9 Dynamics Debugging Tools and Techniques You Never Knew Existed
You want to fix Dynamics Debugging headaches fast, right? You can save hours by using smarter tools—one developer cut debugging time from 8 hours to just 20 minutes with the right approach. Big names like Amazon and Google report up to 70% faster testing and error fixes. Each tip here shows you what the tool does, how to use it, and a quick trick. Try these methods and watch your troubleshooting get easier.
Key Takeaways
Use Plugin Trace Log to catch plugin errors and trace info. Turn it off when you finish to keep your system fast.
XrmToolBox Trace Viewer helps you find plugin logs on your computer. It saves time and makes fixing errors easier.
Run Solution Checker often to spot hidden problems in your Dynamics solutions. This helps you stop big problems before they start.
Browser Developer Tools let you check web client issues like slow pages or JavaScript errors. You do not need extra software for this.
Power Platform Diagnostics and Fiddler help you watch app health and network traffic. You can find problems early and fix them faster.
1. Plugin Trace Log
Overview
You want to know what really happens when your plugin code runs in Dynamics? Plugin Trace Log gives you a behind-the-scenes look. This tool records detailed information about your plugins and custom workflow activities. You can spot errors, see what happens during rollbacks, and even catch issues in background processes. Here are some situations where Plugin Trace Log shines:
Troubleshooting plugins or custom workflows by capturing run-time details.
Keeping trace logs even if a database transaction rolls back, so you never lose important clues.
Showing trace info in error dialogs for synchronous plugins, letting you download logs right from the web app.
Helping you debug background (asynchronous) plugins by storing trace data in system job details.
Giving you the choice to log everything or just exceptions, so you control the amount of data.
Setup
Getting Plugin Trace Log working takes a few steps, but you can do it quickly:
Add
ITracingService
to your plugin code.Register your plugin in Dynamics.
Go to Settings > Administration > System Settings.
Click the Customization tab.
Set 'Plugin and custom workflow activity tracing' to All (or Exception if you only want errors).
Confirm your changes.
Make sure a product record named 'Plugin' exists under Settings > Products. If not, create one and set its type to server.
Inside the Plugin product record, add a Settings Key called 'debug' and set its value to true.
Reproduce the issue you want to trace.
Check the logs under Settings > Plugin Trace Log.
Note: Only enable Plugin Trace Log when you are actively debugging. Leaving it on can fill up your logs and slow down your system.
Tips
You can avoid common mistakes with a few simple habits:
Always turn on Plugin Trace Log before you start debugging. It is off by default.
Profile the plugin step if you want to capture trace logs.
Do not leave tracing enabled in production. This can slow things down and fill up your storage.
Pick the right logging level. 'All' gives you every detail, while 'Exception' only logs errors.
Turn off tracing when you finish debugging to keep your system running smoothly.
💡 Quick Tip: If you ever wonder why you cannot find any logs, double-check that tracing is enabled and the debug key is set to true. This small step solves most setup issues.
2. XrmToolBox Trace Viewer
Overview
Ever wish you could see all your Dynamics trace logs in one place? XrmToolBox Trace Viewer makes that possible. This tool lets you open, filter, and search plugin trace logs right from your desktop. You do not need to dig through the Dynamics interface or export logs one by one. With Trace Viewer, you can spot errors, warnings, and even performance issues in seconds. It works great for anyone who wants to speed up Dynamics Debugging and make sense of complex logs.
Usage
You can get started with XrmToolBox Trace Viewer in just a few steps:
Download and install XrmToolBox if you have not already.
Open XrmToolBox and connect it to your Dynamics environment.
Search for "Plugin Trace Viewer" in the tool list.
Open the tool and click "Load Logs" to pull trace logs from your system.
Use the built-in filters to find logs by date, plugin, or error type.
Double-click any log entry to see full details, including stack traces and custom messages.
Tip: You can export filtered logs to a file. This helps you share findings with your team or keep records for future reference.
Tips
You can get more out of Trace Viewer with these tricks:
Use the search bar to find specific error codes or messages fast.
Filter logs by user or plugin step to narrow down issues.
Save your favorite filter settings for next time.
Check the "Duration" column to spot slow plugins that may need tuning.
Export only the logs you need, not everything.
💡 Quick Tip: If you see lots of similar errors, group them together. This helps you fix root problems instead of chasing each error one by one.
