How to stop or abort a Batch job? | CRM Curator

Use System.abortJob(jobId) with the JobId returned from Database.executeBatch, or click the Abort link on the row in Setup → Apex Jobs.

Apex

Id jobId = Database.executeBatch(new MyBatch(), 200);
// ... later, decide to abort
System.abortJob(jobId);

abortJob takes the AsyncApexJob.Id. It also works on:

Scheduled Apex (JobType = 'ScheduledApex')
Queueable Apex (JobType = 'Queueable')
Batch Apex (JobType = 'BatchApex')

Behavior:

If the job is queued (status Queued or Holding) → cancelled immediately, status becomes Aborted.
If the job is running → currently executing chunks finish their work, then the job stops. Remaining chunks don’t start.

From the UI

Setup → Apex Jobs → find your row → click Abort. Same behavior as the Apex method.

You can also abort jobs in the Apex Flex Queue (Setup → Apex Flex Queue → Abort).

Find a job to abort programmatically

// Abort all batch jobs currently queued or processing for a specific class
List<AsyncApexJob> jobs = [
    SELECT Id FROM AsyncApexJob
    WHERE JobType = 'BatchApex'
      AND ApexClass.Name = 'MyRunawayBatch'
      AND Status IN ('Queued', 'Processing', 'Preparing')
];
for (AsyncApexJob j : jobs) {
    try {
        System.abortJob(j.Id);
    } catch (Exception e) {
        System.debug('Could not abort ' + j.Id + ': ' + e.getMessage());
    }
}

What abort doesn’t do

Misconception	Reality
”Records updated by completed chunks roll back”	No. Committed chunks stay committed.
”The currently running chunk stops mid-way”	No. It finishes, then no further chunks start.
”All pending callouts are cancelled”	No. In-flight callouts complete or time out normally.
”I get my async slot back instantly”	Yes — once the running chunk completes.

Permission needed

The user calling abortJob (or clicking Abort) needs either of:

They submitted the job themselves (any user can abort their own jobs).
They have Manage All Data or the equivalent permission.

Without permission you’ll see System.AsyncException: This user does not have privileges to abort this job.

Detecting aborted state

AsyncApexJob job = [SELECT Status FROM AsyncApexJob WHERE Id = :jobId];
if (job.Status == 'Aborted') {
    System.debug('Job was aborted');
}

Status will be Aborted once the abort completes. CompletedDate will also be set.

Common interview follow-ups

Can I abort a job that already failed? — No. Failed jobs are already terminal — there’s nothing to abort.
Does abort fire finish? — Yes, finish still runs (with whatever state has accumulated). Aborts are reasonably graceful.
Can I abort a BatchApexWorker (chunk)? — No, only the parent BatchApex job. The individual chunk worker isn’t directly abortable.

Verified against: Apex Developer Guide — System.abortJob. Last reviewed 2026-05-17.