# Experiments aren't moving

Find out why Darwin's opening experiments aren't starting or finishing: automatic testing is off, the background check is delayed, a page needs more views, the test limit is reached, or a winner is waiting for you.

This is the Markdown version of https://www.meetdarwin.ai/help/fix-a-problem/experiments-not-moving, published by Darwin and generated on 23 October 2026.

Find it in Darwin: Experiments → Settings (https://app.meetdarwin.ai/admin/experiments/settings). Updated Oct 13, 2026.

Most of the time a test that isn't moving is waiting for visitors. These checks tell you whether that's the case or something needs you.

1. **Check automatic testing is on**

   At the top of **Experiments**, the **Automatic testing** switch should be on. When it's off, Darwin doesn't start new tests or apply winners, though running tests keep collecting views.

   _Screenshot: The top of the Experiments screen with the Automatic testing switch marked, next to New experiment._

2. **Read the status in Settings**

   Open **Experiments → Settings**. The badge next to **Run tests automatically** (1) says what's happening, and **Apply winners for me** (2) decides whether a winning opening goes live by itself.

   _Screenshot: The Automatic testing section: Run tests automatically, with an Off badge and its switch marked 1, and Apply winners for me with its switch marked 2._

   - **Off**: Automatic testing is turned off.; Turn on **Run tests automatically**.
   - **Starting**: It's on, and the first check hasn't run yet.; Wait for it; it runs shortly.
   - **On** or **Checking**: Darwin checks your tests every few hours, and at least once a day.; Nothing. Look at your pages' views (next step).
   - **Retrying**: The last check didn't finish. Darwin tries again.; Wait for the next check. Your current openings stay live.
   - **Needs attention**: Checks are delayed.; [Contact support](https://www.meetdarwin.ai/help/support/contact-support). Your current openings stay live.
   - **Not connected**: The background service isn't connected.; [Contact support](https://www.meetdarwin.ai/help/support/contact-support). You can run a check with **Check now**.

3. **Check the page has enough views**

   Open **Experiments → Pages**. **Status** shows **Testing**, **Winner in use** or **No active test**, and **Views · 28 days** shows how many visitors saw an opening. A page gets a test of its own once it reaches the views set under **Limits**; quieter pages share a test with similar pages or the rest of the site. **Test this page** starts one now.

   _Screenshot: The Pages table: five pages with their type, status and views in 28 days. No active test is marked on a page with no views yet._

   A page with no views yet usually doesn't have the chat installed, or gets few visitors. See [The chat isn't showing](https://www.meetdarwin.ai/help/fix-a-problem/chat-not-showing).

4. **Check the test limit**

   In **Experiments → Settings → Limits**, **Tests running at once** caps how many automatic tests run together, up to 20. When it's reached, eligible pages wait, busiest first.

   _Screenshot: The Limits section: Views before a page gets its own test, and Tests running at once with its value marked._

5. **Look at recent checks**

   Open **Experiments → History → Activity** to see each check Darwin ran and any problem it hit. Then select **Check now** in **Settings** once and wait for it; selecting it again won't speed anything up.

   _Screenshot: History with the Results, Needs review and Activity tabs. Activity is marked and reads No activity yet._

## Other things you may see

- **Ready to apply**: a test found a winner, and **Apply winners for me** is off. Open the test and apply it if you agree. See [Review tests and apply winners](https://www.meetdarwin.ai/help/experiments/review-tests-and-apply-winners).
- **Paused**: the test is paused. Open it to see why and resume it.
- **Still gathering results** on the Overview: the test has run for a while without a clear answer. It shows how many days in it is and, when Darwin can tell, how long until a clear answer.
- A result shown as **—** means there isn't enough data on both sides yet. It isn't zero.

## Good to know

- Testing a page on its own skips the shared test and the limit, but it doesn't bring visitors any faster.
- If a test ends without a clear winner, keeping the current opening is a normal result.

- [Turn on automatic testing](https://www.meetdarwin.ai/help/experiments/automatic-testing): Every setting on Experiments → Settings.
- [See what each page is showing](https://www.meetdarwin.ai/help/experiments/page-openings): Page statuses, test types and page controls.