Trouble with HubSpot API: Some contact properties not updating in batch

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1

I’m having a weird problem with the HubSpot Batch API. I’m trying to update contact properties for 50 contacts at a time, but it’s not working right. Some properties update fine, but others don’t change at all.

I know HubSpot doesn’t change the “update date” if the new value is the same as the old one. But that’s not what’s happening here. The new values are different, so they should be updating. But they’re not.

Here’s a simplified version of my code:

function updateContactBatch($batchData) {
    $updates = [];
    foreach ($batchData as $data) {
        $contact = findContact($data['email']);
        if (!$contact) continue;
        
        $newProps = [
            'prop_a' => $data['value_a'],
            'prop_b' => $data['value_b'],
            'prop_c' => $data['value_c'],
            'prop_d' => $data['value_d'],
            'prop_e' => $data['value_e'],
        ];
        
        $updates[] = new ContactUpdate([
            'id' => $contact->getId(),
            'properties' => $newProps
        ]);
        
        pause(1);
    }
    
    if (!$updates) return;
    
    $batchUpdate = new BatchUpdate(['updates' => $updates]);
    pause(40);
}

Any ideas what could be going wrong? I’m stumped!

2

have u checked property permisions? sometimes props are locked or have specific update rules. also, check if u hit api limits or quota. smaller batches or longer delays might help resolve it.

3

I’ve encountered similar issues with the HubSpot API before, and it can be frustrating. One thing that helped me was to double-check the property names in the HubSpot portal. Sometimes, the internal names differ from what’s displayed in the UI.

Another potential issue could be rate limiting. Even though you’re pausing between updates, HubSpot might still be throttling your requests. I found success by implementing exponential backoff and retry logic.

Have you checked the API response for any error messages? In my experience, HubSpot doesn’t always throw exceptions for partial failures. You might need to parse the response carefully to catch any issues.

Lastly, consider using the v3 API if you’re not already. It has better error handling and more consistent behavior across different endpoints. It took some refactoring, but it solved many of my batch update headaches.

4

I’ve dealt with similar HubSpot API quirks before. One thing to consider is the property field types. Some fields, especially custom ones, might have specific validation rules or formatting requirements that aren’t immediately obvious. It’s worth double-checking the field definitions in your HubSpot account.

Another potential issue could be related to the API version you’re using. If you’re on an older version, there might be known bugs or limitations. Upgrading to the latest version could potentially resolve the issue.

Have you tried logging the API responses for each batch update? Sometimes, HubSpot returns subtle error messages that can provide clues about why certain properties aren’t updating. Implementing detailed logging could help pinpoint the exact properties causing trouble.

Lastly, consider reaching out to HubSpot support directly. They might be aware of specific issues related to batch updates and could provide more tailored troubleshooting steps or workarounds.

5

I’ve run into this exact problem before, and it was a real headache to debug. One thing that worked for me was to split the batch updates into smaller chunks. Instead of 50 contacts at a time, try 10 or even 5. It’s counterintuitive, but sometimes smaller batches are more reliable.

Another trick that helped was to add more detailed error handling. HubSpot’s API can be finicky about returning errors, so I started wrapping each API call in a try-catch block and logging any exceptions. This helped me spot issues that were getting swallowed up in the batch process.

Also, have you verified that all the properties you’re trying to update are actually writeable via the API? I once spent hours troubleshooting only to realize one of the properties was read-only. Check the property settings in your HubSpot portal to be sure.

Lastly, if all else fails, you might need to fall back to individual contact updates instead of batch. It’s slower, but sometimes it’s the only way to get consistent results with HubSpot’s API.

6

yo, i had similar problems w/ hubspot api. try checking the property field types in ur account settings. sometimes custom fields have weird rules. also, make sure ur using the latest api version. older ones can be buggy af. if nothing works, maybe try individual updates instead of batch. slower but might fix it