If you're having trouble connecting Fellow to Slack or seeing error messages during setup, this article will help you resolve common connection issues. Most problems stem from connecting in the wrong direction, workspace conflicts, or Slack admin permissions. Understanding these limitations helps you connect successfully.
Understanding Slack Connection Requirements
Before troubleshooting specific errors, understand how the Fellow-Slack connection works:
Connection rules:
One Slack workspace can only connect to one Fellow workspace (1:1 relationship)
One Fellow workspace can only connect to one Slack workspace (1:1 relationship)
Connection must be initiated from Fellow, not from Slack
Slack admin approval may be required depending on workspace settings
User-level connection required in Fellow's User Settings
General Connection Issues
Nothing happens when trying to connect
Possible causes:
Connecting from Slack instead of Fellow
Pop-up blocker preventing authorization window
Already connected to a different workspace
Solutions:
Connect from Fellow, not Slack:
Don't start the connection process from within Slack
Go to Fellow first
Navigate to User Settings > Apps & Integrations
Find the Slack integration card
Click Connect
Check for pop-up blockers:
Allow pop-ups for fellow.app in your browser
Look for blocked pop-up notification in address bar
Try again after allowing pop-ups
Clear browser cache:
Clear cache and cookies for fellow.app
Try connecting in an incognito/private window
Use a different browser if issues persist
Connection times out or fails
Solutions:
Check your internet connection
Verify Slack is accessible (not blocked by firewall/VPN)
Try again in a few minutes
Contact Fellow Support if timeouts persist
Slack admin approval required
What you'll see:
Message stating you need to request approval from Slack admin
Connection doesn't complete
Pending approval status
Solutions:
Submit approval request:
Click Request Approval when prompted
Add a message explaining why you need Fellow integration
Wait for Slack admin to approve
Contact your Slack admin directly:
Explain you need Fellow app approved
Share Fellow's Slack API Scopes documentation
Follow up if approval takes more than a few days
For Slack admins:
Review the approval request in Slack admin settings
Check Fellow's requested permissions
Approve the app for your workspace
Specific Error Messages
Error: Slack workspace already connected to another Fellow workspace
Error message: "This Slack workspace is already connected to another Fellow workspace. Please contact support for assistance."
What this means:
The Slack workspace you're trying to connect is already linked to a different Fellow workspace
Only one Fellow workspace can connect to each Slack workspace
Someone else in your organization likely connected it already
Solutions:
Check if you should use the existing connection:
Ask teammates which Fellow workspace is connected to Slack
Determine if you should join that Fellow workspace instead
This is often the right solution for teams
Request disconnection from other workspace:
Contact Fellow Support
Provide the Fellow workspace URL you want to connect
Support will request confirmation from the other workspace's administrator
Once disconnected, you can connect to your workspace
What Support needs:
Confirmation from the other Fellow workspace administrator
Which Slack workspace needs to be disconnected
Which Fellow workspace should be connected instead
Error: Fellow workspace already connected to a different Slack workspace
Error message: "You tried to connect to Slack workspace 'x', but this Fellow workspace is currently connected to 'X.' Only one Slack workspace can be connected to a Fellow workspace."
What this means:
Your Fellow workspace is already connected to a different Slack workspace
You can only connect one Slack workspace per Fellow workspace
The current connection must be disconnected first
Solutions:
Verify which Slack workspace is connected:
Go to User Settings > Apps & Integrations
Look at the Slack integration card
See which Slack workspace is currently connected
Disconnect current Slack workspace:
Contact Fellow Support
Request disconnection of the current Slack workspace
Support will request confirmation from your Fellow workspace administrator
Once disconnected, connect to the correct Slack workspace
Consider if you're in the right Fellow workspace:
Verify you're in the correct Fellow workspace
Check if you should be using a different Fellow workspace
Join the correct workspace if you were invited to the wrong one
What Support needs:
Confirmation from your Fellow workspace administrator
Which Slack workspace to disconnect
Which Slack workspace to connect instead
Verifying Your Slack Connection
After successfully connecting, verify everything is working:
Check connection status
Go to User Settings > Apps & Integrations
Find the Slack integration card
Should show Connected with your Slack workspace name
Disconnect button should be available
Test the integration
Try these quick tests to confirm everything works:
Send a test note to Slack:
Open any meeting note
Click Send notes button
Select Send via Slack
Choose a channel or person
Verify the note appears in Slack
Check for Fellow bot in Slack:
Open Slack
Look for Fellow app under Apps section
Click on Fellow to see App Home
Test quick actions:
Open a meeting note
Use slash command /fellow in Slack to verify bot responds
Additional Troubleshooting
Connection shows as connected but features don't work
Possible causes:
Connection is stale or expired
Slack permissions changed
Recent Slack workspace changes
Solutions:
Disconnect and reconnect Slack in Fellow
Verify Fellow app is still installed in Slack
Check that Fellow app has required permissions in Slack admin settings
Contact Support if reconnection doesn't resolve the issue
Can't send notes to Slack channels
Possible causes:
Fellow bot not added to private channels
Insufficient Slack permissions
Channel settings restrict apps
Solutions:
Invite Fellow bot to private channels: Type /invite @Fellow in the channel
Verify you have permission to add apps to the channel
Check with Slack admin if channels restrict app access
Fellow bot not responding in Slack
Solutions:
Verify Slack integration is connected in Fellow
Check that Fellow app is installed in your Slack workspace
Try mentioning the bot: @Fellow in a channel
Reinstall Fellow app in Slack if necessary
Want to switch to a different Slack workspace
Process:
Contact Fellow Support
Request disconnection from current Slack workspace
Provide confirmation from Fellow workspace administrator
Once disconnected, connect to the new Slack workspace
Multiple people on team having connection issues
Possible causes:
Slack admin hasn't approved Fellow app
Workspace-level permissions issue
Fellow app needs reinstallation
Solutions:
Have Slack admin check app approval status
Reinstall Fellow app in Slack workspace
Verify all users are connecting from Fellow (not from Slack)
Contact Support if issues persist across team
When to Contact Support
Contact Fellow Support for:
Disconnecting Slack from one Fellow workspace to connect to another
Disconnecting Fellow from one Slack workspace to connect to another
Connection errors not covered in this article
Issues persisting after trying all troubleshooting steps
What to include in your support request:
Screenshot of the error message
Which Slack workspace you're trying to connect
Which Fellow workspace you're using
Whether you have admin approval
Steps you've already tried
For workspace changes requiring admin confirmation:
Support will contact the relevant administrator
Provide clear approval for the disconnection/reconnection
Process typically takes 1-2 business days