Need Help: ManyChat AI still interfering with my Default Reply automation

Question

Hi everyone, I’m having an issue with a ManyChat automation and would really appreciate some help.

I built a basic DM automation using the Default Reply. The goal is simple: whenever someone sends a message containing any keyword/message that doesn’t match another specific automation, the Default Reply should trigger and send my predefined automated response.

However, I previously connected Manychat AI and fed it the client’s Knowledge Base. It appears that the AI is now interfering with or taking over the Default Reply automation.

The problem is that even after:

Turning off ManyChat AI
Deleting the Knowledge Base
Removing/deactivating the AI-related setup

…the issue is still happening. The Default Reply does not consistently behave as expected, and it seems like something from the previous AI setup is still affecting the message handling.

My question:
Is there another place in ManyChat where the AI/Knowledge Base configuration needs to be completely removed or disabled? Could there be an existing AI trigger, automation, or setting that continues to process incoming DMs even after AI has been turned off?

I’d appreciate any guidance on how to completely stop ManyChat AI from interfering with my Default Reply automation.

Thanks!

SumGenius · Answer

You're looking for a leftover AI setting and I don't think there is one. ManyChat processes an incoming message in a fixed order: first it tries to handle it inside whatever automation that contact is already sitting in, then keywords top to bottom, then AI Intent, and Default Reply last as the catch all.

So Default Reply only ever fires when the three above it pass. Inconsistent Default Reply almost always means something higher in that chain is claiming the message, not that Default Reply is broken.

AI Intent is the one that survives what you've already done. If any live automation matches on intent rather than keywords, ManyChat's AI reads every incoming DM to decide whether it matches, and that happens before Default Reply gets a look in. Turning the global AI off and deleting the knowledge base doesn't touch it.

Worth checking step one too. Any contact sitting mid flow has their message eaten by that flow, which would explain why it's inconsistent rather than dead for everyone.

Filter your automations to Live, check the trigger type on each, and treat anything set to intent as a suspect. Then open a conversation where it misbehaved and see if the inbox shows you which automation ran.

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