How to Run and Troubleshoot Automations in Mydrop

By the end of this tutorial you'll be able to run a saved automation in Mydrop, confirm it completed, and fix common setup issues so your repeatable social publishing runs reliably.

Mydrop data, 30 days to 16 September 2026: what happened to scheduled posts when their time came, across posts published through Mydrop.

Outcome	Share of posts
Live, no issue	89.9%
Live, with a warning	8.5%
Failed	1.5%
Stuck in the queue	0%

That is 98.5% live at the first attempt. The most common warning was a YouTube custom thumbnail skipped because the channel was not phone-verified; the most common failure was an expired platform connection. Both can be fixed before the post is due, which is what a pre-publish check is for.

Open the Automations area from the main navigation to follow along. The Automations list shows your saved automations and the controls that go with them, such as New Automation, Run once, Pause, Duplicate, Edit, and Delete. This section gets you ready to check permissions, content, and schedule before you run or test an automation.

Before you start

Checklist

1. Workspace access and permissions

   • Confirm your account has permission to view and run automations in the workspace.
   • If the automation needs approval, confirm approver accounts are available and invited.

2. Target profiles or groups

   • Identify the profile or profile group the automation will publish to.
   • Check that each target profile is active and connected to the platform you intend to post to.

3. Required media and captions

   • Upload any images, videos, or attachments you plan to post.
   • Write and save captions, including platform-specific fields (example: alt text, link previews, hashtags).
   • For tests, prepare a small set of media and a short caption so runs complete quickly.

4. Platform-specific requirements

   • Check platform limits (image size, video length, caption length) and make sure your content meets them.
   • Add any required fields for the target platform before you run.

5. Time zones and schedule checks

   • Confirm your workspace time zone and the intended posting time.
   • For scheduled automations, check the schedule uses the expected time zone to avoid off-hour posts.

6. Approval and notification settings

   • If the automation needs post approval, make sure approvers are assigned.
   • Confirm notification channels (email or workspace notifications) are set up so you get success or error alerts.

7. Automation state and saved edits

   • Open Automations and find the automation you want to run.
   • Make sure the automation is saved and not left with unsaved edits.
   • Make sure the automation isn't paused if you intend to run it straight away.

Quick preflight steps

1. Open Main nav > Automations and find the automation row you'll test.
2. Click Edit to open the builder and quickly confirm profiles, caption, media, trigger, and options are set.
3. Save any edits, then head back to the Automations list and confirm the row updates (status, last run, next run).

Why these checks matter

• Missing captions, required platform fields, or media are the most common reasons a run fails.
• Running with the wrong profile or in the wrong time zone means posts go live where or when you didn't expect.
• Unsaved edits or a paused automation stop a run from executing even when everything else is correct.

What you should see before carrying on

• The Automations list shows the saved automation with a clear status (active or paused) and recent run details.
• Media and caption previews in the builder match the content you intend to publish.
• Approvers and notification options are visible when the automation needs them.

Only move on to the automation run steps once every checklist item is green. It cuts the chance of errors and makes validation faster when you run the automation or do a test Run once.

By the end of these steps you'll have opened Automations and set up the basics for a saved automation that's ready to run or edit.

Step 1: Open the feature

1. From the main navigation, click Automations.

   • What to expect: the Automations page appears with a list of saved automations and a prominent New Automation button.

2. Find the New Automation button and the saved-automations list.

   • What to click: New Automation to start a new workflow.
   • What to check: the list shows rows for existing automations with columns for name, status, last run, next run, and actions.

3. Scan the automation row controls.

   • What you'll see: action controls such as Run once, Pause, Duplicate, Edit, and Delete visible on each row or inside a row menu.
   • Why it matters: these actions let you test, pause, copy, change, or remove an automation without opening the builder.

4. Open an existing automation for a quick look (optional).

   • What to click: Edit or the automation name in the list.
   • What to see: the automation opens in the builder where steps and saved values are visible. This confirms you have permission to view and edit the automation.

5. Check the page-level indicators and status.

   • What to look for: status labels (Paused, Active), a last-run timestamp, and any brief error or warning indicators shown in the list.
   • Expected result: the Automations list shows at least one saved automation, or the New Automation button if there aren't any yet.

Step 2: Set up the basics

Quick checklist before building (one-line checks)

• Confirm you have permission to run or edit automations in your workspace.
• Confirm target profiles or profile groups exist and are selected.
• Make sure required media and captions are ready for the post.

1. Start a new automation.

   • What to click: New Automation on the Automations page.
   • What to see: the builder opens and asks you for a name and basic choices such as profiles, trigger type, and schedule.

