Common Errors in Salesforce and How to Fix Them Fast

Salesforce errors can be frustrating and costly. Let’s break down common mistakes and how to fix them to keep your workflows running without any issues!
Sumaira
March 3, 2025

Salesforce is the no. 1 CRM tool that helps businesses manage customer relationships and sales processes. However, like any software it can sometimes encounter errors that disrupt your workflow. In fact, a survey found that 88% of users stop using software due to issues like report and dashboard failures. So, it’s important to know about errors in Salesforce and how to fix them quickly. 

This guide will cover frequent issues such as login problems, data validation errors, permission issues, and more. You'll learn about the common Salesforce errors and their solutions. Get ready to keep your system running without disruptions!

What Are Salesforce Errors and Exceptions?

Salesforce errors and exceptions occur when something goes wrong in the system. This includes things like exceeding limits or encountering unexpected situations. These errors can be caused by incorrect configurations, coding issues or user actions. 

For example, a System.LimitException might appear when a user exceeds the allowed number of database updates. Understanding these errors and how to fix them will help you run Salesforce without interruption.

common salesforce errors faced by users

Common Salesforce Error Codes 

When working with Salesforce you need to understand the error codes you may encounter. Error codes usually appear when dealing with integrations, APIs or custom code. These error codes provide valuable insights into what went wrong and help you fix issues quickly. 

In this section, we'll go through some of the most common Salesforce error codes. Let's explain their meanings and solutions for how to resolve them.

Code Sample Response Description
400 { "errors": [ {"message":"Invalid Field: Name"} ] } The request contains invalid data or syntax. This could be due to an incorrect field name or malformed query.
403 { "errors": [ {"message":"Forbidden"} ] } The user does not have the necessary permissions to perform the action requested
404 { "errors": [ {"message":"Object Not Found"} ] } The object or resource you're trying to access does not exist or cannot be found
409 { "errors": [ {"message":"Conflict: Record Already Exists"} ] } The requested action cannot be completed due to a conflict, such as trying to create a record that already exists.
422 { "errors": [ {"message":"Unprocessable Entity"} ] } The request was well-formed but could not be processed due to invalid data, such as required fields missing.
500 { "errors": [ {"message":"Internal Server Error"} ] } This indicates a server-side error within Salesforce. The issue is typically internal, and Salesforce support might be needed to resolve it.
503 { "errors": [ {"message":"Service Unavailable"} ] } The Salesforce service is temporarily unavailable due to server maintenance or high traffic.
504 { "errors": [ {"message":"Gateway Timeout"} ] } The request to an external service has timed out, often indicating connectivity issues between Salesforce and the external system.

Let’s explore these error codes in detail, explain why they occur, and outline how you can fix them.

400 - Bad Request (Invalid Data or Syntax)

The 400 error code occurs when Salesforce detects that the request is malformed or contains invalid data. This could happen for a variety of reasons, such as sending incorrect field names in a SOQL query or including an invalid value in a request body.

How to Fix It:

To resolve a 400 error, review your request carefully. Then check that the field names in your SOQL query match the Salesforce schema and that any data being submitted adheres to the expected format. For example, if you're creating a new record, verify that all required fields are present and contain valid data.

403 - Forbidden (Permission Issues)

A 403 error code indicates that the user or API call does not have the necessary permissions to perform the requested action. This might happen if a user is attempting to access a restricted resource or make changes they are not authorized to.

How to Fix It:

To resolve this error, verify the user’s permissions and make sure they have the correct access rights. Check the profile settings for the user and verify that the API user has appropriate permissions for the action being attempted. You can also review sharing rules and object-level security settings.

404 - Not Found (Object or Resource Not Found)

The 404 error is returned when Salesforce cannot find the object or resource being requested. This could happen if the object is misspelled in the API call or if you're trying to access a non-existent record.

How to Fix It:

To fix a 404 error, double-check the object name or resource you're attempting to access. Check that the record or object you're trying to retrieve exists in Salesforce and that you're using the correct API endpoint. For instance, if you're querying a custom object, verify that the object’s API name is accurate.

409 - Conflict (Data Conflict Issues)

A 409 error indicates that there is a conflict preventing the requested action from being completed. For example, this error might be thrown if you're trying to insert a record that already exists or if there are duplicate records being created.

How to Fix It:

To fix a 409 error, check for data conflicts. This often happens with duplicate records. You can either update the existing record instead of creating a new one. On the other hand, you can handle duplicates by setting up matching rules or using upsert operations. In many cases, you can prevent these conflicts by correctly setting up data validation.

422 - Unprocessable Entity (Invalid Data)

The 422 error code occurs when the request is valid, but the data cannot be processed. This might happen if required fields are missing or contain invalid values.

How to Fix It:

To resolve a 422 error, review the data being sent in the request. Make sure all required fields are included and that the data adheres to the expected format. For example, if you're creating a record, check that all mandatory fields (like Account Name, Email, etc.) are populated. Also, make sure they contain the correct data type (e.g., text, number, date).

500 - Internal Server Error (Salesforce Service Issue)

A 500 error shows an internal issue within Salesforce, meaning the problem lies with the Salesforce servers and not with your request.

How to Fix It:

There’s typically little you can do to resolve a 500 error on your own, as it indicates an issue within Salesforce’s infrastructure. However, you should monitor the Salesforce status page for any ongoing issues or maintenance. If the error persists, you may need to contact Salesforce support for assistance.

503 - Service Unavailable (Temporary Service Issues)

A 503 error shows that the Salesforce service is temporarily unavailable due to server maintenance or high traffic.

How to Fix It:

The best course of action is to wait for a while and try again later. If the issue persists, check Salesforce’s status page to see if there’s scheduled maintenance or a system-wide outage. If the issue continues for an extended period, contact Salesforce support for further assistance.

