Power automate desktop error "Error during flow initialization"

[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone,

Just today I faced this issue, my other tasks in PAD is opening as usual. But, when I try to open one of the tasks by clicking "Edit" it gives me this error. Its a relatively big task with 15-20 Subflows.

Screenshot attached.

Any idea? 

Any help will be highly appreciated!

Thanks.

[lmtavares]

I'm getting the same error on a freshly installed PAD when attempting to create the initial task.  I've reinstalled twice. I run PAD as administrator.  Completely stuck!

[Anonymous]

Hi @lmtavares  do you see Preview version of PAD when you open it?

Thanks.

[lmtavares]

Yes, I see Power Automate Desktop (Preview) in the app window title bar.

[Anonymous]

I also see the Preview version and it has so many bugs. I think PAD installation package has some issues.

Thanks for raising this, I thought only I am seeing Preview.

[lmtavares]

Indeed! Based on other web searches, I thought the Preview version has been superseded by a fully licensed free version for all Windows 10 users.  That may have been the intention but maybe there was build error.

[Axell]

I'm getting the same error on my Win 10 new installation. This bug appears randomly.

[lmtavares]

It has been weeks since I posted this problem. I've searched all Microsoft sites and the web generally looking for references to this error and seeking a solution.  I've uninstalled and reinstalled this "Preview" version of PAD a half dozen times, deleting all of the disk folders that I could find.  Regardless, each time PAD installs I get the same error.  I cannot create a flow.  This is very discouraging.

[fraenK]

Are you using the latest version 2.6.48.21069? Does your firewall allow outgoing internet traffic for PAD?

[lmtavares]

I'll have to reinstall to check the version; I downloaded from the Microsoft PAD site within the last hour.  I carefully checked by security firewall for any blocked outgoing or incoming ports or site blocks and found none. But I also installed PAD without only Windows Firewall operating and the Error during flow initialization message was generated. I also checked the Windows Event viewer for anything obvious related to PAD but found nothing.

Is this because it is the Preview version?  Is there a licensing procedure for this free release?

Thanks.

[fraenK]

What type of account are you using? Personal, school/work, trial/paid?

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/desktop-flows/getting-started-msa

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/desktop-flows/getting-started-freeorg

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/desktop-flows/getting-started-org

[lmtavares]

fraenK:

Your reply put me on the right track.  I was using my personal Microsoft account so I clicked the link that you provided for getting-started-msa.  As soon as starting reading it I realized the problem.  I don't use OneDrive; I was not signed it.  The "Error during flow initialization problem" was being caused because OneDrive was not accessible to PAD.  As soon as I signed it the error stopped

That error message is of course way too obscure.  Since OneDrive is a requirement the InstallShield script should check that it available and provide the user a warning rather completing the installation and failing to initialize the first flow.  Or at least provide and informative message on the installation confirmation page.  The OneDrive requirement and initialization error isn't mentioned in the Known Issues and Limitations for PAD.

Also, I'm brand new to PAD but very familiar with Windows applications.  It never occurred to me that I wouldn't be able to specify the location for storing PAD data or automation scripts, or that a cloud drive would be requirement rather than an option for running a Windows application.

In any event, I am past the error and can now explore Power Automate Desktop.  Thanks for your help.

[kelway]

I upgraded my PAD to the latest 2.9.29.21133 and now I have this error when opening one of my flows for editing. I'm fully stuck. I recall seeing some error message (can't recall where) about a missing image search algorithm (and property they added to a more recent version of PAD) when I tried to open this flow on another machine with a lower version of PAD.. that's the only clue I have. Is there some way to get the "code" of the flow in order to paste into a new one and troubleshoot the offending item? At this point, I've lost many days of work. Many thanks for any help!

[RenAmt]

Same issue, getting the following error post update

[kelway]

It probably means you had some error in your flow before and then saved it and are now trying to open it with the new version.  I think you must install the previous version again, resolve any red error messages, save, and then upgrade again. Microsoft Support an provide you with previous versions if you don't already have somewhere. good luck

[stevec63]

I am getting the same issue now and it is 30 th December 2022.

Still a problem??? Really Microsoft ??

Error Details:

Correlation Id: f1e1e0a8-4136-4646-bf50-8fa0d079cbd9

Is there a fix ??