Connecting 2 workflows Not Working, but both workflows work independently

[AustyneDigitalsAI]

Describe the problem/error/question

No place to input the required parameter on the parent workflow( call workflow node) that the child workflow ( execute workflow ) trigger needs for it to run

What is the error message (if any)? “No parameters are set up to be filled by AI. Click on the button next to a parameter to allow AI to set its value ( meanwhile, no place to create the required parameter that the child workflow ( execute workflow trigger ) needs for the child workflow to run).

also: response: There was an error: “(child) Workflow is not active and cannot be executed.”

Please share your workflow

(Select the nodes on your canvas and use the keyboard shortcuts CMD+C/CTRL+C and CMD+V/CTRL+V to copy and paste the workflow.)

{
  "nodes": [
    {
      "parameters": {
        "description": "Call this tool to take any action in email",
        "workflowId": {
          "__rl": true,
          "value": "l0ysvAQSkBwXjGTd",
          "mode": "list",
          "cachedResultUrl": "/workflow/l0ysvAQSkBwXjGTd",
          "cachedResultName": "Email Agent Demo"
        },
        "workflowInputs": {
          "mappingMode": "defineBelow",
          "value": {},
          "matchingColumns": [],
          "schema": [],
          "attemptToConvertTypes": false,
          "convertFieldsToString": false
        }
      },
      "type": "@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolWorkflow",
      "typeVersion": 2.2,
      "position": [
        352,
        160
      ],
      "id": "a5b82595-e01a-41d2-87fa-78a170cb8010",
      "name": "Call 'Email Agent Demo'"
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Call 'Email Agent Demo'": {
      "ai_tool": [
        []
      ]
    }
  },
  "pinData": {},
  "meta": {
    "templateCredsSetupCompleted": true,
    "instanceId": "7612b37b1e5e96d5c2dce974a837bd14bbf2c004a06bc3779713b21b35e33568"
  }
}





{
  "nodes": [
    {
      "parameters": {
        "options": {}
      },
      "type": "@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.chatTrigger",
      "typeVersion": 1.4,
      "position": [
        16,
        -16
      ],
      "id": "616534af-1fae-4e98-b8b8-bb6e092e0a22",
      "name": "When chat message received",
      "webhookId": "ca3b2b64-5b08-4e4c-b357-24fd84680103"
    },
    {
      "parameters": {
        "options": {}
      },
      "type": "@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.agent",
      "typeVersion": 3.1,
      "position": [
        192,
        -48
      ],
      "id": "763a2985-2f58-427e-a2c6-22c717e7cc07",
      "name": "AI Agent"
    },
    {
      "parameters": {
        "model": {
          "__rl": true,
          "mode": "list",
          "value": "gpt-5-mini"
        },
        "builtInTools": {},
        "options": {}
      },
      "type": "@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.lmChatOpenAi",
      "typeVersion": 1.3,
      "position": [
        96,
        176
      ],
      "id": "43648cb5-b190-4d04-a5de-61695d585623",
      "name": "OpenAI Chat Model",
      "credentials": {
        "openAiApi": {
          "id": "OaT76XQ9FoI0ukxk",
          "name": "OpenAi account"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "parameters": {
        "description": "Call this tool to take any action in email",
        "workflowId": {
          "__rl": true,
          "value": "l0ysvAQSkBwXjGTd",
          "mode": "list",
          "cachedResultUrl": "/workflow/l0ysvAQSkBwXjGTd",
          "cachedResultName": "Email Agent Demo"
        },
        "workflowInputs": {
          "mappingMode": "defineBelow",
          "value": {},
          "matchingColumns": [],
          "schema": [],
          "attemptToConvertTypes": false,
          "convertFieldsToString": false
        }
      },
      "type": "@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolWorkflow",
      "typeVersion": 2.2,
      "position": [
        352,
        160
      ],
      "id": "a5b82595-e01a-41d2-87fa-78a170cb8010",
      "name": "Call 'Email Agent Demo'"
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "When chat message received": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "AI Agent",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "OpenAI Chat Model": {
      "ai_languageModel": [
        [
          {
            "node": "AI Agent",
            "type": "ai_languageModel",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Call 'Email Agent Demo'": {
      "ai_tool": [
        [
          {
            "node": "AI Agent",
            "type": "ai_tool",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    }
  },
  "pinData": {},
  "meta": {
    "templateCredsSetupCompleted": true,
    "instanceId": "7612b37b1e5e96d5c2dce974a837bd14bbf2c004a06bc3779713b21b35e33568"
  }
}

Share the output returned by the last node

output
Sorry — I couldn’t send the message. The email workflow returned an error: “Workflow is not active and cannot be executed.”\n\nYou can copy & send this, or tell me if you want me to try again (and provide any sender name or changes):\n\nTo: [email protected]\nSubject: Quick question — is the team meal ready?\n\nHi Candice,\n\nQuick question: is the team meal ready yet? If so, do you have an ETA for when it will be served or ready for pickup? If you need any help with anything, I’m available.\n\nThanks,\n[Your name]\n\nWould you like me to retry sending it or edit the message?

Information on your n8n setup

• n8n version: 2.12.3
• Database (default: SQLite):
• n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting (default: own, main):
• Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app): hostinger vps
• Operating system: macos ventura 13.5

[houda_ben]

Hi @AustyneDigitalsAI

Two things to fix:

1. Your child workflow (“Email Agent Demo”) needs to be toggled active (top right switch in the editor).

2. Open the child workflow’s Execute Workflow Trigger node and change Input data mode from “Accept all data” to “Define using fields below”. Add the fields your workflow needs (e.g. chatInput as string), save and activate. Then back in the parent, refresh on the tool node and click the AI sparkle button next to each field.

Docs: Sub-workflows | Call n8n Workflow Tool

Let me know if this works

[AustyneDigitalsAI]

Hi Houda_ben thanks so much for replying - i dont seem to have that turn active and inactive toggle in my n8n - maybe because im self hosted by hostinger. but the image is what i can see in that option you said - pls see attched image for the execute workflow trigger node of the child workflow.

[houda_ben]

@AustyneDigitalsAI my bad, activate and deactivate are now publish and unpublish.

So on the workflow editor in the top right corner you’ll see the Publish button.

[AustyneDigitalsAI]

this is the return error code i get in the call workflow node and the ai agent before it . it’s been giving me real head ache. and also it has another error feedback that says “…the email workflow failed with an error (“Workflow is not active and cannot be executed”). my n8n doesnt seem to have a toogle active settings on my nodes is that because im not hosted by n8n but hostinger? Pls Help i really wish to fix this and move on ahead - a lot depends on it pls

[houda_ben]

@AustyneDigitalsAI , just publish the child workflow and then execute your parent workflow, it will fix your issue.

[Benjamin_Behrens]

if the publish button still doesn’t show up at all, there might be a permission issue or the workflow is in a weird state. try this: go to Settings (from the top menu), scroll down to Advanced, and check if there’s any warning about workflow validity. if that’s blank, try duplicating the entire workflow and see if the copy lets you publish — sounds weird but sometimes that unsticks things. lemme know if either of those work