3. Solution Checker
Overview
You want to find problems before they get worse. Solution Checker helps you do this. The tool scans your Dynamics 365 solutions for hidden issues. These issues can slow down your system or break features. You get a report that shows what needs fixing. Solution Checker checks plug-ins, workflows, web resources, and Power Automate flows. It looks for errors and bad practices. It also finds things that might cause upgrade problems later. If you want easier Dynamics Debugging, this tool is a good start.
Running Checks
You can use Solution Checker in Power Platform admin center or Maker Portal. Here is how you do it:
Open your environment in Power Platform.
Go to Solutions and pick one to check.
Click Solution Checker in the toolbar.
Press Run and wait for the scan.
Look at the results in the Solution Checker panel.
You will see a list of issues with severity levels. The tool gives you links to learn more about each problem. You can download the report or share it with your team.
Tips
You may wonder what errors Solution Checker finds most. Here are some common ones:
Duplicate Dataverse plug-in registrations (critical for performance)
Missing filtering attributes in plug-in registrations (medium severity)
Plug-ins registered on Retrieve or RetrieveMultiple messages when not needed
Inactive configurations left in Dataverse
Use of old plug-in registration stages from earlier Dynamics versions
Licensing issues with restricted SDK messages or missing licenses
🛠️ Pro Tip: Run Solution Checker before you import or export solutions. You will catch problems early and avoid surprises in production. Make this a habit and you will spend less time on Dynamics Debugging later.
4. Browser Developer Tools
Overview
Do you want to know what happens in your Dynamics 365 web client? Browser Developer Tools help you see this. These tools are already in browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. You can look at page parts, watch network traffic, and debug JavaScript in your browser. This makes Dynamics Debugging much easier. It helps when pages are slow or errors show up.
Here are some top ways to use Browser Developer Tools for Dynamics:
Setup
You can open Developer Tools by pressing F12
or right-clicking and picking "Inspect." Inside, you will see tabs like Elements, Console, and Network. Each tab helps with different problems. The Network tab lets you watch requests and find failed calls. The Console tab shows JavaScript errors and warnings.
Remember these browser compatibility tips:
Browsers handle CSS, JavaScript, and HTML5 in different ways. This can cause layout or feature problems.
Use browser-specific CSS prefixes and JavaScript polyfills to fix issues.
Test your Dynamics site in many browsers. Tools like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs help with this.
For Power Pages, try the Power Pages DevTools extension in Microsoft Edge. It lets you check Liquid logs and permission errors. This extension does not work in Chrome yet.
⚠️ Note: Always use standard web technologies. Do not use browser tricks that only work in one browser.
Tips
You can do more with Browser Developer Tools if you follow these habits:
Use the Network tab to check if Dynamics loads all files. Missing files can break features.
Watch for JavaScript errors in the Console. Fixing these can solve many user complaints.
Check which browser add-ons are active. Some can block scripts or change how Dynamics works.
Always test your changes in different browsers and devices.
🔒 Security Tip: Developer Tools let anyone change code in the browser. Attackers can use this to mess with your app or steal data. Never trust client-side code for security. Always keep important logic safe on the server.
Browser Developer Tools make Dynamics Debugging faster and easier to see. You can find problems early and fix them before users notice.
5. Dynamics Debugging with Visual Studio
Overview
Visual Studio helps you debug your Dynamics plugins and custom code. You can watch your code run step by step. You can set breakpoints to stop the code and check what is happening. You can see how variables change while the code runs. This makes finding bugs much easier. You connect Visual Studio to your Dynamics server. Then you attach it to the right process. This works best for on-premise Dynamics setups. If you use Dynamics 365 Online, you need other tools. For on-premise, Visual Studio is a great choice for Dynamics Debugging.
Remote Debugging
Remote debugging lets you use Visual Studio from your computer. You connect to a Dynamics server that is far away. You can see what happens on the server in real time. Before you start, make sure you have these things ready:
Your computer and the server must be on the same network or domain.
You need administrator rights on the server.
Install the Visual Studio Remote Debugger (MSVSMON.EXE) on the server.
Open the right firewall ports for the debugger.
Run the remote debugger as an administrator.
Here is a quick setup example:
Install the Remote Debugging Tools on the Dynamics server.
Start the remote debugger on the server with admin rights.
In Visual Studio, go to Debug > Attach to Process.
Enter the server name and pick the right process (like w3wp.exe for web apps).
Set breakpoints in your plugin code.
Trigger the plugin from Dynamics and watch Visual Studio catch it.
You might see some common problems. Here is a table to help you spot them:
💡 Tip: Try remote debugging in a test environment first. This helps you avoid freezing the server or causing problems for other users.
