# Troubleshooting flows and approval processes

*Platform Administrator II Study Guide · Process Automation · Last updated October 26, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator-ii/process-automation/troubleshooting-flows-and-approval-processes*

Which tool finds the cause when automation misbehaves: flow error emails, fault paths, Test Mode and the debugger, debug logs, the Time-Based Automations page, and orchestration fault emails, plus the documented reasons flows and approvals silently fail.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Administrator II
- Exam section: Process Automation
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator-ii

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, identify the appropriate tool or method for troubleshooting declarative automation.

## What the exam expects

- Pick the diagnostic for a symptom: error email, Test Mode or debugger, a debug log, Time-Based Automations, or an orchestration fault email.
- Explain how fault paths change rollback and what makes error emails useful.
- Recognise documented reasons a flow does not fire or misbehaves, from cross-object formulas to unsupported path references.
- Troubleshoot classic submission errors and Flow Approval Process approvers and fault paths.

Key terms: **fault path** (the alternate route a flow takes when an element fails); **failed interview** (a flow run that ended in an unhandled fault); **trace flag** (activates a debug log for one user at a chosen debug level); **orchestration run** (the run behind each Flow Approval Process submission); **approval work item** (the task an approval step assigns to a reviewer).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Empty fault path | Same behaviour as no fault path | [Default Flow Error Handling](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_build_logic_fault_default.htm&type=5) |
| Record-triggered flow, no fault path | Triggering change blocked and rolled back | [Default Flow Error Handling](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_build_logic_fault_default.htm&type=5) |
| Pre-activation testing | Test Mode (beta) for record-triggered and autolaunched flows; debugger for other types | [Testing Your Flow](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_testing.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| ISCLONE() in debug | Always FALSE | [Record-Triggered Flow Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_considerations_trigger_record.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Debug level for flows | Workflow at Finer, on a trace flag for the acting user | [Debug Logs Article](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000392579&language=en_US&type=1) |
| Scheduled path retries | After 15, 30, 60, 120, 240 minutes; maximum 5 | [Scheduled Paths](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_scheduled_path.htm&type=5) |
| Failed approval submission | Orchestration run fails and sends a fault email | [Flow Approval Processes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.automate_automated_approvals.htm&type=5) |
| $User as approver Resource | Resolves to the system user; step cannot be assigned | [Stage Errors](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.automate_automated_approvals_add_error_handling.htm) |

## Check yourself

- Why does a flow on Account not run when a Contact field shown in an Account formula changes?
- When does a record-triggered flow's failure not roll back the user's change?
- Why should you test every Decision outcome, including the default, before activating a flow?
- Where do you find the details of a failed Flow Approval Process submission?
- What happens on Submit for Approval when a record meets no classic process's entry criteria?

## Sources

- [Troubleshooting Flow Run Time Errors](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_troubleshoot.htm&language=en_US)
- [Customize What Happens When a Flow Fails](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_build_logic_fault.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Default Flow Error Handling](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_build_logic_fault_default.htm&type=5)
- [Testing Your Flow Before Activation](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_testing.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [How to Capture and Read Salesforce Debug Logs for Troubleshooting Flows, Apex, and Automations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000392579&language=en_US&type=1)
- [Record-Triggered Flow Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_considerations_trigger_record.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Scheduled Paths](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_scheduled_path.htm&type=5)
- [Migrate to Flow Tool Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.migrate_to_flow_tool_considerations.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Handle Stage Errors in Flow Approval Processes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.automate_automated_approvals_add_error_handling.htm)
- [Automate Your Approvals with Flow Approval Processes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.automate_automated_approvals.htm&type=5)
- [Limits and Considerations for Classic Approval Processes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.approvals_considerations.htm&language=en_US&type=5)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 13 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Administrator II pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams