failed to load this workflow to correct this problem restart sharepoint designer 2013

In this SharePoint designer 2013 workflow tutorial, we will discuss how to fix the error, failed to load this workflow to correct this problem restart sharepoint designer 2013 and also we will see how to fix error windows workflow foundation part of .net framework 3.0 must be installed sharepoint designer.

failed to load this workflow to correct this problem restart sharepoint designer 2013

Let me tell you the scenario when this error I got.

We develop a SharePoint designer 2013 workflow a few days back for a SharePoint Online list.

Now for some business requirements, I wanted to modify the designer workflow. So I tried to open the workflow using the SharePoint designer 2013.

But when I tried to edit the workflow it gave me an error as “failed to load this workflow. to correct this problem restart sharepoint designer“. It looks like below:

windows workflow foundation part of .net framework 3.0 must be installed to use this feature

When I restarted SharePoint designer 2013, it gave another error “Windows workflow foundation, part of .Net framework 3.0, must be installed to use this feature.“. It looks like below:

I restarted the SharePoint designer 2013, clear SharePoint designer 2013 cache, but still, the issue was the same.

The workflow did not open in SharePoint designer 2013.

Fix:

Below is the approach I followed to fix the error Failed to load this workflow. To correct this problem, restart SharePoint designer. or Windows workflow foundation, part of .Net framework 3.0, must be installed to use this feature.

Open another SharePoint Online site using SharePoint designer 2013 and created a workflow.

Then go to the below directory

C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Microsoft\SharePoint Designer\ProxyAssemblyCache[Designer version like 15.0.0.4455] and copy Microsoft.Activities.Proxy.dll dll and paste in the below directory.

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebsiteCache\[site name][Designer version like 15.0.0.4455]

Also, make sure that you should have the below two dlls.

• Microsoft.SharePoint.WorkflowServices.Activities.Proxy.dll
• Microsoft.Web.Design.Client.dll

in the below directory.

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebsiteCache\[site name][Designer version like 15.0.0.4455]

Now restart the SharePoint designer 2013 and open the workflow, it should open without any error.

You may like the following SharePoint workflow tutorials:

• You do not have permission to open this web site in SharePoint designer 2013
• The expected version of the product was not found on the system error while installing SharePoint designer 2013 Service Pack 1
• Copy Document SharePoint Designer 2013 Workflow Action
• Start a task process SharePoint designer 2013 workflow action
• How to deploy SharePoint 2013 designer workflow into Production
• the file has been modified by SharePoint error

I hope you can fix the below error by following the above approach:

• windows workflow foundation part of .net framework 3.0 must be installed sharepoint designer
• failed to load this workflow to correct this problem restart sharepoint designer 2013