n8n Default Error Handler

This n8n workflow provides a robust, centralized error handling mechanism for your n8n instance. Instead of configuring individual error workflows for each of your active workflows, this single workflow can catch and process errors from all of them.

What it does

This workflow is designed to be set as the default error workflow for your entire n8n instance. When any other workflow on your n8n instance fails, this workflow will be triggered.

1. Listens for Errors: The workflow starts with an Error Trigger node, which is specifically designed to catch errors from other workflows.
2. Conditional Email Notification: It includes an If node, which can be configured to send an email notification via Gmail based on specific conditions of the error. This allows for customizable alerting (e.g., only notify for critical errors).
3. Custom Code Execution: A Code node is included, providing a flexible way to execute custom JavaScript logic. This could be used for advanced logging, data manipulation, or integration with other services not directly supported by n8n nodes.
4. n8n Workflow Interaction: An n8n node is present, enabling interaction with the n8n instance itself. This could be used to restart failed workflows, update workflow statuses, or trigger other n8n workflows based on the error.
5. Scheduled Maintenance/Checks (Optional): A Schedule Trigger and Sticky Note are included, hinting at the potential to extend this workflow for scheduled tasks, such as regular checks of workflow statuses or cleanup operations, although they are not connected in the provided JSON.

Prerequisites/Requirements

• An n8n instance (self-hosted or cloud).
• A configured Gmail credential (or another email service) if you wish to enable email notifications for errors.
• Basic understanding of JavaScript for the Code node.
• An n8n API key/credential if the n8n node is intended to interact with the n8n instance via its API.

Setup/Usage

1. Import the Workflow: Import this JSON definition into your n8n instance.
2. Set as Default Error Workflow:
   • Go to your n8n instance settings.
   • Navigate to "Error Workflow" (or similar setting, depending on your n8n version).
   • Select this imported workflow as your default error workflow.
3. Configure Credentials:
   • If you plan to use the Gmail node for email notifications, configure a Gmail credential.
   • If you plan to use the n8n node to interact with your n8n instance, ensure you have an appropriate n8n API credential set up.
4. Customize Error Handling Logic:
   • If Node: Modify the conditions in the If node to define when specific actions (like sending an email) should occur based on the error data (e.g., workflow name, error message, error type).
   • Gmail Node: Configure the recipient, subject, and body of the email notification. You can use expressions to dynamically include details from the error trigger.
   • Code Node: Add JavaScript code to perform custom actions upon error, such as logging to an external service, transforming error data, or triggering specific recovery steps.
   • n8n Node: Configure this node to interact with your n8n instance, for example, to restart a specific workflow that failed.
5. Activate the Workflow: Ensure the workflow is active in your n8n instance.

Now, whenever any workflow on your n8n instance fails, this error handler will be triggered, allowing you to centralize your error monitoring and response.