient user permissions or roles.
APIs or integrations are enabled in the app.
Any required scopes or access levels were granted during authorization.

If permissions were updated recently in the app, you may need to reconnect it to Zapier so the new scopes are applied.

Find and Fix Errors in Zapier Task Details

When a Zap starts but does not complete, you can usually find the problem by reviewing error details in Zapier.

Open Detailed Task Logs in Zapier

From your dashboard, open Zap History.
Click on a specific run for the Zap that is not working correctly.
Expand each step to see input data, output data, and error messages.

Common issues include required fields missing, invalid data formats, or API errors from the connected app. Fix any configuration issues in the Zapier editor, then replay or retest the task if the app and plan support that option.

Resolve Common Error Types in Zapier

Authentication errors: Reconnect the app in My Apps.
Validation errors: Adjust field mappings or data formats to match what the destination app expects.
Rate limit errors: Wait and retry later, or reduce how often your Zap runs.

After each fix, run a new test through the Zapier editor to confirm the error is resolved.

When Zapier Zaps Are Turned Off or Disabled

Sometimes a Zap stops running because it has been turned off manually or automatically by Zapier.

Manually Disabled Zaps in Zapier

In your Zaps list, check whether the toggle next to the Zap is set to Off. If so, switch it back to On. If it turns off again immediately, look for alerts or error messages at the top of the editor which may explain why Zapier will not keep it active.

Usage Limits and Plan Restrictions in Zapier

If you exceed plan limits, Zapier may prevent new tasks from running. Review your usage:

Monthly task limits.
Number of active Zaps allowed.
Polling frequency for your plan.

Consider reducing noncritical automations, optimizing your workflows, or upgrading your plan if you consistently hit limits and your Zaps stop running.

Use Official Zapier Documentation and Support

For detailed, app-specific behavior and the most current instructions, always consult official documentation from Zapier and the connected apps.

Review the original help article on Zaps not running here: Zap is not running.
Search the help center for your trigger or action app to see known limitations.
Contact support if logs and tests in Zapier do not explain the issue.

Optimize and Audit Your Zapier Automations

Once your Zap is running again, it is helpful to audit your workflows so future interruptions are less likely.

Create a Zapier Troubleshooting Checklist

Use a short checklist for every Zap issue:

Confirm the Zap is turned on.
Test the trigger in Zapier.
Review task history and error logs.
Check app connections and permissions.
Review filters and conditions.
Check plan limits and task usage.

Documenting your findings and fixes makes it faster to resolve similar problems next time.

Further Help Beyond Zapier

If you need broader automation strategy, error monitoring, or integration planning in addition to Zapier troubleshooting, specialist consultancies can help. For example, you can find automation and integration guidance at Consultevo, alongside other workflow optimization resources.

By following the steps above, you can systematically diagnose why a Zap is not running in Zapier, resolve configuration or connection issues, and keep your automations running reliably.

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Fix Zapier Zaps Not Running