2. Name the automation and choose target profiles or a group.

   • What to enter: a clear name that describes the workflow (for example, Weekly Promo Posts).
   • What to choose: one or more profiles or a predefined profile group.
   • What to check: selected profiles appear in the builder summary; if none are shown, pick at least one before saving.

3. Select a trigger type.

   • What to choose: a time-based schedule (for recurring runs) or an event trigger if available.
   • What to check: fields for frequency, date ranges, and time zone. Make sure the schedule matches the time zone you intend to publish in to avoid timing mistakes.

4. Set up the schedule or event details.

   • What to set: interval or exact date/time for the trigger, and any hourly/day/month options that appear.
   • Why it matters: the wrong frequency or time zone is a common cause of missed runs. Confirm Next run or the schedule preview if the builder shows it.

5. Save the basic settings.

   • What to click: Save, Save Draft, or the builder Continue/Next button until you're back at the main builder summary.
   • What to expect: the automation appears in the Automations list with the name you entered and a status such as Active or Paused depending on your choice.

6. Quick check after saving.

   • Where to look: the saved automation row in Automations.
   • What to see: the name, chosen profiles, status, and a Last run field (empty for new automations) or Next run date if scheduled.
   • What to do if you don't see the expected values: open Edit to confirm profiles, trigger, and that the automation saved successfully.

7. Optional: set the automation to Run once for a test.

   • What to click: Run once from the automation row.
   • Expected result: a run starts straight away and the row updates with run status or a link to the logs. Use this to confirm the basic setup works before you add content.

Conclusion hint: once these basic steps are done, move on to adding content, media, and notifications in the builder, then do a test run and check the run details to confirm publishing worked.

After this step you'll have added captions, media, platform options, and notification settings to a saved automation, and learned how to save, preview, and run it to check everything works.

Step 3: Add the content or settings

Short checklist before editing content:

• Target profiles or group selected.
• Media files uploaded to the workspace or profile library.
• Captions and platform-specific fields prepared.
• Approver(s) identified if approval is required.

1. Open the saved automation and go to the content step.
2. Add the main caption or post text.
   • Click into the caption box and paste or type the final copy.
   • For multi-platform automations, check each platform tab and adjust captions if platform limits or formatting differ.
   • Check: the caption area shouldn't show a required-field error once it's complete.
3. Attach media.
   • Click Add media and choose images or video from the workspace library, or upload new files.
   • Confirm each selected file shows a thumbnail or filename in the media area.
   • Check: platforms that need media will show an alert if none is attached.
4. Set up platform-specific options.
   • For each destination (for example, Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook), open its options and set required fields such as link previews, alt text, or card settings.
   • If the platform offers scheduling options in the builder, check the chosen schedule matches your time zone and posting window.
   • Check: the UI should show platform validation messages if something is missing or invalid.
5. Set notifications and approvals.
   • Turn on notifications or add approvers if the automation needs review before posting.
   • Choose workspace members or approver groups and confirm the approver list saves.
   • Check: an approver requirement should be visible in the automation summary and will block runs until approved.
6. Set up repeating options or post frequency if the automation should publish periodically.
   • Select interval or schedule options and confirm the next run time updates in the preview area.
   • Check: make sure the interval doesn't clash with platform rate limits or workspace posting windows (the UI will flag obvious conflicts).
7. Save the content step.
   • Click Save or Save and Continue depending on the builder.
   • Wait for the filled or saved indicator to appear (for example, a confirmation message or a filled loading icon).
   • Check: unsaved edits will usually show a draft or unsaved marker. Confirm it disappears after saving.
8. Preview the assembled post.
   • Use the Preview button if available to see how the post will look for each platform and profile.
   • Check caption length, media display, and any platform cards or link previews.
   • Check: the preview should match what appears in the calendar or a single-run test.

Tip: If you're not sure which field is required, try a Run once test (Step 4) to surface validation messages quickly.

Step 4: Review the workflow

Outcome: confirm the automation row shows the correct status and last-run details, and check the run logs to verify success or find errors you can act on.

