Ansible in a Minute · Ansible Core ·
Use ignore_errors to continue after a failed command
Short answer
Set ignore_errors so Ansible continues the play on a host after a task returns failed.
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Request
run /bin/false with ignore_errors and then print that the play continued
Example
A quick heads-up: Every environment is different. Review and test this example before you run it on systems you care about.
---
- name: Continue after a failed command
hosts: all
gather_facts: false
tasks:
- name: Run a command that fails
ansible.builtin.command: /bin/false
ignore_errors: true
- name: Print that the play continued
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: The play continued after the failed commandHow it works
By default Ansible stops tasks on a host when a task fails on that host. ignore_errors lets the next task run after a failed result.
When to use it
- Optional commands that may fail without stopping the play
- Continuing a host after a known-soft failure
Requirements
- Ansible: >=2.14
Validation
- Syntax validated
- Not execution-tested
- Last verified 2026-09-17
Notes
ignore_errors applies only when the task runs and returns failed. It does not ignore undefined-variable errors, connection failures, missing interpreters, or syntax errors. Use failed_when when you must decide failure from stdout. Use block/rescue when you must recover.
Reference
- Ignoring failed commands (Ansible docs)
Built for every Ansible use case in every organization
BacklogZero can generate this kind of automation in your environment, just like it did here.