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Fix an automation that will not run

We'll check the trigger, conditions, device status, and app settings—so the automation runs or we tell you when to call support.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
10–20 min
What you'll need
  • Smart home app (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, etc.)
  • Hub or controller (if required)
Step 1 of 7

Quick triage — pick your path

Quick triage — pick your path

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

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Steps

Goal: Check that the automation is enabled, the trigger can be met, and all devices are online.

  • Confirm the automation is enabled in the app. Verify you should see it toggled on.
  • Check the trigger—time, sensor, device state, or location. Confirm the condition can be met.
  • Confirm all devices in the automation are online.
  • Good: The automation runs when the trigger is met. Bad: The automation still will not run—recreate it or call support.

Enable check

Goal: Confirm the automation is enabled.

  • Open the app and find the automation. Check it is not paused or disabled.
  • Good: Automation is on. Bad: Automation is off—enable it and test.

Trigger check

Goal: Confirm the trigger condition can be met.

  • For time-based: check timezone. For sensor-based: check sensor is online. For location: check app has location permission.
  • Good: Trigger can be met. Bad: Trigger is blocked—fix the condition.

When to get help

Call the manufacturer if:

  • The automation still will not run after checking enable, trigger, devices, and recreating.
  • You have tried all steps and the automation never runs.

Verification

  • The automation runs when the trigger condition is met.
  • All actions execute as expected.
  • No errors in the app when the automation runs.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm enabled Check automation is on and not paused.
  2. Check trigger Confirm trigger condition can be met.
  3. Check devices Confirm all devices are online.
  4. Recreate Delete and recreate the automation.
  5. Call support Manufacturer support if all steps fail.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Automation name and trigger type
  • Devices in the automation
  • Steps already tried

Is the automation enabled?

Disabled or paused automations will not run.

Open the app and check the automation is turned on. Good: automation is enabled. Bad: automation is disabled—enable it and test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Enable the automation

Turn on the automation in the app. Test by meeting the trigger condition or running it manually.

Done

Can the trigger condition be met?

Time, sensor, device state, or location must be correct.

Check the trigger. For time: confirm timezone. For sensor: confirm sensor is online. For location: confirm app has location permission. Good: trigger can be met. Bad: trigger blocked—fix the condition.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Fix the trigger

Correct the trigger condition (timezone, sensor, location permission). Test the automation again.

Done

Are all devices online?

Offline devices can cause automations to fail.

Check that every device in the automation is online. Good: all online. Bad: one or more offline—fix device connectivity first.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Fix device connectivity

Get the offline devices back online. Then test the automation again.

Done

Recreate the automation

Delete the automation and create it again. Test. Good: automation runs. Bad: still fails—call support.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

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