Here is a guide to diagnosing and fixing the most frequent n8n problems on Hordanso VPS.
Error 1: Workflow Not Triggering
Webhook trigger not firing
- Make sure the workflow is Activated (toggle at top right must be ON — green)
- Use the Production Webhook URL, not the Test URL, for live integrations
- Your n8n instance must be accessible via a public HTTPS URL — check that your domain/IP is reachable
- Check the external service (WhatsApp, Shopify, etc.) to confirm the webhook is pointed to the correct n8n URL
Schedule trigger not firing
- Confirm the workflow is activated
- Check the server timezone — n8n runs in UTC by default. If you set a cron for 9am, it runs at 9am UTC (10am WAT)
- SSH into the server and run: docker logs n8n_n8n_1 to see if there are any errors
Error 2: Node Credential Failure
If a node shows 'Could not connect' or 'Invalid credentials':
- Click on the failing node.
- Click the Credential dropdown and select Edit Credential.
- Re-enter or re-authorise the credential (for OAuth, click Connect and log in again).
- Click Save and re-run the workflow.
Note: OAuth tokens (Gmail, Google Sheets, etc.) expire. If a workflow that worked before suddenly fails, reconnect the credential.
Error 3: Execution Timeout
If executions time out before completing:
- Increase the execution timeout: in n8n Settings > General > Execution Timeout
- Enable Queue Mode (available from Workflow Pro plan upward) to run long executions in the background
- Break large workflows into smaller sub-workflows using the Execute Workflow node
Error 4: n8n Dashboard Not Loading
If you cannot access the n8n URL in your browser:
- SSH into your server.
- Run: docker ps to check if the n8n container is running.
- If the container is not listed or shows Exited, restart it:
docker restart n8n_n8n_1
- Wait 30 seconds, then try the URL again.
- If it still does not load, check disk space: df -h. A full disk prevents n8n from starting.
Error 5: Rate Limit or API Quota Errors
If a node fails with '429 Too Many Requests' or 'quota exceeded':
- Add a Wait node between API calls to slow down the workflow
- Check your API quota in the relevant service dashboard (Google, OpenAI, etc.)
- Switch to a paid API tier if you have outgrown the free quota
