SharePoint Designer Workflow Doesn't Start Automatically

Tearing your hair out about why your Sharepoint Designer workflow doesn’t start automatically on item creation, but you can start it manually?

Try this:

1. Check that workflow has “Start workflow automatically when an item was created” enabled
2. Are you logged in as System Account? If you create a item using System Account, the workflow will not function properly or won’t start automatically. System Account is the account that’s used for the application pool running the web app. Log in as another account, and try creating the item again.
3. Check the item’s workflow page. Sometimes workflows take time to complete, or page does not automatically refresh (showing a cached version).
4. Try republishing the workflow in SharePoint Designer
5. Try removing “Allow this workflow to be automatically started” from the workflow definition, save, and republish.
6. Check to see if your workflow has errors. Won’t compile, etc. Try troubleshooting here:
7. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint-designer-help/troubleshoot-workflow-errors-HA010237912.aspx#BM2
8. Delete the workflow and create it from scratch again (nuclear option).