Salesforce Integration FAQ & Troubleshooting Guide | Knit

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on troubleshooting common Salesforce integration challenges. Whether you're facing authentication issues, configuration errors, or data synchronization problems, this FAQ provides step-by-step instructions to help you debug and fix these issues.

Building a Salesforce Integration? Learn all about the Salesforce API in our in-depth Salesforce Integration Guide

1. Authentication & Session Issues

I’m getting an "INVALID_SESSION_ID" error when I call the API. What should I do?

1. Verify Token Validity: Ensure your OAuth token is current and hasn’t expired or been revoked.
2. Check the Instance URL: Confirm that your API calls use the correct instance URL provided during authentication.
3. Review Session Settings: Examine your Salesforce session timeout settings in Setup to see if they are shorter than expected.
4. Validate Connected App Configuration: Double-check your Connected App settings, including callback URL, OAuth scopes, and IP restrictions.

Resolution: Refresh your token if needed, update your API endpoint to the proper instance, and adjust session or Connected App settings as required.

I keep encountering an "INVALID_GRANT" error during OAuth login. How do I fix this?

1. Review Credentials: Verify that your username, password, client ID, and secret are correct.
2. Confirm Callback URL: Ensure the callback URL in your token request exactly matches the one in your Connected App.
3. Check for Token Revocation: Verify that tokens haven’t been revoked by an administrator.

Resolution: Correct any mismatches in credentials or settings and restart the OAuth process to obtain fresh tokens.

How do I obtain a new OAuth token when mine expires?

1. Implement the Refresh Token Flow: Use a POST request with the “refresh_token” grant type and your client credentials.
2. Monitor for Errors: Check for any “invalid_grant” responses and ensure your stored refresh token is valid.

Resolution: Integrate an automatic token refresh process to ensure seamless generation of a new access token when needed.

2. Connected App & Integration Configuration

What do I need to do to set up a Connected App for OAuth authentication?

1. Review OAuth Settings: Validate your callback URL, OAuth scopes, and security settings.
2. Test the Connection: Use tools like Postman to verify that authentication works correctly.
3. Examine IP Restrictions: Check that your app isn’t blocked by Salesforce IP restrictions.

Resolution: Reconfigure your Connected App as needed and test until you receive valid tokens.

My integration works in Sandbox but fails in Production. Why might that be?

1. Compare Environment Settings: Ensure that credentials, endpoints, and Connected App configurations are environment-specific.
2. Review Security Policies: Verify that differences in profiles, sharing settings, or IP ranges aren’t causing issues.

Resolution: Adjust your production settings to mirror your sandbox configuration and update any environment-specific parameters.

How can I properly configure Salesforce as an Identity Provider for SSO integrations?

1. Enable Identity Provider: Activate the Identity Provider settings in Salesforce Setup.
2. Exchange Metadata: Share metadata between Salesforce and your service provider to establish trust.
3. Test the SSO Flow: Ensure that SSO redirects and authentications are functioning as expected.

Resolution: Follow Salesforce’s guidelines, test in a sandbox, and ensure all endpoints and metadata are exchanged correctly.

3. API Errors & Data Access Issues

I’m receiving an "INVALID_FIELD" error in my SOQL query. How do I fix it?

1. Double-Check Field Names: Look for typos or incorrect API names in your query.
2. Verify Permissions: Ensure the integration user has the necessary field-level security and access.
3. Test in Developer Console: Run the query in Salesforce’s Developer Console to isolate the issue.

Resolution: Correct the field names and update permissions so the integration user can access the required data.

I get a "MALFORMED_ID" error in my API calls. What’s causing this?

1. Inspect ID Formats: Verify that Salesforce record IDs are 15 or 18 characters long and correctly formatted.
2. Check Data Processing: Ensure your code isn’t altering or truncating the IDs.

Resolution: Adjust your integration to enforce proper ID formatting and validate IDs before using them in API calls.

I’m seeing errors about "Insufficient access rights on cross-reference id." How do I resolve this?

1. Review User Permissions: Check that your integration user has access to the required objects and fields.
2. Inspect Sharing Settings: Validate that sharing rules allow access to the referenced records.
3. Confirm Data Integrity: Ensure the related records exist and are accessible.

Resolution: Update user permissions and sharing settings to ensure all referenced data is accessible.

4. API Implementation & Integration Techniques

Should I use REST or SOAP APIs for my integration?

1. Define Your Requirements: Identify whether you need simple CRUD operations (REST) or complex, formal transactions (SOAP).
2. Prototype Both Approaches: Build small tests with each API to compare performance and ease of use.
3. Review Documentation: Consult Salesforce best practices for guidance.

