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Need Help: ManyChat AI still interfering with my Default Reply automation and it is affecting my automation

  • October 6, 2026
  • 1 comment
  • 5 views
automationpro

Hi everyone, I’m trying to troubleshoot an issue with ManyChat Default Reply and I’m hoping someone here has experienced something similar.

I created a simple Default Reply automation that should respond whenever someone sends a DM that doesn’t match any of my other specific automations.

The problem started after I previously connected ManyChat AI and added the client’s Knowledge Base. It seems like the AI is still somehow interfering with the Default Reply, even though I’ve already removed everything related to it.

I’ve already tried:

  • Turning off ManyChat AI

  • Deleting the Knowledge Base

  • Removing the AI instructions/prompts

  • Deactivating the AI-related setup

But the issue is still happening. The Default Reply isn’t behaving consistently, and it seems like something is still intercepting or processing the incoming messages before the Default Reply can respond properly.

What I’m trying to figure out is:

Is there another location in ManyChat where the AI, Knowledge Base, or AI behavior needs to be disabled or removed?

Could there be an existing automation, trigger, AI behavior, or hidden setting that continues to process incoming DMs even after the AI has been turned off?

I’d really appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction or let me know what else I should check.

Thanks in advance!

    1 reply

    cata_rendon
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    • cata_rendon
    • Community Moderator
    • October 6, 2026

    Hi ​@automationpro , something that helps understand this: when a DM comes in, ManyChat first checks your automations, then passes it to the AI, and only if the AI doesn't pick it up it goes to the Default Reply. So if any AI piece is still active, it can catch the message before the Default Reply does.

    Since you already turned off ManyChat AI, I'd check specifically the AI Replies skill (Manychat AI → Skills → AI Replies). It's a separate toggle, so it's worth confirming it's off even if you removed everything else.

    Then two things that could explain why it's inconsistent and not just broken:

    1. The Default Reply trigger frequency. If it's set to once every 24 hours, it won't answer every message from the same person, and when you're testing with the same account that can look a lot like the AI interfering.
    2. Automatic replies outside ManyChat, like instant replies set up in Meta Business Suite. Those can answer before ManyChat does.
    3. Conversation Starters: Check if you have any enable that is triggering unwanted responses

    If all of that looks fine, it's worth noticing what exactly happens when you test, whether the AI still replies or nothing replies at all, since that points to different causes.

    Hope this helps!

    Cata 

     

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