Workflows in SharePoint are great for automating approvals and routine tasks, but sometimes they get stuck showing “In Progress” and never complete. It usually occurs due to permissions, timer jobs, or outdated workflow actions. I’ve run into this SharePoint workflow stuck in progress error many times, so that’s why I know how to fix it step by step.
So, let’s begin this discussion:
Why SharePoint Workflows Get Stuck “In Progress”
When a workflow is stuck, it usually means SharePoint can’t complete one or more of its actions due to:
- The workflow account doesn’t have permission to update list items or send emails.
- In SharePoint on-premises, the Workflow Timer Job is not running.
- Sometimes a workflow instance gets corrupted and cannot proceed further.
- If there are too many workflows running at once, performance issues occur.
- Legacy SharePoint 2010 workflows often break in modern environments, and sometimes show a SharePoint HTTP 404 Not Found error.
These are the main root causes behind the workflow being stuck, which I found. Additionally, I troubleshoot this issue. But how? Let’s find!
How to Troubleshoot a SharePoint Workflow Stuck in Progress Issue?
Fixing this error permanently is impossible, as humans can make mistakes. However, temporarily, we can troubleshoot this by following these tricks:
#1. Check Workflow Status Page
Always start by opening the workflow status page. It gives detailed information about where the workflow is stuck or which action failed.
#2. Verify User Permissions
If the workflow needs to update a list or library, make sure the workflow initiator or the workflow service account has Contribute or higher permissions. If workflows keep failing after migration, you need a cutting-edge SharePoint Migration Tool, and review configuration steps when you migrate SharePoint On Premise to Online.
#3. Restart Workflow Timer Service (On-Premises)
In SharePoint Server:
- Open Central Administration.
- Click on Monitoring > Review Job Definitions and ensure the Workflow Timer Job is running.
Restarting it has resolved many of my stuck workflows, as mentioned in Microsoft’s guide on Workflow Timer Job in SharePoint Server.
#4. Re-Publish the Workflow
Open workflow in SharePoint Designer or Power Automate and republish it. Sometimes, even a minor change like re-saving the workflow fixes the SharePoint Workflow Stuck in Progress issue.
#5. Cancel & Restart the Workflow
When nothing else works, cancel the current workflow and start it again on the item. This clears any corruption.
Quick Fixes
- For email approval workflows, make sure the outgoing email settings (SMTP) are correctly configured.
- For SharePoint Online, I’ve migrated older 2010 workflows to Power Automate because Microsoft deprecated legacy workflows.
- When workflows failed after item updates, granting “Add and Edit” permissions to the workflow initiator solved the issue.
For added safety, you can backup SharePoint Online to local storage before troubleshooting, to avoid data loss.
How to Avoid SharePoint Workflow Stuck in Progress in Future?
Here’s how I prevent workflows from getting stuck in the future:
- Always test workflows with different user accounts.
- Keep workflows simple; complex ones cause issues.
- Use Power Automate instead of legacy workflows if you’re in SharePoint Online.
- Regularly monitor the Workflow History list to spot errors early.
- In on-premises, schedule a regular check to ensure Workflow Timer Jobs are running.
Remembering these points will help you to prevent this error in future.
Author’s Verdict
I know how frustrating it can be when a SharePoint Workflow stuck in progress. Fortunately, the issue isn’t permanent. By following the tricks we discussed, one can easily fix this.
People Also Ask
- Why is my SharePoint workflow not sending emails?
This usually happens if the outgoing email (SMTP) settings are not configured, or if the workflow account doesn’t have permission to send emails.
- How to cancel a stuck SharePoint workflow?
Open the workflow status page, click on Terminate Workflow, and confirm. Once cancelled, you can restart the workflow on the same list item or document.
- Can I fix a SharePoint Workflow Stuck in Progress without cancelling it?
Sometimes, yes, if it’s stuck due to permissions, granting the right permissions allows it to continue.
- Why do SharePoint 2010 workflows often get stuck in SharePoint Online?
Microsoft deprecated SharePoint 2010 workflows in Online environments. Many of their actions are unsupported, which is why I recommend migrating them to Power Automate.
- How to check if the Workflow Timer Job is running in SharePoint Server?
Open Central Administration, and click on Monitoring > Review Job Definitions. Look for the Workflow Timer Job and make sure it’s enabled and running.