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Start with n8n’s Executions view. If there is a matching run, its status and node details show how far the workflow got; if there is no run, investigate the trigger and whether the intended workflow version is published. A workflow can start successfully and still fail when it reaches a Home Assistant operation, so diagnose the stage rather than assuming one cause.
1. Check whether n8n recorded a run
Open the workflow’s Executions tab and filter by workflow, status, and start time. n8n documents the statuses Failed, Running, Success, and Waiting. Select a matching execution to inspect its node-by-node details and any error shown. See n8n’s All executions documentation.
- No matching execution: look next at the trigger, schedule settings, workflow publication, and whether the event reached the trigger. This narrows the investigation; it does not prove a particular cause.
- Failed execution: find the node where execution stopped and read its error before changing settings.
- Running or Waiting: inspect the execution’s current state and node details; it has not reached a recorded Success status.
- Success: n8n recorded a successful workflow run. If the expected device behavior did not happen, inspect the Home Assistant operation and its result rather than treating the trigger as untested.
2. If the workflow is scheduled, verify its settings and publication
For a Schedule Trigger, first confirm that the workflow is saved and published. n8n’s Schedule Trigger documentation states: “If a workflow uses the Schedule node as a trigger, make sure that you save and publish the workflow.”
Check the timezone and interval
Check the workflow timezone. If no workflow timezone is set, n8n uses the instance timezone. Compare the configured interval or cron expression with the time you expect the automation to run; a timezone mismatch can make a correctly configured schedule appear mistimed.
The Tool Desk
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For monthly schedules, check whether the selected day exists in the month in question. A monthly trigger set for a day that a particular month does not contain will not fire in that month.
Do not assume downtime will trigger a catch-up run
By default, n8n discards scheduled executions missed while it is down and resumes on schedule. Catch-up behavior is available only for eligible Schedule Trigger nodes introduced in n8n 2.36 and when the durable scheduler is running. The default in-memory scheduler does not run missed executions. Check the version and scheduler configuration that apply to your instance in the Schedule Trigger documentation; do not expect automatic backfill after downtime.
Rank #2
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3. If an execution failed, inspect the failing node
Open the failed execution and identify the first node that did not complete as expected. Its details are more useful than changing the trigger blindly: an execution record means the workflow began, but it does not mean every downstream action succeeded.
4. Check the Home Assistant credential and operation
The n8n Home Assistant node requires Home Assistant credentials and supports operations including service calls, state reads, and state updates. Review the failed node’s execution details, then confirm that the node uses the intended credential and operation. For a service call, verify the selected service, domain, and entity; for a state operation, confirm the intended state action. Consult the n8n Home Assistant node documentation for the node’s supported operations.
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Rank #3
- Powered by SmartThings: Connect, monitor, and automate your home through the SmartThings app. Build a reliable, unified smart home using Samsung's proven ecosystem
- Matter + Zigbee Smart Home Hub: Supports the newest Matter standard plus Zigbee for lighting, sensors, plugs, switches, thermostats, and more - thousands of compatible devices. PLEASE NOTE: Z-Wave not supported
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5. Confirm the published workflow on the instance running it
If you use n8n source control, distinguish the saved version from the published version. n8n’s source-control environments tutorial explains that the pushed version is the saved workflow, not the published version, and that versions on the remote server must be published separately. Confirm that the intended workflow version is published on the instance responsible for the automation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.6. Use the security audit as a supporting clue
n8n’s security audit can flag issues such as credentials unused in active or recently active workflows, unprotected webhooks, missing security settings, and outdated instances. Treat an audit finding as a lead to investigate, not proof that it caused this workflow to stop.
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Rank #4
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What to record before asking for installation-specific help
- The trigger type, n8n version, and hosting mode.
- Whether the workflow is saved and published on the instance that should run it.
- Whether a matching execution exists, its status, and the node error or details.
- For a Home Assistant action, the selected operation and relevant service response.
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