Ansible in a Minute · Ansible Core ·
Use ignore_unreachable to continue after an unreachable host
Short answer
Set ignore_unreachable so Ansible continues after a host cannot be contacted.
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Request
ping hosts with ignore_unreachable 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 when a host is unreachable
hosts: all
gather_facts: false
tasks:
- name: Ping and ignore unreachable hosts
ansible.builtin.ping:
ignore_unreachable: true
- name: Print that the play continued
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: "Play continued after an unreachable host"How it works
By default an unreachable host is removed from the play. ignore_unreachable keeps that host in the play and runs the next task. Later tasks still try to contact the host unless you ignore them too.
When to use it
- Gathering status from a mixed online and offline inventory
- Continuing a play when some hosts cannot be reached
Requirements
- Ansible: >=2.14
Validation
- Syntax validated
- Not execution-tested
- Last verified 2026-09-22
Notes
ignore_unreachable applies to connection failures, not to a task that runs and returns failed. Use ignore_errors for a failed result on a reachable host. You can set ignore_unreachable on a play, a block, or a task.
Reference
- Ignoring unreachable host errors (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.