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Power Automate - Using Flows
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Cloud Flow Only Triggers When Signed On

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I have a cloud flow that uses the trigger "When a new email arrives (V3)." when the parameters are met, Run a flow build with Power Automate for desktop, followed by Send an email (V2).
 
If I am signed on the cloud flow works perfectly. When an email arrives that meets the criteria in the trigger, it runs the desktop flow and when the desktop flow finishes, sends the email. 
 
The issue I am having is getting the cloud flow to trigger when I am NOT signed on. If an email arrives and I am not currently signed on, then it will not trigger until the next time I sign on, then it will trigger repeatedly for however many emails were received during that period.
 
From what I've gathered when researching the issue, I need to use a service account or a shared mailbox which, unfortunately, I do not have access to. Is there another way to achieve this same behavior? I just need this to be fully automated and run whether I am signed on or not, and without any manual intervention.
 
 
The cloud flow:
 
 
The connections: 
 
 
The flow doesn't actually fail, it just will not run at all until I sign on. so the run status is always successful:
 
 
 
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!
 
I have the same question (0)
  • Suggested answer
    David_MA Profile Picture
    12,536 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Cloud Flow Only Triggers When Signed On
    Based on what you’ve described, the behavior you’re experiencing is expected. You need to be connected in order to run a flow with Power Automate Desktop. You may want to consider a cloud flow instead. Cloud flows are designed to run entirely in the cloud, without needing access to a specific machine. This means they can trigger and execute based on events, such as receiving an email, without requiring you to be logged in.
     
    Note, a cloud flow is not a Power Automate Desktop flow. Cloud flows are created from https://make.powerautomate.com/
  • Suggested answer
    Sayan Profile Picture
    794 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Cloud Flow Only Triggers When Signed On
     
    You can try with the following approach - 
     

    Schedule a Cloud Flow to Check Emails Periodically

    Instead of using "When a new email arrives", create a scheduled cloud flow that checks emails every few minutes:

    1. Create a new Cloud Flow with the trigger:

      • "Recurrence" (Every 5-10 minutes).
      • Add "Get emails (V3)" action to fetch unread emails.
    2. Use a filter query to match specific email conditions.

     

     

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

    If my suggestion helps you, please gives it a Like and Marks as a Solution. Which motivates to solve more problems.

     Thanks,

    Sayan Patra

    RPA Developer

    LinkedIn : (3) Sayan Patra | LinkedIn

  • YA-18101859-0 Profile Picture
    12 on at
    Cloud Flow Only Triggers When Signed On
    These suggestions actually don't work, i have same issue but I only have a trigger email and send email no desktop everything using cloud flow and it doesn't trigger when I am automatically logged out. it says it is using 
    "connection": "shared_office365"
     
    which I thought was fine, but when I send out a email at the end it is using my em​​​​​​​ail not sure if that is why since I am owner and logged in.
     
  • Suggested answer
    David_MA Profile Picture
    12,536 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Cloud Flow Only Triggers When Signed On
    For your Run a flow built with Power Automate for desktop action, if you want the flow to run without needing to be logged in or connected to the computer, you need the Power Automate Process plan. You can learn more at Run unattended desktop flows - Power Automate | Microsoft Learn.
  • YA-18101859-0 Profile Picture
    12 on at
    Cloud Flow Only Triggers When Signed On
    That is the point I do NOT want to run for desktop, just cloud flow. We are all on office 365 just reading in emails and sending out accordingly.
     
    Thank you, I would appreciate any help, on either how to stay logged in or using something else.
     
     
  • Suggested answer
    David_MA Profile Picture
    12,536 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Cloud Flow Only Triggers When Signed On
    If you do not want to run desktop flows, delete the action "Run a flow built with Power Automate for desktop" from your flow. Problem solved.
  • YA-18101859-0 Profile Picture
    12 on at
    Cloud Flow Only Triggers When Signed On
    I actually don't have that in my flow that is why I added the pdf so you can see what I do have.  I am posting to this initial post, I am not the same user as the one that posted the question my flow just has email and send email but it logs me out after a certain amount of time and will not run.  
  • David_MA Profile Picture
    12,536 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Cloud Flow Only Triggers When Signed On
     you should really create your own post rather than asking a question that is not directly related to the original post. It causes confusion as you've seen. I am not sure what your issue is based on the screen shot you posted. I would therefore suggest creating a new post specific to the problem you are having, which will then allow you to mark one of the replies as the answer to it. If your flow is just when new mail arrives and send an e-mail, you don't need to be logged in for the flow to trigger. Here is more information on the trigger you are using: Trigger a cloud flow based on email properties in Power Automate - Power Automate | Microsoft Learn

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