Why Do n8n Test Mode and Chat Trigger Workflows Only Update After a Refresh?

Below are some troubleshooting suggestions based on common issues with Telegram and Chat Trigger nodes in self-hosted setups:

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1. Reverse Proxy and WebSocket Configuration

Many of the symptoms you describe—tests not updating in real time, needing to refresh the page to see execution results, and issues with stopping tests—can occur when n8n is run behind a reverse proxy that isn’t configured for WebSocket support. Since WebSockets are used to push real‑time updates to the UI:

• Check your reverse proxy settings (Cloudflare Tunnel in your case) to ensure that WebSocket connections are correctly proxied.
• Verify that any TLS/SSL termination is properly handled and that your WEBHOOK_URL environment variable is set to the full HTTPS address.

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2. Telegram Trigger Specifics

For Telegram Trigger workflows, keep in mind two points:

• Webhook URL Requirement: Telegram requires that the webhook URL uses HTTPS. Ensure that you’re not only providing an HTTP address.
• Webhook Overwriting Issue: If you have both a testing and a production workflow active, Telegram will only call one endpoint as it allows a single webhook per bot. For testing, consider disabling the production workflow or using a separate Telegram bot for testing purposes.

These factors can explain why you receive the Telegram message (execution is happening) but the UI only updates after a page refresh.

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3. Test Mode and “Stop” Button Behavior

• When you launch a test and nothing appears until a refresh, it’s likely the live connection (via WebSockets) isn’t closing or updating as expected. Exiting the workflow and reopening it can help reset the canvas.
• The UI getting stuck when clicking “Stop” might also be related to hanging WebSocket connections that don’t get terminated properly. This is a known symptom when running n8n without proper reverse proxy WebSocket support.

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4. Chat Trigger Workflows Not Executing

Since chat triggers rely on the same underlying Webhook mechanism, issues with the reverse proxy or an incomplete WebSocket setup can prevent these workflows from triggering entirely. In the absence of logs or errors, it’s a strong hint that the webhook event isn’t being relayed correctly to n8n.

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Next Steps

1. Review Your Reverse Proxy Setup:
   Make sure your Cloudflare Tunnel configuration supports WebSockets. Consult the documentation for your reverse proxy (or Cloudflare Tunnel settings) for details on enabling WebSocket proxying.

2. Verify Environment Variables:
   Ensure the WEBHOOK_URL is correctly set to an HTTPS address so that both Telegram and any chat integrations have a valid endpoint.

3. Separate Testing from Production:
   To avoid conflicts (especially for Telegram, which allows a single webhook URL per bot), consider disabling your production workflow or creating a separate bot for testing chatbot triggers.

4. Reset the Workflow Canvas:
   When tests don’t show up immediately or the Stop button hangs the UI, try exiting and reopening your workflow. This can help clear any lingering connections.

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By focusing on these configuration areas, most of the issues you’re experiencing with test mode, Telegram trigger visibility, and chat trigger workflows tend to be resolved. Let us know if you need further guidance on any specific step!