Guide: Retry failed runs
This page: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-builder/retry-failed-runs
Topic: Flow builder
Time: about 2 minutes
Who can do it: Owner, Administrator or Manager
Author: https://anantgupta.xyz (Anant Gupta, founder of CommentWatchDog)
Start in the app: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox
Result when done: A run that failed for a passing reason goes on again from the step it stopped on, without sending anything twice.
Context: Some failures mend themselves: your API was down, Meta's sending limit ran out, the page's connection needed a reconnect that you have since done, or a block was lifted. For those, a failed run offers Retry from failed step. It walks on from the step it stopped on, on the version of the flow it started with; what already went is not sent again. A closed reply window, the step cap and an AI answer that was missing are never offered, because a second try would not change them.

Before you start:
1. Only people who can edit the page's automations can retry.
2. A retry happens one run at a time.
3. Fix the cause first (reconnect the page, bring your API back), or the retry fails the same way.

Steps:
Step 1 of 3: Open Runs and show the failed ones.
Where: Runs, in the bar at the top of the canvas; then the chip Failed, above the list. The chip is there only while the flow has failed runs.
Link: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/inbox (Open the app)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-run-failed.en.webp (The chip Failed, above the list of runs.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-run-failed-list-phone.en.webp (The chip Failed on a phone, above the list of runs.)
You should see: The failed runs, newest first.

Step 2 of 3: Open the run and read why it failed.
Where: Click the run. Its path stops at the step that failed, marked with a red triangle; click that step and the box In this run, at the top of its panel, says what went wrong, with the platform's own error under it. The usual reasons: your API did not answer, Meta's sending limit was reached, the page's connection needs reconnecting, Meta refused the message, or the 24-hour window had closed.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-run-failed.en.webp (In this run, on the step that failed: The message was refused, and Meta's error.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-run-failed-phone.en.webp (The same box on a phone.)
You should see: When a second try can help, Retry from failed step in the bar above the canvas.

Step 3 of 3: Retry it.
Where: Retry from failed step, in the bar above the canvas that names the run. The bar then asks Retry from the step that failed?: press Retry now (Keep as failed leaves the run as it is). On a phone you can open the failed run and read why it failed; Retry from failed step is on a computer.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-run-failed.en.webp (Retry from failed step, in the run's bar.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-run-retry.en.webp (The bar then asks; press Retry now.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/dm-flow-run-failed-phone.en.webp (On a phone: the failed step and its reason. Retry from failed step is on a computer.)
You should see: Retry started. The run goes on for that person from the step that failed.

If something is off:
Problem: There is no Retry on a failed run
Fix: That failure will not change on a second try: a closed 24-hour window, too many steps in a row, or a missing AI answer.
Problem: The retry failed again
Fix: The cause is still there. Reconnect the page, check your API, or wait for Meta's limit, then retry.
Problem: This run is no longer failed
Fix: It was retried already, or it has moved on. Reload Runs.

Common questions:
Question: Does a retry send the same message twice?
Answer: No. The run goes on from the step that failed; the steps that already went are not sent again.
Question: Which version of the flow does a retry use?
Answer: The version the run started with, even if you have saved changes since.
Question: Why can't I retry a run whose reply window closed?
Answer: Meta only allows messages within 24 hours of the person's last message, and that only gets later. If the window is closed when the retry reaches a message, the run ends as skipped.

Related guides:
- Follow a run step by step: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-builder/follow-a-run-step-by-step
- Send an HTTP request from a flow: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/http-requests/send-an-http-request-from-a-flow
- Read the numbers on a flow: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-builder/read-the-numbers-on-a-flow

Plain text of this guide: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/flow-builder/retry-failed-runs.md
All guides for assistants: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/llms.txt