When you build a custom agent in Copilot Studio, the session timeout controls how long an agent can remain idle before it resets. A timeout that is too short causes the agent to restart mid-conversation, forcing users to repeat themselves. This happens because the default session duration is set to a low value that does not match your business workflow. This article explains why the timeout is too short, how to increase it in Copilot Studio, and what to do if the change does not take effect.
Key Takeaways: Fixing Copilot Studio Session Timeout
- Copilot Studio > Agents > Settings > General > Session timeout: Controls the maximum idle time before a conversation resets.
- Default timeout value of 15 minutes: Too short for complex troubleshooting or data entry tasks.
- Increase timeout to 30 or 60 minutes: Reduces user frustration and prevents data loss during long interactions.
Why the Copilot Studio Agent Session Timeout Is Too Short
The session timeout in Copilot Studio is a safety mechanism that frees up system resources when a user walks away from a conversation. By default, the timeout is set to 15 minutes of inactivity. This value was chosen to balance resource usage across tenants, but it does not account for real-world scenarios where users pause to gather information, read documents, or switch tasks.
When the agent resets after a timeout, the entire conversation history is lost. The user must start over, re-entering context and details already provided. This is especially problematic for agents used in customer support, HR onboarding, or IT troubleshooting where a single session may last 30 to 45 minutes. The root cause is not a bug — it is a configurable setting that administrators often overlook during agent deployment.
Steps to Increase the Session Timeout in Copilot Studio
Follow these steps to adjust the session timeout for any custom agent you own or manage. You need the Copilot Studio author or administrator role to change settings.
- Open Copilot Studio and select your agent
Sign in to Copilot Studio at copilotstudio.microsoft.com. On the home page, locate your agent under the Agents tab. Click the agent name to open its configuration page. - Go to the Settings tab
In the left navigation menu, click Settings. This opens the general configuration area for the agent. - Click the General section
Under the Settings page, find and click General. This section contains the session timeout slider and other basic options. - Adjust the Session timeout slider
Locate the Session timeout setting. The default value is 15 minutes. Drag the slider to your desired value. Options range from 5 minutes to 60 minutes. For most business scenarios, set it to 30 or 60 minutes. - Save the changes
Click Save in the top toolbar. Copilot Studio applies the new timeout to all future conversations. Existing sessions that are already idle may still expire under the old timeout.
After saving, test the agent by starting a conversation and leaving it idle for the new timeout duration. The agent should remain active and retain the conversation when you return.
If the Session Timeout Change Does Not Take Effect
The agent still resets after 15 minutes
If the agent continues to timeout after 15 minutes despite changing the slider, clear the browser cache for Copilot Studio. Stale cache can hold the old configuration. In your browser, open Developer Tools F12, go to Application or Storage, and clear site data for copilotstudio.microsoft.com. Then sign out and sign back in. Recheck the timeout value in Settings > General — it should show your new value.
Multiple agents share the same timeout
Session timeout is set per agent. If you have more than one agent, you must change the timeout for each one individually. There is no tenant-wide setting that applies to all agents at once. Navigate to each agent, follow the steps above, and save separately.
The timeout slider is grayed out
A grayed-out slider means you do not have the required permissions. Only users with the Copilot Studio author role or administrator role can edit agent settings. Contact your Microsoft 365 global administrator to request the appropriate role. After the role is assigned, sign out and sign back in to Copilot Studio to see the slider enabled.
Copilot Studio Default vs Recommended Session Timeout
| Item | Default 15 minutes | Recommended 30-60 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Use case | Quick Q&A or single-answer agents | Multi-step troubleshooting, data entry, or onboarding |
| User experience | Session resets often, user repeats input | Session persists, user resumes where they left off |
| Resource usage | Lower server load | Higher server load during idle periods |
| Conversation history | Lost after timeout | Preserved for the full duration |
| Configuration location | Copilot Studio > agent > Settings > General | Same location, value changed to 30 or 60 |
The default timeout works for simple agents that answer one question and end. For agents that guide users through multiple steps, the recommended timeout prevents data loss and reduces support tickets caused by repeated conversations.
Conclusion
You can now adjust the Copilot Studio agent session timeout from 15 minutes to up to 60 minutes using Settings > General. This change stops the agent from resetting during long conversations. Test the new timeout by leaving a conversation idle for the full duration. For agents used in customer support or HR workflows, set the timeout to 60 minutes to match typical session lengths. Remember to clear your browser cache if the new value does not apply immediately.