"ExpiredDesktopFlowConnection" error when using or testing a desktop flow connection

This article provides a resolution for the ExpiredDesktopFlowConnection error that might occur when you use or test a desktop flow connection in Microsoft Power Automate.

Symptoms

You receive the following error message when using or testing a desktop flow connection:

  {
      "error":{
          "code": "ExpiredDesktopFlowConnection",
          "message": "The connection is no longer valid and needs to be updated. [...]"
      }
  }

Cause

The contents of the connection are encrypted using its target group or machine certificate. If the certificate is renewed and the connection isn't used during this period, the connection will expire because the certificate required for decryption is outdated due to the renewal. A connection in this state can't be automatically recovered and must be manually updated.

The certificate renewal process might also be hampered by running outdated versions of Power Automate for desktop.

Resolution

To resolve the issue:

1. Make sure your machines are running up-to-date versions of Power Automate for desktop. For more information on the latest versions, see Released versions for Power Automate for desktop.

2. Edit the expired connection by following these steps:

   1. Sign in to Power Automate.
   2. In the left navigation pane, select Data > Connections.
   3. Find the expired connection, select it, and then select Edit to reenter the necessary information.

More information

Machine group certificate renewal for admins