Approval Process Email Notifications Not Received by Some Users

Approval process email notification failures in Salesforce can have two root causes: inactive users in the approval step, or the approver's notification preference being set to Never. Follow the steps below for each applicable cause.

Cause 1: Inactive Users in Approval Step 1

If inactive users are included in Approval Step 1 of an Approval Process, active users in that step do not receive email notifications. Remove the inactive users to restore notifications for active approvers.

In Salesforce Classic

1. Navigate to Setup | Create | Workflow & Approvals | Approval Processes.
2. Select the object under Manage Approval Processes For.
3. Click the Approval Process name.
4. Under Approval Steps, click Edit on the step identified as Step Number 1.
5. Click Next until you reach Step 3.
6. Remove the inactive users from the approver list.
7. Click Save.

In Lightning Experience

1. Navigate to gear icon | Setup | Process Automation | Approval Processes.
2. Select the object under Manage Approval Processes For.
3. Click the Approval Process name.
4. Under Approval Steps, click Edit on the step identified as Step Number 1.
5. Click Next until you reach Step 3.
6. Remove the inactive users from the approver list.
7. Click Save.

Cause 2: 'Receive Approval Request Emails' Set to Never

If an individual user is not receiving notifications, their Receive Approval Request Emails field may be set to Never. Follow the steps below to check and update this setting.

In Salesforce Classic

1. Navigate to Setup | Manage Users | Users.
2. Click Edit beside the affected user's name.
3. Ensure the Receive Approval Request Emails field is not set to Never.
4. Click Save.

In Lightning Experience

1. Navigate to gear icon | Setup | Users | Users.
2. Click Edit beside the affected user's name.
3. Ensure the Receive Approval Request Emails field is not set to Never.
4. Click Save.