Umbraco 13.12.0 Media Picker Bug: Empty Folder Navigation

Hey everyone, let's dive into a frustrating bug popping up in Umbraco 13.12.0! We've been getting reports about the Media Picker in Umbraco locking up, throwing a 404 error, and generally causing a headache for users. If you're using Umbraco, this is something you'll want to pay close attention to, so let's get into it, shall we?

The Problem: Empty Folder Backwards Navigation

Alright, so here's the deal. After upgrading to Umbraco 13.12.0, we started hearing from users that their Media Pickers were freezing and displaying an error. The error message is a classic 404, pointing to /umbraco/backoffice/umbracoapi/entity/GetPagedChildren. This indicates a problem with the API endpoint Umbraco uses to fetch the children of a media item in the backoffice. At the same time, a similar error can be seen in the browser's console, where -1 is the Id of the parent node you navigate to. This all points to a navigation issue within the Media Picker itself.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. After some digging and testing, we've pinned down the culprit: navigating to an empty folder and then hitting the back button to a parent folder. Doing this consistently triggers the error and locks up the Media Picker. Once it locks, you're stuck – you can't navigate anywhere else within the picker. You have to close the editor and reopen it to regain control. This is a big usability problem, and we need to fix it. This is a very specific scenario, but it is enough to make the Umbraco experience more difficult. This specific case is not something that would affect everyone, but it is important to take into account. It's also important to note that this is not the only issue that causes problems, and the Umbraco team is working to resolve them.

We've tested this on multiple environments that were upgraded to Umbraco 13.12.0, and we can replicate the error every time. We even tested it on an environment running Umbraco 13.8.x, and the error doesn't appear. This strong evidence suggests that the bug was introduced in the 13.12.0 update.

We're dealing with a frustrating user experience: Imagine a content editor trying to add an image or video, navigating through their media library, and suddenly getting locked out. They have to save their work, close the editor, and start all over, losing their train of thought and wasting time. This bug can lead to frustration and decreased productivity for anyone working in the Umbraco CMS, so it's a priority to get it fixed.

To make it clear: The error is reproducible every time the user navigates into an empty folder in the Media Picker and then attempts to go back to a parent folder. This is a critical issue as it breaks the expected workflow of the Media Picker, a core component of Umbraco, and prevents users from completing tasks related to media management. This also includes the loading of images, videos, documents, or any other media files stored within the system.

Steps to Reproduce the Error

Okay, so how do you trigger this annoying bug? Let's break it down step-by-step:

1. Open the Media Picker: Start by opening a content item in the Umbraco backoffice that uses a Media Picker property. This could be anywhere where you can select media files, such as an image picker or a media library picker.
2. Navigate to an Empty Folder: In the Media Picker, browse to a folder that doesn't contain any media files. An empty folder is key here, guys.
3. Attempt to Navigate Backwards: Once inside the empty folder, use the back button (usually an arrow icon) to navigate back to the parent folder.
4. Error Triggered: As soon as you hit that back button, you should see the 404 error, and the Media Picker will likely freeze. The user interface becomes unresponsive.
5. Locked Out: You won't be able to navigate to any other folders or select any media. The only way to continue is to close the editor and reopen it.

It is important to emphasize again that this behavior is specific to Umbraco 13.12.0 and does not appear to affect previous versions. This means that if you've recently upgraded and are experiencing issues with your Media Picker, this could be the cause.

This bug is not just a visual glitch. It actively disrupts the content creation process. The back button functionality is fundamental for navigating through media libraries, and its failure locks users out, resulting in a poor user experience. This situation can be especially frustrating for content editors who often need to move between different folders to find the right media. The unexpected behavior also goes against the intuitive design of the CMS, which can lead to confusion and a lack of trust in the system.

The Expected vs. Actual Result

So, what should happen versus what is happening? Let's clarify:

• Expected Result: When you navigate back from an empty folder, the Media Picker should smoothly return you to the parent folder, displaying its contents without any errors. It should function like a standard file explorer, allowing you to browse your media library without any disruptions.
• Actual Result: Instead of a smooth transition, you encounter a 404 error, and the Media Picker becomes unresponsive. The back button fails, and the user is locked into the current state until the editor is closed and reopened.

The difference between the expected and actual results highlights the significance of this bug. The user experience is broken, which hinders the smooth workflow of content management within the Umbraco CMS. This disruption affects content editors, marketers, and other users who depend on the Media Picker to manage and organize media assets for their websites. The bug also undermines the reliability and trustworthiness of the CMS, leading to negative impressions and user dissatisfaction.

Why This Matters & What You Can Do

Why should you care about this, and what can you do? Well, if you're using Umbraco 13.12.0, especially if you're dealing with a lot of media, this bug could be affecting your users right now. Every time a content editor stumbles upon this error, it interrupts their workflow and creates a frustrating experience. This leads to user dissatisfaction and can impact the efficiency of your content management process. The more people using your CMS, the more likely you are to encounter this issue.

This is a critical bug that needs to be resolved to ensure the smooth operation of the Umbraco CMS. As a Umbraco developer or user, you should be aware of this bug and its implications for user experience. Make sure your team knows about this and can work around it. One temporary solution is to avoid navigating into empty folders in your media library or ensuring that all folders contain content. Another option is to downgrade your Umbraco version to a previous version.

For now, the best thing to do is to watch for updates from the Umbraco team. They're aware of the issue. Keep an eye on the Umbraco issue tracker and the release notes for the next version, which will hopefully contain a fix. As soon as a fix is available, it is recommended to update to that version to resolve the problem. Regular updates are critical for security patches and new features, so keeping your version up-to-date is very important. You can also report this bug to the Umbraco support team if you haven't already. Providing detailed information, including steps to reproduce the error, helps them find and fix the problem quickly.

Conclusion: Stay Tuned!

So, there you have it, guys. A frustrating bug in Umbraco 13.12.0 that can seriously disrupt your content editing workflow. The good news is that the Umbraco team is on the case, and hopefully, a fix will be released soon. Keep an eye on the updates, and in the meantime, be aware of the workaround: avoid navigating into empty folders or make sure that you always have content in the folder before proceeding. Stay updated for the latest news and fixes from the Umbraco team, and you'll be able to quickly resolve the issue once the patch is available. We will keep you updated as we learn more about this issue. Keep creating and building cool stuff with Umbraco!