Integrating Telegram with n8n is one of the easiest ways to build real-time bots, alert systems, or chat agents. But if you’ve come across the frustrating “n8n Telegram chat not found” error while setting up your Telegram Trigger or Telegram Node, you’re not alone. This error often stops your workflow from functioning correctly — especially when you're trying to trigger a conversation or send messages using bots.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact reasons why this error happens and how to resolve it step by step. Whether you're building a chatbot or integrating Telegram in an IoT setup, this article will help fix the issue and get your automation running smoothly.
Understanding the “n8n Telegram Chat Not Found” Error
This error typically appears when n8n cannot identify the chat ID or the target it’s supposed to interact with inside Telegram. The problem could stem from various factors like misconfigured chat IDs, uninitiated conversations with your bot, or missing permissions.
Let’s take a closer look at what causes it.
Common Causes
- The chat ID provided is incorrect or does not exist
- The user or group hasn’t interacted with the bot yet
- The bot doesn’t have permission to write messages to that chat
- You’re using the wrong format (e.g., username instead of chat ID)
- Typo in the Telegram node configuration in your workflow
Step-by-Step Fix: How to Resolve the Telegram Chat Not Found Error in n8n
Let’s get your Telegram integration working again. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix the issue.
Step 1: Get the Correct Chat ID
The number one reason for this error is using the wrong chat ID. Here's how to find the chat ID depending on who or what you're trying to reach:
- For individual users: Ask the user to send a message to your bot. Then use
https://api.telegram.org/bot<YourBotToken>/getUpdatesto retrieve the chat ID from the JSON response. - For group chats: Add the bot to the group and send a message. Then make the same API call to retrieve the chat ID.
- For channels: Your bot must be added as an admin to the channel. The channel ID will start with
-100.
Tip: Always use numeric chat IDs, not
@usernames. Telegram APIs are strict about this.
Step 2: Verify That the Bot Has Access
Before your bot can receive or send messages:
- The user must start the bot by messaging it.
- For groups and channels, the bot must be added and given admin permissions if necessary.
- This is particularly important if you're trying to trigger workflows using Telegram triggers.
Step 3: Use Telegram Node Test Feature in n8n
n8n allows you to test Telegram nodes directly in your workflow. Use this approach to validate whether messages can be sent:
- Add a Telegram node (e.g., "Send Message") in your workflow.
- Insert the chat ID you retrieved.
- Use a short test message (like “Hello from n8n!”).
- Click “Execute Node”.
If it executes successfully, move on to adding logic and connecting it with other parts of your workflow.
Still seeing the error? Continue to the next step.
Step 4: Check Bot Privacy Settings (For Group Chats)
By default, Telegram bots have privacy mode turned ON. This may prevent the bot from reading messages in groups, which can disable triggers or responses.
To disable bot privacy mode:
- Open @BotFather in Telegram.
- Type
/setprivacyand choose your bot. - Choose “Disable” to turn off privacy settings.
This enables your bot to access messages in groups.
Additional Tips for Telegram Integration in n8n
Once you’re past the “n8n Telegram chat not found” error, you'll want to ensure your integration is future-proof. Below are a few actionable tips:
Use Environment Variables
Store your Telegram Bot Token in .env files or environment variables for better security and portability.
Leverage Webhook Triggers
Instead of polling using getUpdates, use Telegram’s webhook-based trigger in n8n. It’s more efficient and scales better.
You can learn the full process of working with webhook and chat triggers in the n8n trigger guide.
Error Handling
To avoid silent failures in workflows using Telegram, integrate error handling using the built-in Error Trigger or custom logic. For example, if a chat ID is invalid, send a message to Slack or email for investigation.
Explore mastering error handling in n8n for a complete strategy.
Example Workflow Use Case
Automated Alert System via Telegram
Use Case: Send alerts from your application to Telegram when a specific event occurs (e.g., server downtime).
- Trigger: Webhook or API call
- Action: Format message with relevant details
- Telegram Node: Send message to a staff Telegram group chat
Ensure:
- Bot is added to the group
- Chat ID is fetched from the API
- Privacy mode is off
- Message formats are JSON-safe
This is ideal for devops, monitoring alerts, or helpdesk workflows.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Here’s a quick table outlining common mistakes and how to fix them:
| Mistake | How to Fix |
|---|---|
| Using @username instead of ID | Always use numeric chat ID, not usernames |
| Bot not started by user | Ask the user to start the bot with "/start" |
| Bot not in group or channel | Add bot to the group/channel and give appropriate rights |
| Privacy settings blocking access | Disable privacy via @BotFather |
| Chat ID outdated or invalid | Use getUpdates API to fetch the current chat ID from recent messages |
FAQ
What does “Chat not found” mean in the context of n8n and Telegram?
It means n8n is unable to send or receive a message in the specified chat because the chat ID you provided is invalid, or the bot lacks access.
How do I find the correct Telegram chat ID?
The simplest way is to send a message to your bot (or group/channel with the bot). Then use the Telegram API URL:https://api.telegram.org/bot<Your_Token>/getUpdates
This returns the chat ID in the JSON response.
Can I use usernames instead of chat IDs in n8n Telegram nodes?
No, Telegram APIs and n8n nodes require numeric chat IDs, not usernames/handles like @username.
My bot is in the group, but I still get the error. Why?
You might have bot privacy mode enabled. Disable it via @BotFather by setting privacy to “Disabled” so your bot can read messages in groups.
Do I need to restart n8n after fixing the Telegram bot or chat settings?
No, typically you don’t need to restart. Just re-execute the failing node or workflow. But if using webhook triggers, republishing might help.
Telegram automation with n8n is powerful once you’ve resolved these connection hiccups. If you’re just starting out with n8n, explore the free self-hosted setup using this n8n automation platform to gain full control over your workflows.
For deeper control, consider customizing nodes using n8n community packages or migrate complex scenarios from older platforms by learning how n8n compares to Integromat.