The “Connection Timeout” error in Power Automate occurs when a flow is unable to connect to a data source within the expected time. This can cause failures in retrieving, updating, or sending data.
Error Message:
"Connection timeout – The connection to the data source timed out during the flow."
This issue can be caused by:
- Slow network or high latency
- Temporary service outage or API delay
- Large data retrieval exceeding timeout limits
- Firewall or proxy blocking requests
- Incorrect connection settings or expired tokens
2. Common Causes and Fixes
| Cause | Description | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Slow Network / Latency | The connection to the data source is taking too long. | Try running the flow at a different time or using a stable connection. |
| Service Outage or API Delay | The service is down or experiencing high traffic. | Check the service status and retry later. |
| Large Data Retrieval | A query or API call is taking too long to return data. | Optimize queries and reduce the amount of data retrieved. |
| Firewall or Proxy Issues | Security settings may be blocking the connection. | Whitelist Power Automate’s IP addresses. |
| Incorrect Connection Settings | The URL or environment is incorrect. | Verify and update connection settings. |
3. Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Step 1: Check the Network Connection
A slow or unstable internet connection can cause timeouts.
Steps to check:
- Try running the flow on a different network.
- Check if other applications are facing slow connectivity.
- Restart the router or use a wired connection if possible.
Example Fix:
- If running Power Automate in a corporate network, try from a personal or mobile hotspot to rule out network restrictions.
Step 2: Check the Service Status
If the data source (e.g., SharePoint, SQL Server, Dataverse, or a third-party API) is down or slow, your flow may time out.
🔹 How to check service status:
- Microsoft Services: https://status.office365.com
- Azure Services: https://status.azure.com
- Third-party APIs: Check their status page for outages.
Example Fix:
- If the service is down, wait for it to be restored.
- If an API is slow, retry later or contact the service provider.
Step 3: Reduce Data Retrieval Size
If the flow is retrieving too much data, it can exceed timeout limits.
Steps to optimize:
- Use Filters to limit query results.
- Use pagination to retrieve data in smaller chunks.
- Avoid “Get all records” in Power Automate if not necessary.
Example Fix for SharePoint Query:
Instead of:
Filter(SharePointList, Status = "Active")
Try using delegation-friendly functions like Search or Lookup.
Step 4: Increase Timeout Limit (If Supported)
Some connectors allow increasing timeout settings.
Steps to increase timeout (if applicable):
- Open Power Automate.
- Edit the action where timeout occurs.
- Check if there is a Timeout setting (e.g., in HTTP requests or SQL queries).
- Increase the timeout value if possible.
Example Fix:
- If using an HTTP request, increase the timeout limit in the connector settings.
Step 5: Check Firewall and Proxy Settings
If using an on-premises data source (e.g., SQL Server, SharePoint On-Prem), security settings might be blocking Power Automate requests.
Steps to fix:
- Ensure Power Automate’s IP addresses are whitelisted in your firewall settings.
- If using a proxy server, allow traffic to Microsoft services.
- Check the On-Premises Data Gateway status (for on-prem sources).
Example Fix:
- Open On-Premises Data Gateway on the host machine.
- Ensure it shows “Online”.
- Restart the gateway if needed.
Step 6: Reauthenticate the Connection
An expired authentication token can cause timeouts.
Steps to fix:
- Open Power Automate.
- Go to Data → Connections.
- Look for any connections marked as Needs Attention.
- Click Fix Connection and sign in again.
Example Fix:
- If the flow times out connecting to Dataverse, refresh the connection.
Step 7: Retry with a Delay
If the timeout is due to temporary slow service, configure the flow to retry with a delay.
Steps to enable retry policy:
- Open Power Automate.
- Click on the failing action.
- Go to Settings → Retry Policy.
- Set it to Exponential Backoff.
Example Fix:
- If the SQL Server query is timing out, set retries with increasing delay.
4. Preventative Measures
✔ Use a Stable Network to prevent connectivity issues.
✔ Monitor API Rate Limits to avoid service slowdowns.
✔ Optimize Queries to reduce processing time.
✔ Whitelist Power Automate IPs if using a firewall.
✔ Enable Retry Policies for temporary failures.