Slack error: channel_not_found

Written by Owner

Updated at August 20th, 2025

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Table of Contents

Symptoms Causes How to fix Direct messages Channel messages Still need help?

Symptoms

When using Slack actions to send direct messages or channel messages, you get the error message “channel_not_found”. You’ll see this error in the details of a Zap run.

Causes

This happens when:

The connected Slack account is not a member of the Slack channel you’re sending a message to.
The connected Slack account does not have access to the Slack workspace you’re sending a message to. If you have multiple app connections, you may have selected the wrong one.
You set the user or channel as a custom value and it’s not in the correct format Slack expects.
The channel you’re sending a message to has been renamed.

How to fix

To fix this:

Direct messages Channel messages

Direct messages

Check the selected Slack connection account in your Zap gives you access to the correct Slack workspace.
If you are using a custom value in your Zap, ensure you're using the member ID and not the username. A member ID typically looks like this: U47FNLGQ4.

Tip

To find a user’s member ID in Slack:

Select the user’s Slack profile.
Click the three dot icon.
Click Copy member ID.

Channel messages

Check the selected Slack connection account in your Zap gives access to the correct Slack workspace.
Check in Slack that you are a member of the channel you are attempting to message.
In your Zap, either:
- Re-select the channel from the dropdown menu.
- If you're using a custom value, ensure you're using the channel ID and not the channel name. A channel ID typically looks like this: C1F5RKJPR.

Tip

To find a channel ID in Slack:

Right-click on the desired channel name
Select View channel details.
A dialog box will open, displaying the Channel ID at the bottom.

Still need help?

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