Ghost Schedulable Jobs Blocking Deployment?

Question:

Why does Salesforce block deployments due to schedulable jobs when there are no visible pending or in-progress jobs for the associated class? I’ve cleared all schedulable jobs from the class, but the issue persists. Are there ways to handle or resolve this problem?

I’ve tried querying all CronTrigger objects and aborting jobs not marked as “Deleted,” but this inadvertently cancels Dashboard Refresh jobs. Is there a better approach to handle this issue, especially for stuck jobs?

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Answer:

This issue often occurs due to “ghost” schedulable jobs, where metadata about a job lingers in the system even after it should have been cleared. Here are two potential solutions:

1. Manual Cleanup via Apex Code:

You can identify and abort all schedulable jobs by querying the CronTrigger object. While this approach will remove all scheduled jobs in the organization (including valid jobs like dashboard refreshes), it can resolve the deployment blockage caused by stuck jobs.

Run the following code in the Developer Console:

List<CronTrigger> listCronTrigger = [SELECT Id, CronExpression, EndTime, NextFireTime, OwnerId,
    PreviousFireTime, StartTime, State, TimesTriggered, TimeZoneSidKey 
    FROM CronTrigger 
    WHERE State = 'Waiting' OR State = 'Running'];

System.debug('Number of jobs: ' + listCronTrigger.size());

if (listCronTrigger.size() > 0) {
    for (CronTrigger cron : listCronTrigger) { 
        System.abortJob(cron.Id);
        System.debug('Aborted job details: ' + String.valueOf(cron));
    }
}

Code explanation:
This Apex code queries all CronTrigger objects in the Salesforce org with a state of “Waiting” or “Running,” which represent pending or active scheduled jobs. The query retrieves various fields, such as the job’s ID, cron expression, time details, owner, and current state, providing detailed information about each job. If the query returns one or more jobs, the System.abortJob() method is used to cancel each job by its ID, ensuring that all matching scheduled jobs are terminated. Finally, debug logs display the number of jobs found and details of each aborted job, allowing administrators to review the actions taken.

Important Notes:

• This code will delete all scheduled jobs in the organization. You’ll need to reschedule valid jobs manually.
• Ensure you review the jobs before deletion to avoid unintended impacts.
• If you want to target specific jobs, refine the query with additional conditions, such as filtering by OwnerId or StartTime.

2. Salesforce Support Assistance:

If you’re uncomfortable with deleting all jobs or the issue persists after running the above code, you can log a case with Salesforce Support. They can identify and remove any “ghost” schedulable jobs on their end without impacting valid jobs in your organization. While this process can take longer than using the Apex code, it minimizes disruption to active jobs.

Additional Tip:
For environments using API version 32.0 or earlier, you can use System.abortJob() with the ScheduledJob ID instead of the CronTrigger ID. This may provide more flexibility for targeting specific jobs.

These approaches should help you clear the deployment blockage caused by stuck schedulable jobs. Be sure to understand the impact of these actions on your org and coordinate with your development team if necessary.

Summing Up:

Ghost schedulable jobs in Salesforce can block deployments, causing significant challenges when lingering metadata prevents job clearance. Using Apex code to query and abort problematic jobs is a direct solution, though it requires careful handling to avoid unintended disruptions like deleting valid jobs. Alternatively, Salesforce Support can address “ghost” jobs without affecting active schedules, providing a safer but slower resolution. Understanding and effectively managing these issues ensures smoother deployments and minimizes downtime in your org.

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