When building automation in ManyChat, one of the most common questions is: “If I stop a flow, will it still run if it’s linked to another live flow?” The short answer is no.
A stopped (unpublished) flow becomes inactive. Even if another live flow tries to call it, the automation won’t trigger. ManyChat treats unpublished flows as if they don’t exist in the live environment.
đź”— How Flow Linking Works
- You can connect flows using buttons, actions, or conditions.
- These links only work if the target flow is published and active.
- If the target flow is stopped, the link breaks—users will either see nothing happen or encounter an error.
đźš« What Happens When a Flow Is Stopped
- The flow is unavailable to users.
- Any automation pointing to it will fail silently.
- It cannot be triggered until it’s set live again.
âś… Best Practices for Smooth Linking
- Publish all flows that are part of a chain.
- Use the “Go to Flow” action in the Flow Builder to connect them.
- Test flows using Preview or Live Chat before going live.
- If you want to pause a flow, consider duplicating it and linking to the active version instead.
🛠️ Troubleshooting Tips
- Check Automation → Flows to confirm the status of each linked flow.
- Use the “Set Live” button to publish inactive flows.
- If a flow is intentionally paused, make sure your live flows don’t depend on it
✨ Final Word
Automation in ManyChat is powerful, but it requires careful flow management. Think of each flow as a cog in a machine—if one cog stops, the whole chain can break. By ensuring all linked flows are published and active, you’ll keep your automation running smoothly and avoid frustrating dead ends for your users.