> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.harness.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.harness.io/release-orchestration/troubleshooting-and-resources/release-orchestration-troubleshooting/stuck-releases.md).

# Stuck Releases

Learn how to identify and resolve stuck releases in Release Orchestration.

Stuck releases are releases that are not progressing. This topic helps identify and resolve them.

## Identifying stuck releases

Watch for the following signs that a release is stuck.

**Signs of a stuck release**

* **No progress**: no progress for an extended period.
* **Pending status**: stuck.
* **Waiting**: waiting for dependencies.
* **Blocked**: blocked by approvals.

## Common causes

The following issues most often cause a release to get stuck.

<details>

<summary>Dependency issues</summary>

Dependencies are not met:

* **Failed dependencies**: dependencies failed.
* **Blocked activities**: an activity is waiting on a prior activity to complete.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Approval issues</summary>

Approvals are blocking the release:

* **Pending approvals**: approvals are pending.
* **Missing approvers**: approvers are not assigned.

</details>

## Resolution

Resolve the underlying dependency or approval issue so the release can proceed.

**Dependency resolution**

* **Check status**: check dependency status.
* **Fix and continue**: fix the underlying issue (e.g., a pipeline error) and resume execution.
* **Retry or ignore**: retry a failed activity or ignore it and continue (based on your process requirements).

**Approval resolution**

* **Check approvals**: check approval status.
* **Assign approvers**: assign approvers.
* **Complete sign-off**: complete the manual activity by recording inputs or sign off so the release can proceed.

## Related topics

* [Common issues](/release-orchestration/troubleshooting-and-resources/release-orchestration-troubleshooting/common-issues.md)
* [Execution failures](/release-orchestration/troubleshooting-and-resources/release-orchestration-troubleshooting/execution-failures.md)
* [Variable mapping errors](/release-orchestration/troubleshooting-and-resources/release-orchestration-troubleshooting/variable-mapping-errors.md)

{% @harness-feedback/feedback %}