How can I unassign a user who no longer exists?

[Deleted user]

Our designer has left us and her account has been deleted in Jira.
Unfortunately, Jira is still looking for her... because she has automatically assigned all design work steps of the workflow to herself.
If we now try to set a workflow to "Needs Design" for example, Jira still tries to automatically assign it to her. In doing so, it runs into the void with the message: "Cannot assign issue to nonexistent user" and no longer allows the issue for anyone.
We have not yet found a way to remove this assignment. Very annoying. Can anyone help?

[Manisha · Accepted solution]

Hi Michael,

As per my understanding, issues are getting automatically assigned to Designer because of Post Function used in the workflow when the issue is transitioned to Needs Design status .  Please try the below steps.

 1.Go to your workflow page by clicking on the Cog icon > Issues and then click on Workflows from the right pane.
2. Now identify the current workflow currently in use by the appropriate project.
3. Click on the edit link under Actions for your desired workflow scheme.
4. Click on the First Step Name(id) which is Open by default. A new screen will appear showing the workflow for the Step: Open.
5. Click on Create Issue. Now you will see the Transition : Create Issue workflow page. Click on the Post-Functions tab. 
6. You will see the Post Functions used for the transition and search the Update Issue Field option. 
7. You can delete the Update Issue Field post function or change the assignee to someone else.

[Alex Koxaras -Relational-]

Hi @[deleted] 

The first rule in Jira is: We do not delete a user .

The second rule in Jira is: We do not delete a user .

The third rule in Jira is: We deactivate a user instead :) 

I would look in jira automation and within your workflows to see if an automation exists which autoassign the issues. I would of course remove it.

I would also try from the advanced issue search to search for all issue that are unassigned, OR created from the date your designer left till today. You might get lucky.