---
title: "How to Automatically Return Chat to AI"
description: "When a human agent takes over a conversation from AI, the chat stays assigned to that agent."
canonical_url: https://chatfuel.com/docs/ai-features/how-to-automatically-return-chat-to-ai
markdown_url: https://chatfuel.com/docs/ai-features/how-to-automatically-return-chat-to-ai.md
last_updated: 2026-08-12
lang: en
site: https://chatfuel.com/docs
llms_txt: https://chatfuel.com/llms.txt
---

# How to Automatically Return Chat to AI

When a human agent takes over a conversation from AI, the chat stays assigned to that agent.

## What is Chat Timeout? [#what-is-chat-timeout]

When a human agent [takes over a conversation from AI](https://chatfuel.com/docs/ai-features/how-to-stop-ai-during-active-conversations), the chat stays assigned to that agent. Chat Timeout automatically returns the conversation to Fuely AI after a set period of inactivity, so you don't have to reassign it manually.

This is useful when agents handle a chat but forget to hand it back — the timeout ensures AI picks up the conversation again without any gaps.

## Set it up in Settings [#set-it-up-in-settings]

1. Go to **Settings** in the sidebar.
2. Open the **Chats** section.
3. Find the **Chat timeout** option.
4. Choose the timeout period — this is how long the system waits after the last agent message before returning the chat to AI.

Once enabled, any chat assigned to a human agent will automatically switch back to Fuely AI after the chosen period of inactivity.

## Or ask the AI Co-Worker [#or-ask-the-ai-co-worker]

Tell it what you want in chat:

*"Return chats to AI after 30 minutes of agent inactivity."*

It applies the change and confirms what it set.

## How it works [#how-it-works]

* The timer starts after the last message sent by the human agent in that chat.
* If the agent sends another message, the timer resets.
* When the timer expires, the chat is reassigned to Fuely AI and automation resumes.
* If the agent [closes the chat](https://chatfuel.com/docs/leads/how-to-close-live-chat) before the timeout, the timer is cancelled — closed chats are not returned to AI.

## When to use it [#when-to-use-it]

* **Small teams** where agents handle multiple chats and may forget to reassign back to AI.
* **After-hours coverage** — if an agent replies late in the day and leaves, AI takes over again automatically.
* **High-volume inboxes** where manual reassignment slows things down.

## Tips [#tips]

* Start with a longer timeout (e.g., 30 minutes or 1 hour) to avoid AI jumping back in while the agent is still helping the customer.
* If your team typically wraps up conversations quickly, a shorter timeout works well.
* Chat Timeout works alongside your [Switch to human rules](https://chatfuel.com/docs/ai-features/how-to-set-up-chat-assignment-rules) — it does not override them, it only applies when a chat was already assigned to an agent.