---
title: Potential Recursive Business Rules
description: "Impact Area Performance Severity High Affected Element Business rules ## Rule number **SN-0005** ## Impact Do not use `current.update()` in a Business Rule script. The `update()` method triggers Business Rules to run on the same table for insert and update operations, potentially leading to…"
url: "https://community-staging.qualityclouds.com/qcdocs/qc/servicenow-rules/potential-recursive-business-rules/"
updated: "2025-03-21"
category: Rules
---

# Potential Recursive Business Rules

Impact Area

Performance

           Severity

High

           Affected Element

Business rules

## Rule number

**SN-0005**

## Impact

Do not use `current.update()` in a Business Rule script. The `update()` method triggers Business Rules to run on the same table for insert and update operations, potentially leading to a Business Rule calling itself over and over.

## Remediation

When a recursive Business Rule is detected, ServiceNow stops it and logs the error in the system log. However, this behavior may cause system performance issues and is never necessary.

### Time to fix

40 min