Tips
Always use debug builds for remote debugging.
Make sure the remote debugger is running with admin rights.
Do not use remote debugging on production servers. It can slow down the system.
Try unit tests or the Plugin Registration tool for safer troubleshooting.
Practice in a sandbox before using it live.
🚩 Quick Reminder: Remote debugging is strong, but it can slow down the server. Use it only when you need deep insights.
6. In-Client Troubleshooting Tools
Overview
You can fix problems in Dynamics without leaving the app. The platform has built-in tools you use right inside Dynamics. These tools help you find and fix issues fast. You can check system health and see user permissions. You can also watch how pages load. You do not need to install extra software. All these features work together. They help you see what is happening in your system.
Here are some helpful in-client troubleshooting tools you can use:
Help and Support: Get tips and technical info where you work. You also get step-by-step help.
Inspect Pages/Data: Look at page layouts and the data behind them. This helps you find things that do not match.
Scheduled Tasks: See which jobs are planned or running. You can spot delays or stuck jobs.
Effective Permissions: Check what users can do. This helps you fix permission errors fast.
Table Information and Data: Look into database tables and their contents. This helps you understand your data better.
Database Locks: Watch for locks that slow things down or cause errors.
Event Recorder: Record workflows to see how they run in real time.
Connectivity Test: Make sure your network and services connect as they should.
In Client Profiler: Profile performance to find out why pages are slow.
These tools help you see how the system works. They also help you find what is slowing things down. You can use them with other troubleshooting steps. This includes checking your network and setup.
Access
You can open these tools from the Dynamics interface. Most tools are in the settings or help menus. For example, open Help and Support from the top bar. To inspect data or permissions, look in the record or table menus. Some tools, like Event Recorder or In Client Profiler, are in advanced settings or diagnostics.
💡 Tip: If you cannot find a tool, search for its name in the Dynamics search bar. Some features are hidden in menus. A quick search can help you find them fast.
Tips
Use the Help and Support panel first when you have a new problem. It often gives you the right steps.
Check Scheduled Tasks if you see delays. You might find a stuck job.
Always check user permissions before looking for bigger problems.
Export report data to Excel. This makes it easier to look at and share.
Run the In Client Profiler when things are slow. This helps you catch performance issues as they happen.
🚦 Quick Reminder: Troubleshooting works best when you use these tools together. Start with simple checks, then look deeper if you need more answers.
7. Custom Workflow Tracing
Overview
Custom workflow tracing gives you a powerful way to see what happens inside your workflows. You get more than just basic logs. With tracing, you can track every step your workflow takes. This helps you spot errors, understand how your plugins and workflows interact, and even find performance issues. Here’s what you gain when you enable custom workflow tracing:
You get detailed logs of plugin and workflow activity, stored as custom records with notes.
You see the full execution context, which helps you debug complex problems.
You can find errors in production, even when you can’t use remote debugging.
You don’t need to change your code just to get trace info—logs are ready for you.
You can spot unnecessary triggers and plugin chains that slow things down.
Trace logs link directly to workflows or dialogs, making it easy to jump to the right spot.
You learn more about how Dynamics CRM runs your code, which helps you fix errors and boost performance.
💡 Tip: Custom workflow tracing is a lifesaver when you need to debug issues that only happen in production.
Enabling Tracing
You can turn on custom workflow tracing in just a few steps:
Find the section called 'Plug-in and custom workflow activity tracing.'
Pick your logging level:
'Exception' logs only errors.
'All' logs everything.
'Off' turns tracing off.
Remember, tracing can slow things down if you leave it on too long.
Trace logs from ITracingService show up in process sessions or error dialogs, depending on the workflow type.
Asynchronous workflows always show trace logs.
Synchronous workflows might only show logs in error dialogs, and sometimes users see a 'Download Log File' option.
Only users with System Administrator or System Customizer roles can change these settings.
⚠️ Note: Logs don’t last forever. Dynamics cleans them up daily, but you can change this if you need to keep logs longer.
Tips
Always enable tracing before you start troubleshooting. It’s off by default.
Use 'All' for deep dives, but switch back to 'Exception' or 'Off' when you finish.
If you need more details, use the Web API to filter and read trace messages.
Don’t forget: trace logs don’t show every custom detail. Sometimes you need to check custom log entities.
Build a unified logging system if you want easier searching and better alerts.
Handle exceptions with try/catch blocks to avoid confusing users or exposing sensitive info.
Give integration users only the permissions they need for better security.
