Google sheet trigger node automatically start without add or update row

Questions
1

Why google sheet trigger will be start the execution without add or update row.

Describe the problem/error/question

We are using the Google Sheets trigger node to start our workflow whenever a new row is added. However, sometimes the workflow executes automatically without any new row being added or updated, which frequently results in errors.
Please note that this sheet is not being used or modified elsewhere. Could you please help us understand why the Google Sheets trigger is initiating executions without any changes in the sheet?

Please share your workflow

Share the output returned by the last node

{
“errorMessage”: “Service unavailable - try again later or consider setting this node to retry automatically (in the node settings)”,
“errorDescription”: “The service is currently unavailable.”,
“errorDetails”: {},
“n8nDetails”: {
“time”: “10/02/2026, 18:41:41”,
“n8nVersion”: “1.119.1 (Self Hosted)”,
“binaryDataMode”: “default”
}
}Information on your n8n setup

  • n8n version: 1.119.1
  • Database (default: SQLite): MySQL
  • n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting (default: own, main): Own
  • Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app): docker
  • Operating system: Ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS
2

Hello @Mahendiran_N ,

This is a classic issue with the Google Sheets trigger when it’s set to Every Minute.

Because you are polling Google every single minute, you are likely hitting their API rate limits . When Google blocks the request (returning a 503 error), n8n logs a “Failed Execution.” It looks like the workflow ran for no reason, but it really just failed to check the sheet.

quick fix:

  1. Change the Poll Interval from Every Minute to Every 5 Minutes (or 10). This drastically reduces the “Service Unavailable” errors.
  2. In the Trigger node settings (the gear icon), toggle Retry on Fail to On. Set it to retry 3 times.

If my answer helped solve your question, would you mind marking it as the solution?

It’ll help others find it more easily—and I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks!