---
title: "Disconnected steps"
slug: "disconnected-steps"
updated: 2026-11-09T16:31:51Z
published: 2026-11-09T16:31:51Z
canonical: "help.userflow.com/disconnected-steps"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.userflow.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Disconnected steps

The disconnected steps error means one or more steps in your flow can't be reached from the first step, so no user would ever see them. The Flow builder won't save the flow until every step is linked. This page shows how to link steps so the error goes away.

![The disconnected steps error in the Flow builder](https://cdn.us.document360.io/9697557a-eb5d-476f-9b09-062b0f7bdcbd/Images/Documentation/image(583).png)

## Why does Userflow show a disconnected steps error?

Before the Flow builder can auto-save a flow, every step must be reachable from the first one. A step with nothing leading to it is disconnected. This often happens after you add a step, insert one between two others, or delete a step that used to link two others. See [Adding and deleting steps in a flow](/userflow/docs/adding-and-deleting-steps).

## How do I link steps?

A step can lead to another step in four ways:

1. **Tooltips:** when the tooltip's target element is clicked.
2. **Buttons:** when the button is clicked.
3. **Triggers:** when the trigger's condition (the "if" in "if this, then that") is true. See [Step triggers in Flow builder basics](/userflow/docs/flow-builder-basics#step-triggers).
4. **Questions:** when an answer is submitted.

Each of these has a link port in the Flow builder: a small light-blue square with an arrow.

![The light-blue link port on a button in a flow step](https://cdn.us.document360.io/9697557a-eb5d-476f-9b09-062b0f7bdcbd/Images/Documentation/image(584).png)

To connect two steps, click a link port, then click anywhere on the step it should lead to. An arrow appears between them.

![Two flow steps connected by an arrow from a button's link port](https://cdn.us.document360.io/9697557a-eb5d-476f-9b09-062b0f7bdcbd/Images/Documentation/connected.png)

You can also link with the keyboard: select a button, trigger, or tooltip, press **L**, use the arrow keys to move to the step, and press **Enter**. See [Keyboard shortcuts and interactions](/userflow/docs/flow-builder-ergonomics).

## Video: connect a speech bubble step with a button

[Embedded content](https://www.loom.com/embed/c5ab504fb739466096bd9c4d69bdd6e4)

## Video: connect a tooltip step to the next step

[Embedded content](https://www.loom.com/embed/d0f7560069964c249dcbfe27b0afe61b)

## Related articles

- [Flow builder basics](/userflow/docs/flow-builder-basics)
- [Adding and deleting steps in a flow](/userflow/docs/adding-and-deleting-steps)
- [Hidden steps](/userflow/docs/hidden-steps)
- [Keyboard shortcuts and interactions](/userflow/docs/flow-builder-ergonomics)