Resolution: Choose REST for lightweight web/mobile applications and SOAP for enterprise-level integrations that require robust transaction support.

How do I leverage the Bulk API in my Java application?

1. Review Bulk API Documentation: Understand job creation, batch processing, and error handling.
2. Test with Sample Jobs: Submit test batches and monitor job status.
3. Implement Logging: Record job progress and any errors for troubleshooting.

Resolution: Integrate the Bulk API using available libraries or custom HTTP requests, ensuring continuous monitoring of job statuses.

How can I use JWT-based authentication with Salesforce?

1. Generate a Proper JWT: Construct a JWT with the required claims and an appropriate expiration time.
2. Sign the Token Securely: Use your private key to sign the JWT.
3. Exchange for an Access Token: Submit the JWT to Salesforce’s token endpoint via the JWT Bearer flow.

Resolution: Ensure the JWT is correctly formatted and securely signed, then follow Salesforce documentation to obtain your access token.

How do I connect my custom mobile app to Salesforce?

1. Utilize the Mobile SDK: Implement authentication and data sync using Salesforce’s Mobile SDK.
2. Integrate REST APIs: Use the REST API to fetch and update data while managing tokens securely.
3. Plan for Offline Access: Consider offline synchronization if required.

Resolution: Develop your mobile integration with Salesforce’s mobile tools, ensuring robust authentication and data synchronization.

5. Performance, Logging & Rate Limits

How can I better manage API rate limits in my integration?

1. Optimize API Calls: Use selective queries and caching to reduce unnecessary requests.
2. Leverage Bulk Operations: Use the Bulk API for high-volume data transfers.
3. Implement Backoff Strategies: Build in exponential backoff to slow down requests during peak times.

Resolution: Refactor your integration to minimize API calls and use smart retry logic to handle rate limits gracefully.

What logging strategy should I adopt for my integration?

1. Use Native Salesforce Tools: Leverage built-in logging features or create custom Apex logging.
2. Integrate External Monitoring: Consider third-party solutions for real-time alerts.
3. Regularly Review Logs: Analyze logs to identify recurring issues.

Resolution: Develop a layered logging system that captures detailed data while protecting sensitive information.

How do I debug and log API responses effectively?

1. Implement Detailed Logging: Capture comprehensive request/response data with sensitive details redacted.
2. Use Debugging Tools: Employ tools like Postman to simulate and test API calls.
3. Monitor Logs Continuously: Regularly analyze logs to identify recurring errors.

Resolution: Establish a robust logging framework for real-time monitoring and proactive error resolution.

6. Middleware & Integration Strategies

How can I integrate Salesforce with external systems like SQL databases, legacy systems, or marketing platforms?

1. Select the Right Middleware: Choose a tool such as MuleSoft(if you're building intenral automations) or Knit (if you're building embedded integrations to connect to your customers' salesforce instance).
2. Map Data Fields Accurately: Ensure clear field mapping between Salesforce and the external system.
3. Implement Robust Error Handling: Configure your middleware to log errors and retry failed transfers.

Resolution: Adopt middleware that matches your requirements for secure, accurate, and efficient data exchange.

I’m encountering data synchronization issues between systems. How do I fix this?

1. Implement Incremental Updates: Use timestamps or change data capture to update only modified records.
2. Define Conflict Resolution Rules: Establish clear policies for handling discrepancies.
3. Monitor Synchronization Logs: Track synchronization to identify and fix errors.

Resolution: Enhance your data sync strategy with incremental updates and conflict resolution to ensure data consistency.

7. Best Practices & Security

What is the safest way to store and manage Salesforce OAuth tokens?

1. Use Secure Storage: Store tokens in encrypted storage on your server.
2. Follow Security Best Practices: Implement token rotation and revoke tokens if needed.
3. Audit Regularly: Periodically review token access policies.

Resolution: Use secure storage combined with robust access controls to protect your OAuth tokens.

How can I secure my integration endpoints effectively?

1. Limit OAuth Scopes: Configure your Connected App to request only necessary permissions.
2. Enforce IP Restrictions: Set up whitelisting on Salesforce and your integration server.
3. Use Dedicated Integration Users: Assign minimal permissions to reduce risk.

Resolution: Strengthen your security by combining narrow OAuth scopes, IP restrictions, and dedicated integration user accounts.

What common pitfalls should I avoid when building my Salesforce integrations?

1. Avoid Hardcoding Credentials: Use secure storage and environment variables for sensitive data.
2. Implement Robust Token Management: Ensure your integration handles token expiration and refresh automatically.
3. Monitor API Usage: Regularly review API consumption and optimize queries as needed.

Resolution: Follow Salesforce best practices to secure credentials, manage tokens properly, and design your integration for scalability and reliability.

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