ActiveCampaign Automation Not Triggering

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Make sure the automation is Active

   Copy steps
   1. Open Automations and open the automation.
   2. Switch the status toggle at the top right to Active. Contacts cannot enter an Inactive automation.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Match the trigger to how contacts arrive

   Copy steps
   1. If the form is not an ActiveCampaign form, use the 'Subscribes to a list' trigger instead of 'Submits a form'.
   2. Confirm the form actually adds the contact to the list you selected.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Check double opt-in

   Copy steps
   1. If the form uses double opt-in, the contact only enters after clicking the confirmation email.
   2. Look at the contact's status in the list: 'Unconfirmed' means they have not entered yet.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Account for the activation time

   Copy steps
   1. Tags or list adds that happened before activation do not trigger entry. Re-apply the tag, or add existing contacts via an 'Add to automation' action or a bulk add.
   2. Check the contact record's Automations tab and activity log to see where they stopped.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Rule out a backlog

   1. Check status.activecampaign.com for delayed automation processing, and contact support if contacts sit on a wait step.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Contacts meet your conditions but never appear in the automation's contact list, or the automation worked and then stopped.

Why it happens

• Automation is set to Inactive
• Third-party form used with a 'Submits form' trigger
• Double opt-in not yet confirmed by the contact
• Tag or list was applied before the automation was activated
• Platform processing backlog

This guide also covers

• activecampaign automation not working
• activecampaign contacts not entering automation
• activecampaign automation not triggering

The same problem in other apps

All integrations, automations & extensions guides →

• ConvertKit (Kit) Automation Not Triggering (ConvertKit (Kit))

Other ActiveCampaign errors

• ActiveCampaign Emails Going to Spam
• ActiveCampaign Account Under Review or Sending Paused
• ActiveCampaign Form Not Working
• ActiveCampaign Contact Limit and Bill Jumped
• ActiveCampaign Campaign Not Sending or Stuck
• ActiveCampaign Integration Not Syncing
• How to Cancel ActiveCampaign Subscription