I have a flow that's been running on the server (it just exists on our Tableau Online instance with a scheduled hourly task) successfully for about 4 months (takes about 7 minutes to run). Last week, it randomly started stalling out on the server (when we look at the job, it was running for 300+ minutes and doesn't complete). It gets to the row generation step, and stops at the same number of rows. The flow doesn't fail, it just keeps running with no progress. We're able to run it on our local machines without any issue. Already checked some potential causes (plenty of storage left, no direct connections to SFDC that would slow it down, no new changes were made to it, etc.). Anyone know what could cause this?
There could be several potential causes for the issue you're experiencing with the flow stalling out on the server. Here are a few possibilities to consider:
- Resource constraints: The server may be experiencing resource limitations such as insufficient memory, CPU usage, or disk space. Even though you mentioned that there is plenty of storage left, it's worth checking if any other processes or services are consuming excessive resources, potentially impacting the flow's execution.
- Data-related issues: Analyze the data involved in the flow and check if there have been any significant changes, such as increased data volume or problematic data entries. It's possible that the flow encounters a specific data point or condition that causes it to stall. Consider examining the data at the point where the flow stalls to identify any patterns or anomalies.
- External dependencies: Although you mentioned there are no direct connections to Salesforce (SFDC) slowing down the flow, it's worth verifying if there are any other external dependencies that the flow relies on, such as APIs or web services. If any of these dependencies experience slowdowns or connectivity issues, it can impact the flow's execution.
- Infrastructure changes: Check if there have been any recent changes to the server infrastructure, network configuration, or security settings. These changes could potentially affect the flow's performance or introduce compatibility issues.
- Software updates or bugs: If there have been recent updates to the Tableau Online instance or any related software components, there may be a possibility of new bugs or compatibility issues. Review any release notes or changelogs for recent updates and see if they coincide with the timing of the flow stalling issue.
To troubleshoot the problem further, you can try the following steps:
- Check server logs: Examine the server logs for any error messages or warnings related to the flow. This can provide insights into what might be causing the issue.
- Run diagnostic tests: If possible, run diagnostic tests on the server to identify any performance bottlenecks or underlying issues that could be affecting the flow's execution.
- Contact support: Reach out to the support team for the Tableau Online instance or any relevant software involved. They might have encountered similar issues before and can provide specific guidance or solutions.
- Break down the flow: Consider dividing the flow into smaller steps or tasks to identify which specific part is causing the stalling issue. This can help narrow down the problem and focus your troubleshooting efforts.