🚦 Quick Reminder: Good tracing helps you find problems fast, but too much logging can slow your system. Always balance detail with performance.
8. Power Platform Diagnostics
Overview
You want to see what is happening in your Power Platform. Power Platform Diagnostics has tools built in for this. You can check if your apps, flows, and services are healthy. This helps you find problems early. You can also watch how your system works over time. The tool shows errors, slow spots, and network issues. You do not need to add anything new. It all works in your browser.
Here are some things you can check with Power Platform Diagnostics:
Service health and outages
API call failures
Flow run history and errors
Environment capacity and usage
Network latency and connectivity
🛠️ Pro Tip: Use diagnostics when apps are slow or flows fail. You can often find the problem in a few minutes.
Navigation
You can open Power Platform Diagnostics in a few steps. First, go to the Power Platform Admin Center. Next, pick your environment from the list. Click Health in the left menu. Choose Service Health, Capacity, or Network to see different reports. For flow problems, open Monitor in Power Automate and check the run history.
You can also use the Diagnostics Tool link in some app help menus. This tool runs quick tests and shows results right away.
Tips
Check diagnostics every week to catch problems early.
Use flow run history to spot error patterns.
Watch your environment capacity. Full storage can break apps.
If you see network issues, try the test from another place.
Download reports and share them with your team for faster fixes.
💡 Quick Tip: If you cannot fix a problem, export the results and send them to Microsoft support. This saves time and helps you get answers faster.
9. Fiddler HTTP Debugging
Overview
Fiddler is a strong tool that helps you see what happens between your browser and Dynamics. It lets you watch, check, and even change HTTP and HTTPS traffic. This means you can find problems right away. With Fiddler, you look at requests and responses to see why something is not working. You can also test how Dynamics acts in different cases without changing your code.
Here are some things you can do with Fiddler:
Capture all HTTP and HTTPS traffic, even if it is encrypted.
Find API errors, like wrong data or missing info.
See if your app sends too many or too few requests.
Notice requests that happen at the wrong time.
Check for slow or big data transfers.
Pause requests, change them, and see how the server reacts.
Test security, like trying again to log in or checking weak headers.
💡 Tip: Fiddler lets you change requests as they go. You can see how Dynamics handles new headers or data without changing your code.
Setup
Getting Fiddler ready is simple, but you need to do it right for Dynamics:
Install Fiddler Everywhere on your computer.
Set Fiddler as your system proxy so it can see your traffic.
For HTTPS, install Fiddler’s root certificate. This lets you look at secure traffic.
Filter traffic by host or URL to only see Dynamics data.
For mobile testing, install the root certificate on your device and set the proxy to Fiddler’s address.
Use FiddlerScript to make checks or spot security problems.
⚠️ Note: Only use Fiddler in test or development places. Never use it on live systems unless you have permission.
Tips
Always filter traffic so you do not see too much at once.
Use breakpoints to stop and change requests before they reach the server.
Check login tokens and security headers for problems.
Export sessions to share with your team or support.
Automate checks with FiddlerScript.
Watch for repeated requests or big data that slow things down.
🛡️ Security Tip: Fiddler can see private data. Keep your logs safe and never share them outside your team.
You now have nine powerful tools and techniques at your fingertips. Try each one to see which works best for your daily troubleshooting. You might find that a simple log or a quick diagnostic check saves you hours.
Test these methods on real issues.
Share your favorite tips or stories in the comments.
Help others by joining the conversation.
🚀 Ready to solve problems faster? Your next breakthrough could be just one tool away!
FAQ
How do I choose the right debugging tool for my Dynamics issue?
Start by figuring out if your problem is with plugins, workflows, or the web client. Pick a tool that matches your issue. If you’re not sure, try Plugin Trace Log first. It works for most plugin errors.
Can I use these tools in Dynamics 365 Online?
Yes, you can use most tools in Dynamics 365 Online.
XrmToolBox, Solution Checker, and Power Platform Diagnostics work online.
Visual Studio remote debugging only works for on-premise setups.
Will debugging slow down my Dynamics system?
Debugging can slow things down if you leave tracing or logging on. Always turn off extra logging when you finish. Use test environments for deep debugging.
What should I do if I see lots of errors in my logs?
Make a list of the errors.
Group similar ones together.
Fix the root cause first.
Use filters in XrmToolBox or Fiddler to narrow down the problem.
Is it safe to use Fiddler or browser tools on production systems?
Only use Fiddler or browser tools on production if you have permission. These tools can see private data. Always keep logs secure and follow your company’s rules.