1. Head back to the Automations list.
   • Find the automation row you edited.
   • Confirm the status column shows Active, Paused, or Draft as expected.
   • Check: the row should display a next-run time or last-run timestamp after a run.
2. Run a quick test using Run once.
   • Click Run once for a one-time execution to check settings without changing the saved schedule.
   • Check: run status should update to Running, then to Success or Failed, in the run details link.
3. Open run details or logs.
   • Click the run or last-run link in the automation row to view the run output.
   • Look for success confirmations or specific error messages such as missing captions, media failures, permission errors, or approval blocks.
   • Check: the log should show which profile or platform failed so you can edit only the affected items.
4. Fix common errors and re-run.
   • Wrong profile selected: edit profiles and Save.
   • Missing caption or platform field: add the field and Save.
   • No media uploaded where required: attach media and Save.
   • Time zone or schedule mismatch: adjust the schedule and confirm the next-run time.
   • Paused automation: toggle to Active and Save.
   • Check: after each fix, use Run once to confirm the specific error no longer appears.
5. Use Duplicate for safe edits.
   • If you need to try bigger changes, Duplicate the automation and test on the copy.
   • Check: the duplicate should inherit the content and settings but let you edit without affecting the live automation.
6. Confirm notifications and approvals.
   • Check that notification recipients get the expected alerts after a successful run or approval request.
   • Check: approvers should see the pending item in their workspace notifications until they approve.

Final check: the automation row shows a recent successful last-run entry or a scheduled next-run, and the run details/logs show success messages or clear, actionable errors that you've resolved.

Troubleshooting and next steps

Once you've worked through these steps you can run a saved automation, confirm the result, and fix common setup issues so the automation runs reliably. Use this checklist and the step-by-step fixes when a run shows errors or doesn't publish.

Quick checklist before troubleshooting

• Confirm the automation is saved and not paused.
• Confirm the correct profile or profile group is selected.
• Confirm required media is uploaded and captions/platform fields are filled in.
• Know the automation time zone and scheduled time.
• Confirm you have workspace permission to run or edit the automation.

Step-by-step troubleshooting

1. Do a test run (Run once)

   1. From Automations, find the saved automation row and click Run once.
   2. Expect: the UI shows a running state, then a status update in the row (success or failure).
   3. If nothing happens, confirm the automation is saved and not paused, then try Run once again.

2. Check run status and logs

   1. Open the automation row details or the run history link.
   2. Look for a clear success message or a specific error message in the logs.
   3. Check the last-run timestamp updates and any error text explains which field failed.

3. Fix a wrong or empty profile selection

   1. Edit the automation.
   2. Re-select the target profile or profile group from the profiles step.
   3. Save, then Run once. Expect the run to target the chosen profiles and show success for each one.

4. Sort out a missing caption or required platform fields

   1. Edit the automation content step.
   2. Add the caption and complete platform-specific options (for example: post type, link preview options).
   3. Save and Run once. Expect success; if the run still fails, the log will list the missing field.

5. Add required media

   1. Edit the automation and upload the required images or videos in the media step.
   2. Save and Run once for a test.
   3. If a platform needs a specific media type, check the file format and size meet the platform prompt before re-running.

6. Fix time zone or schedule mismatches

   1. Edit the trigger or schedule step and confirm the automation time zone and scheduled time.
   2. If a scheduled run seems off, adjust the time or run a Run once test to check immediate behaviour.
   3. Expect the next-run column in Automations to match your updated schedule.

7. Deal with paused automations and unsaved edits

   1. Check the status column: if it says Paused, click to resume.
   2. If edits were made but not saved, re-open the automation, finish the required fields, and click Save before running.
   3. Expect saved edits to appear in the automation row and be used on the next run.

8. Confirm workspace permissions and approver settings

   1. If a run fails with an authorisation or approval error, confirm you have run/edit rights for the workspace.
   2. If the automation needs approval, check the configured approver(s) and whether they got the review request.
   3. Fix the approver settings or request the necessary permission, then re-run.

Quick fixes for common error messages

• "No profiles selected" - Edit and pick profiles or a profile group; save.
• "Missing caption or required field" - Add the missing text in the content step; save.
• "Media required" - Upload acceptable images/videos and save.
• "Scheduled time mismatch" - Check the time zone and schedule, then save again.
• "Paused" - Toggle the automation to active and run a test.
• "Insufficient permissions" - Ask a workspace admin to grant run or edit access.

Next steps after a successful fix

1. Duplicate the automation to make safe edits and test changes without affecting the original.
2. Use Run once to check edits before scheduling.
3. Keep an eye on the Automations list for next-run and last-run status.
4. Keep a short run log in calendar notes or project notes so you have context for recurring troubleshooting.
5. Confirm the people who should get notifications or approvals actually received the requests (email or message channels).

Conclusion

Once you've applied these checks and fixes you should be able to run an automation, read the run status and logs, correct setup errors, and re-run successfully. Use Run once, duplicate for safe testing, and keep an eye on the Automations list to keep repeatable publishing reliable.