Why do my Power Automate flows fail due to throttling?

Short Answer

Flows fail because SharePoint and Power Automate enforce throttling to protect performance and stability.

Why Throttling Happens

• SharePoint limits large batch operations to prevent server overload.
• API call limits in Power Automate restrict rapid or repeated actions.
• Excessive concurrent workflows increase risk of throttling.

Common Symptoms

• Flow failures with error: "Request was throttled."
• Delayed approvals or notifications
• Partial or skipped updates on large lists

Best Practices

1. Break large lists into smaller chunks.
2. Use delay or concurrency control in flows.
3. Index columns used for filters to improve query efficiency.
4. Consider hybrid architectures for large data operations.
5. Monitor flow run history to detect patterns of throttling.

Final Answer

Power Automate is reliable when flows are designed with SharePoint limits in mind. Avoid throttling by batching operations, controlling concurrency, and following architecture best practices.

“Understanding SharePoint limits prevents Power Automate from failing silently at scale.”