5 Common n8n Errors and How to Fix Them

n8n is a powerful tool for automating workflows, but like any software, users may encounter errors. This guide highlights five common n8n errors and provides actionable solutions to help you troubleshoot effectively.

1. Error: "Request failed with status code 401"

Cause: This error occurs when n8n fails to authenticate with an external service due to invalid or missing credentials.

Solution:

Double-check the API key or credentials entered in the node.

Verify that the API endpoint URL is correct.

Ensure that the external service account has the necessary permissions.

Pro Tip: Some services require additional headers or scopes for API access—review the API documentation carefully.

2. Error: "Cannot connect to database"

Cause: This error typically arises when n8n cannot establish a connection to the configured database, often due to incorrect settings or server issues.

Solution:

Check the database connection string in your .env file or n8n configuration.

Ensure that the database server is running and accessible.

Verify network settings, such as firewalls or IP restrictions, that might block access.

Pro Tip: Use a database client like pgAdmin or MySQL Workbench to test the connection independently.

3. Error: "Workflow execution process did not finish"

Cause: This error occurs when a workflow takes too long to execute, often due to resource constraints or infinite loops.

Solution:

Increase the timeout settings in your n8n configuration file:

EXECUTIONS_PROCESS_TIMEOUT=3600

Optimize your workflow by breaking it into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Monitor server performance and allocate additional resources if needed.

Pro Tip: Check for unnecessary loops or large data operations that could slow down execution.

4. Error: "Node is not properly configured"

Cause: This error happens when required fields in a node are incomplete or incorrectly set up.

Solution:

Open the node and review all required fields to ensure they are correctly filled.

Consult the node’s documentation for setup details.

Use the “Test” button in the node configuration to validate the setup.

Pro Tip: Enable debug mode in n8n to get detailed logs for misconfigured nodes.

5. Error: "Webhook URL not reachable"

Cause: The webhook node cannot receive requests, often because the n8n instance is not accessible from the internet.

Solution:

Verify that n8n is running on a publicly accessible domain or IP address.

If running locally, use a tunneling service like ngrok to expose the webhook URL.

Ensure that the webhook URL is correctly configured in the external service.

Pro Tip: Check the n8n logs for detailed error messages related to the webhook.

Conclusion

Encountering errors in n8n is a natural part of the automation journey. By understanding these common issues and their solutions, you can troubleshoot effectively and keep your workflows running smoothly. If you’re still stuck, the n8n community forum is a great place to seek help from other users and developers.

What n8n challenges have you faced? Share your experiences in the comments below!