---
sourceDocument: Zurich Conversational Interfaces
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/conversational-interfaces
Release :
- zurich
ft:locale :
- en-US
ft:publication_title :
- Zurich Conversational Interfaces
ft:clusterId :
- convint
bundleId :
- convint
workflow :
- Platform
---
# Closing Virtual Agent and Agent Chat conversations
# Closing Virtual Agent and Agent Chat conversations {#ariaid-title1}
* Release version: Zurich
*
* Updated July 31, 2025
*
*  3 minutes to read
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## Summary of Closing Virtual Agent and Agent Chat conversations
Virtual Agent and Agent Chat conversations that are abandoned by requesters remain open until they are automatically closed by the scheduled job calledTime Out Abandoned VA Conversations.
This job runs hourly and closes conversations that have been idle longer than the configured timeout period, which by default is two hours (7200 seconds).
This process applies to all supported chat and messaging channels, including Microsoft Teams, Slack, Workplace from Facebook, and SMS.
Show full answer Show less
## Adjusting Conversation Timeout Periods
Admins can customize how long abandoned conversations remain open by configuring system properties and channel settings:
* **System-wide timeout:** Set the `com.glide.cs.conversationidletimeout` system property (integer value in seconds) to define the idle timeout for all conversations. The value must be less than 7200 seconds because the cleanup job runs every hour.
* **Channel-specific timeout:** Override the system-wide timeout by specifying a different timeout value per channel in the **Messaging Channels** table via the `Conversation Idle Timeout` field. This allows finer control over idle periods for conversations on different platforms.
## Managing the Scheduled Job
The **Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations** scheduled job can be modified to run at different times or intervals:
* Navigate to **All \> System Definition \> Scheduled Jobs** and open the job record.
* Adjust the scheduled run time or change the frequency using the **Run** field and specifying repeat intervals.
* Save changes to control when conversation timeouts are enforced.
## Additional Notes
* Natural Language Understanding (NLU) or keyword-based conversation closing can be triggered by phrases like "Bye" or "Exit." If closing does not occur as expected, ensure the NLU model is published and assigned properly.
* Large Language Model (LLM) chat closing works similarly by recognizing exit phrases to close conversations.
This functionality helps ServiceNow customers maintain clean, manageable chat environments by ensuring abandoned conversations do not remain open indefinitely, improving resource utilization and user experience.
Virtual Agent and Agent Chat conversations that are
abandoned by requesters remain open until they are automatically closed by the scheduled job,
Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations. This job runs hourly each
day.
The default timeout period for abandoned Virtual Agent and live agent
conversations is two hours (7200 seconds). The Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations job runs hourly to find and close any conversations that have been open
longer than the default (or configured) timeout period.
As admins, you can change the default timeout period for closing Virtual Agent
and live agent conversations by [adding the system property](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_AddAPropertyUsingSysPropsList&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US)
com.glide.cs.conversation_idle_timeout. The timeout value that you specify
in this property applies to all conversations in supported Virtual Agent and live
agent channels, including chat channels (such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Workplace from Facebook) and messaging channels (such as
SMS). For details, see [Change the timeout period for Virtual Agent and live agent conversations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/42qus9g6tDLLfbdtAGApDg#va-open-conversations__section_sjj_wy2_cmb).
If you're using Virtual Agent and Agent Chat on multiple chat
channels, you can add a channel-level idle timeout value that overrides the timeout value set in
the com.glide.cs.conversation_idle_timeout property for chat channels. For
details, see [Override the
conversation timeout period by channel](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/42qus9g6tDLLfbdtAGApDg#va-open-conversations__section_yd3_fgp_14b).
If needed, you can also change the time at which the Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations job
runs.
Note:
If you're using NLU/keyword, you can initiate the Closing Conversation topic with phrases tied to the intent (End Conversations) such as Bye or Exit. If the chat isn't closing when you enter an appropriate phrase, the NLU model for the setup topics might not be published or assigned.
Closing the conversation in an LLM chat works similarly to NLU/keyword chat. You enter a phrase such as
Bye or Exit, the LLM recognizes the statement, and closes the conversation.
## Change the timeout period for Virtual Agent and live agent conversations {#va-open-conversations__section_sjj_wy2_cmb}
Add the com.glide.cs.conversation_idle_timeout property to the System
Property \[sys_properties\] table to specify the length of time that an abandoned Virtual Agent or Live Agent conversation remains open (idle). When
the Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations job runs hourly, it closes any Virtual Agent and Live Agent conversations that have been open longer
than the specified time.
1. In the navigation filter, enter sys_properties.list.
2. Click New.
1. Complete these fields:
{#va-open-conversations__table_k4d_c1t_wlb__entry__2}
| Field | Value |
|-|-|
| Name | Enter the system property name: com.glide.cs.conversation_idle_timeout |
| Description | Enter an explanation for this property: Idle timeout period (in seconds) for all conversations |
| Type | Select integer. |
| Value | Enter the number of seconds that abandoned Virtual Agent or Live Agent conversations remain open, after the requester's last response. This value must be less than 7200 seconds, since the Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations job runs every 3600 seconds (hourly) to close idle conversations. For example, a value of 1800 seconds (30 minutes) means that an abandoned conversation remains open for 1800 seconds (30 minutes). When the Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations job runs, it closes any conversations that have been idle longer than 1800 seconds. |
[ ]
{#va-open-conversations__table_k4d_c1t_wlb}
2. Click Submit.
{#va-open-conversations__ol_aq4_11t_wlb}
## Override the conversation timeout period by channel {#va-open-conversations__section_yd3_fgp_14b}
You can set the conversation timeout value for a channel by adding a channel-specific
conversation timeout value that overrides the com.glide.cs.conversation_idle_timeout property. When the Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations job runs
hourly, it closes any Virtual Agent or Live Agent conversations in
the channel that have been open longer than the specified
time.
1. In the navigation filter, enter sys_cs_channel.list.
2. In the Messaging Channels table, locate the channel record to be changed and double click the Conversation Idle Timeout field.
3. Enter the number of seconds that abandoned Virtual Agent or Live Agent conversations remain open in the channel, after the requester's last response.
For example, a value of 1800 seconds (30 minutes) means that an abandoned
conversation in the channel remains open for 1800 seconds (30 minutes). When the
Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations job runs, it closes any
conversations that have been idle longer than 1800 seconds.
4. Save the value.
{#va-open-conversations__ol_v3s_ljp_14b}
## Change the Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations scheduled job {#va-open-conversations__section_ufy_x4f_cmb}
To change the time that this hourly scheduled job runs or to make other adjustments to the scheduled job:
1. Navigate to AllSystem DefinitionScheduled Jobs and open the Time Out Abandoned VA Conversations record.
2. In the Scheduled Script Execution form, change the Time at which the scheduled job runs. Or, depending on how you want to adjust the timing, change other fields in the form as needed.
For example, to change the interval at which the job runs, in the
Run field, select Periodically. You then
specify the Repeat Interval (Days and
Hours) that the job runs and the Starting date
for the interval. For a description of the other fields that you can change in this form, see
[Automatically run a script of your
choosing](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_ScheduleAScriptExecution&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US).
3. Click Update.
The job runs at the specified time and frequency.
{#va-open-conversations__ol_fgx_pft_1mb}
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