---
sourceDocument: Brazil Conversational Interfaces
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/conversational-interfaces

 Release :

    - brazil

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Brazil Conversational Interfaces

ft:clusterId :

    - convint

bundleId :

    - convint

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Debug a Virtual Agent topic

# Debug a Virtual Agent topic {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Brazil  
Updated September 10, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read  
Investigate and resolve unexpected behavior in your custom Virtual Agent
topics, topic blocks, and controls.
For information about topic discovery, see [LLM topic discovery in Virtual Agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ERF8244IczXwj0ZHuuHxbQ "Large language models (LLMs) enable Virtual Agent to process user statements in plain language. Conversations that use LLMs can outperform those conversations that use Natural Language Understanding (NLU), with easier setup.").

## Duplicate a live topic before debugging and changing it {#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__section_bbn_d12_d2b}

Duplicate a topic rather than update a live topic. The unmodified original topic can serve as both a reference and a backup, and retaining the original enables you to restore the topic quickly. Remember to deactivate the
original topic before publishing the duplicate.

## Debug a topic while testing your conversations {#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__section_ehd_j5d_12b}

As you create or update a topic in the Asset library, use the Test button in the topic header bar to preview the conversation. The chat test window shows the conversation as it appears within Service Portal. Elements in your conversation might appear differently in third-party messaging applications. Test your conversations in any third-party applications where you intend to deploy Virtual Agent.

The test chat window displays six tabs that provide detailed information for debugging and refining your topic: Analysis, Modify instructions, Variables,
Edit variables, Context, and Logs. For details about these tabs, see [Test details](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2g52C~S4I8PMB2uSBPIJ3w "The chat test window displays adjoining tabs that provide details about your topic as you test it."). The following example shows the processing messages and errors logged during testing.

## Watch for warnings on controls within your topic {#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__section_plt_gbx_c2b}

Figure 1. Warnings on a topic node in the Flow tab

Controls that are missing necessary information show a red incomplete badge in the upper left corner of the control. The badge shows a number indicating the number of issues in that control. Select this badge to see a list of
the issues in the control.

Another warning badge appears in the upper left corner of the canvas to indicate the number of issues within the entire topic.

## Check for errors when a topic preview does not run {#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__section_pzf_vkd_12b}

Figure 2. Topic preview errors on the canvas

Additional information appears in a Validation Issues tab on the sidebar of the Assistant Designer canvas when an error prevents the topic from running. The total number of Issues are listed, along with details and a hyperlink for each node. Select a hyperlink to go to the node, and use
the information provided to correct any errors in your conversation. You can close the tab without correcting the issues, but until the issues are corrected, the Validation Issues tab appears when you select
Publish. The Validation Issues tab closes if you select Publish after correcting all issues.

## Common Virtual Agent
issues {#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__section_trx_w3z_12b}

{#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__table_j3r_2jz_12b__entry__2}

| Issue | Possible resolution |
|-|-|
| Can't see module designer under conversational interfaces | * User might not have the virtual_agent_admin role. * Virtual Agent plugin might not be activated. {#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__ul_tfv_mwf_d2b} |
| Can't edit a topic | Logged-in user must be in the same application scope as the topic. |
| Can't preview topic | * Make sure that all required fields are filled in on the node properties. * Verify that your browser is configured to permit pop-ups from your instance. {#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__ul_d1l_wvf_d2b} |
| Chat widget stuck at Connecting... | One or more of your topics might be missing. Verify that topics are present on the instance and in the Active state. |
[ ]

{#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__table_j3r_2jz_12b}

## Review topics that run in a conversation flow {#virtual-agent-troubleshooting-guide__section_dc2_vgl_xhb}

Each Virtual Agent (VA) conversation in an instance automatically generates an interaction record in the Interactions \[interactions\] table. The record logs the conversation between a requester and virtual and live
agent. You can review the transcript of the conversation between the requester and virtual agent, including live agent transfers (if using Agent Chat). For details, see [Virtual Agent interaction records](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9dZz4l4vp6AYKZ91bbsTdQ "Each time a Virtual Agent conversation occurs, an interaction record captures the entire conversation in the Interactions [interaction] table. The record includes all topic elements used in the conversation, as well as live agent transfers.").