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Problem with timer
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11.03.2026
17:34
LukaszJanicki

Hi,

I've created a timer with an action 'Update item list values' and 'send a custom email'. I want it to refresh my item list every 6 hours. Please find attached my timer configuration (to test it I set the interval to 1 minute and added an email action I mentioned above). I saved the process and waited looking at my form instance. Nothing happened. I also can't see this timer in Reports > Timer operations activity analysis.
Do you know why? Perhaps I have to restart my workflow service?

I have some timers on another processes that work perfectly. However, I was never able to test them efficiently by reducing the interval to a very short period of time and wait for the actions.

Would be grateful for your help,
Łukasz Janicki

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12.03.2026
21:23
MVP
Daniel Krüger (DCCS)

Hi Łukasz,

I’m wondering whether it would be better to create a new workflow instance every 6 hours instead of refreshing the existing one.

Whenever a timer is executes, you create a new version which may cause problems before long. I haven’t verified whether the maximum number of version has been extended beyond 65536.


Here you can find a few interesting things about timers previously timeouts.
https://daniels-notes.de/posts/2021/unified-save-experience

Best regards,
Daniel

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16.03.2026
12:55
LukaszJanicki
In reply to: Daniel Krüger (DCCS)

Hi Łukasz,

I’m wondering whether it would be better to create a new workflow instance every 6 hours instead of refreshing the existing one.

Whenever a timer is executes, you create a new version which may cause problems before long. I haven’t verified whether the maximum number of version has been extended beyond 65536.


Here you can find a few interesting things about timers previously timeouts.
https://daniels-notes.de/posts/2021/unified-save-experience

Best regards,
Daniel

Thank you Jacek and Daniel. The key to understading the problem was that timers are created on path transition. That's why my tests failed. I initiatied (created) the timer after the form had already reached the target step.

Eventually, I've implemented a method from a different note by Daniel. This one: https://daniels-notes.de/posts/2024/related-workflows.
I needed my item list to be updated based on subworkflows. It turned out that the easiest way was to save subworkflow ids on my item list and then present information on that item list from subworkflows with data rows. It is easiest than a timer and displays data instantly.

Best regards,
Lukasz

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