504 - Gateway Timeout (External System Timeout)

A 504 error indicates that the request to an external service has timed out. This is common when your Salesforce instance is attempting to connect to an external system or API.

How to Fix It:

To resolve a 504 Salesforce error, confirm that the external service you're trying to access is online and reachable. You may need to check the network configuration or server logs of the external system. In some cases, retrying the request after a short wait can resolve temporary timeout issues.

Complex Salesforce Errors and Their Solutions

Now, let’s look into some common but complex Salesforce errors you might encounter. We have also shared the steps to fix them quickly.

Login Issues

Login issues are one of the most frequent problems Salesforce users face. There are many reasons why this can happen, such as entering the wrong password, being outside of IP ranges, or trying to log in outside of allowed hours. Here’s how to troubleshoot:

  • Check the User’s Password Policies: Navigate to Setup > Users > [Select User] > Login History. This will show login attempts and any failed attempts.

Check Login History: To view detailed login history, go to Setup > Users > Login History. Here you can check if the user was locked out or facing login time restrictions.

Login History Example
Field Description
Date Date and time of login
Status Successful or failed

  • Password Policies: Check that password policies are correctly set up. Go to Setup > Search for "Password Policies" to review settings and invalid login attempts.

System.LimitException: Too Many DML Statements

One of the most frequent exceptions in Salesforce is the System.LimitException: Too many DML statements. This error occurs when the code exceeds 150 DML (Data Manipulation Language) operations in a single transaction. The problem often arises when DML operations are placed inside a loop.

How to Fix the System.LimitException

To resolve this issue, you need to move DML operations outside the loop. Here’s an example of how you might refactor the code:

Sample Code Before Fix:

apex

CopyEdit

for (Account acc : accountList) {

    insert acc;  // DML inside loop

}

Sample Code After Fix:

apex

List<Account> accountsToInsert = new List<Account>();

for (Account acc : accountList) {

    accountsToInsert.add(acc);  // Collect records first

}

insert accountsToInsert;  // Perform DML operation once

This reduces the number of DML operations and your code doesn’t exceed Salesforce limits.

Timeout Errors (Apex CPU Time Limit Exceeded)

Another common error is the Apex CPU Time Limit Exceeded error. This occurs when the Apex code execution time exceeds the allowed time limit (currently set at 10,000 milliseconds or 10 seconds). When your code is complex and performs too many calculations, it might run into this issue.

Here’s how to fix this issue:

  • Optimize Your Queries: Avoid retrieving too many records at once. Use selective filters to retrieve only the necessary data.
  • Use Asynchronous Operations: If your logic involves heavy computation, use asynchronous methods like @future or Queueable Apex. Then perform operations in the background without hitting time limits.

Example of Using Queueable Apex:

apex

public class MyQueueableClass implements Queueable {

    public void execute(QueueableContext context) {

        // Your logic here

    }

}

By using these methods your code doesn’t exceed the CPU time limit and prevent timeouts.

Query Limit Exceeded (SOQL Query Limit Exception)

Another error that often arises is the SOQL Query Limit Exception. This error occurs when a query returns over 50,000 records in one transaction. This can happen when querying large data sets without proper filters.

Here are the ways to Fix SOQL Query Limit Exceeded:

  • Use Selective Queries: Make queries very specific by adding "WHERE" clauses to filter records.
  • Use Batch Processing: If you need to process large datasets, break the query into smaller chunks using batch processing. This way you don’t exceed the query limits.

Example of Batch Query:

Database.QueryLocator queryLocator = Database.getQueryLocator('SELECT Name FROM Account WHERE Industry = \'Technology\' LIMIT 10000');

By optimizing your queries and implementing batch processing, you can avoid exceeding the query limit.

Apex Class Compilation Errors

When developing custom code, developers may encounter Apex Class Compilation Errors. These errors occur when the code fails to compile due to incorrect syntax or references. Here’s how to fix it:

  • Check for Syntax Errors: Review the code for any missing semicolons, brackets, or incorrect logic.
  • Review Class References: Make sure the class is properly referenced and all required objects and fields are available.

Example
Problem Solution
Missing semicolon Add the semicolon at the end of the line.
Incorrect variable reference Correct the variable name to match the declaration.

How to Prevent Common Errors In Salesforce

While it’s impossible to completely remove Salesforce errors, best practices can reduce them:

  1. Regularly Monitor System Logs

Use the Salesforce Debug Logs to track potential issues and get insight into system behavior.

  1. Review and Update Permissions

Regularly review user profiles and permissions so everything is properly configured.

  1. Utilize Automation Tools

Tools like Salesforce Flow can help automate routine tasks and reduce human error.

  1. Train Users

Educate users about common Salesforce tasks and potential pitfalls to reduce the chances of errors.

Conclusion

Dealing with Salesforce errors can be frustrating, but understanding the most common issues and how to fix them will make your job easier. By following the steps above you can troubleshoot Salesforce errors and keep operations going. This way you’ll have minimal downtime and maximum productivity. So, stay proactive and use the best practices outlined in this guide to prevent common Salesforce errors before they arise.

However, if you're facing complex issues or need custom solutions then PixelConsulting is here to help. Our team of Salesforce experts can assist you in identifying, diagnosing and fixing any errors. 

Contact PixelConsulting today to let us handle your Salesforce challenges!

Read Also : Salesforce SELA

Author Insights:
Sumaira
Hey, I’m a Business Process Owner at PixelConsulting, leading Salesforce data quality teams and developing growth strategies to help clients thrive. I’m dedicated to simplifying Salesforce user adoption and sharing insights to make it easier for everyone. Let’s unlock your business’s potential together to achieve the perfect product-market fit.
March 3, 2025

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