---
title: "Troubleshooting"
description: "Common issues and solutions for your portfolio website"
---

# Troubleshooting Guide

Quick solutions to common problems you might encounter.

## Database & Backend Issues

### Data Not Loading

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Site shows empty/basic mode">
    **Cause:** Environment variables not configured or Appwrite connection failed.
    
    **Solution:**
    1. Check `.env` file exists with correct values
    2. Verify Appwrite project ID is correct
    3. Check browser console for errors
    4. Ensure Appwrite platform includes your domain
    
    ```env
    VITE_APPWRITE_ENDPOINT=https://cloud.appwrite.io/v1
    VITE_APPWRITE_PROJECT_ID=your_project_id
    VITE_APPWRITE_DATABASE_ID=portfolio_db
    ```
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="CORS Error in Console">
    **Error:** `Access to XMLHttpRequest blocked by CORS policy`
    
    **Solution:**
    1. Go to Appwrite Console → Settings → Platforms
    2. Add your domain:
       - `localhost` (for development)
       - `your-site.vercel.app` (for production)
       - `yourdomain.com` (custom domain)
    3. Wait 1-2 minutes for changes to propagate
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Collection Not Found (404)">
    **Error:** `Collection or database not found`
    
    **Solution:**
    1. Verify collection exists in Appwrite Console
    2. Check collection ID matches exactly (case-sensitive)
    3. Ensure database ID is correct in `.env`
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Permission Denied (401/403)">
    **Error:** `User is not authorized`
    
    **Solution:**
    1. Check collection permissions in Appwrite
    2. For public content: Add "Any" with Read permission
    3. For admin content: Add "Users" with all permissions
    4. See [Permissions Guide](/appwrite/permissions)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Image & Storage Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Images Not Uploading">
    **Possible Causes:**
    - File too large (check bucket max size)
    - Wrong file format
    - Bucket permissions incorrect
    
    **Solution:**
    1. Check file size (usually max 10MB)
    2. Use supported formats: jpg, png, gif, webp
    3. Verify bucket has "Users" create permission
    4. Check browser console for specific error
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Images Not Displaying">
    **Possible Causes:**
    - Bucket doesn't have public read access
    - Image URL is incorrect
    - Image was deleted
    
    **Solution:**
    1. Check bucket has "Any" read permission
    2. Test image URL directly in browser
    3. Re-upload the image if needed
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Font Upload Fails">
    **Solution:**
    1. Ensure file is `.ttf`, `.otf`, or `.woff` format
    2. Check file size < 5MB
    3. Verify `custom-fonts` bucket exists
    4. Check bucket permissions
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Deployment Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Vercel Build Fails">
    **Common Causes:**
    - Missing dependencies
    - Environment variables not set
    - Syntax errors in code
    
    **Solution:**
    1. Check Vercel build logs for specific error
    2. Run `npm run build` locally to test
    3. Ensure all env variables are set in Vercel
    4. Check for TypeScript/ESLint errors
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="404 on Page Refresh">
    **Cause:** SPA routing not configured
    
    **Solution:** Add `vercel.json` to project root:
    ```json
    {
      "rewrites": [{ "source": "/(.*)", "destination": "/" }]
    }
    ```
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Environment Variables Not Working">
    **Solution:**
    1. Variables must start with `VITE_` prefix
    2. Redeploy after adding variables
    3. Check variables are set for correct environment (Production/Preview)
    4. Clear browser cache after redeploying
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Admin Panel Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can't Login to Admin">
    **Solution:**
    1. Verify Appwrite account exists
    2. Check email is verified in Appwrite
    3. Clear browser cookies and try again
    4. Check Appwrite Console for user status
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Changes Not Saving">
    **Possible Causes:**
    - Network error
    - Permission denied
    - Validation error
    
    **Solution:**
    1. Check browser console for errors
    2. Verify you're logged in
    3. Check all required fields are filled
    4. Try refreshing and re-saving
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Rich Text Editor Not Working">
    **Solution:**
    1. Clear browser cache
    2. Try a different browser
    3. Check for JavaScript errors in console
    4. Ensure all dependencies are installed
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Shortlink Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Shortlink Not Redirecting">
    **Solution:**
    1. Check shortlink is marked "Active"
    2. Verify path doesn't have typos
    3. Clear browser cache
    4. Check if path conflicts with existing routes
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Custom Domain Not Verifying">
    **Solution:**
    1. Wait 10-15 minutes for DNS propagation
    2. Verify DNS records are correct:
       - CNAME pointing to your domain
       - TXT record with verification token
    3. Check DNS with online tools (dnschecker.org)
    4. Ensure Cloudflare proxy is enabled (if using)
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Analytics Not Recording">
    **Solution:**
    1. Check `shortlink_analytics` collection exists
    2. Verify collection permissions
    3. Test with incognito/private browsing
    4. Check browser console for errors
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Shop & Payment Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="PayPal Not Loading">
    **Solution:**
    1. Verify `VITE_PAYPAL_CLIENT_ID` is set
    2. Check PayPal Client ID is correct
    3. Ensure PayPal app is enabled
    4. Test with sandbox credentials first
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Order Not Creating">
    **Solution:**
    1. Check `orders` collection exists with all attributes
    2. Verify collection permissions
    3. Check browser console for validation errors
    4. Ensure all required fields are provided
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Download Links Not Working">
    **Solution:**
    1. Check `order-files` bucket exists
    2. Verify user is logged in
    3. Ensure user email matches order email
    4. Check if download token expired (15 min limit)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Performance Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Site Loading Slowly">
    **Solutions:**
    1. Optimize images before uploading (compress, resize)
    2. Reduce number of embeds per page
    3. Use lazy loading for images
    4. Check network tab for slow requests
    5. Consider CDN for static assets
  </Accordion>
  
  <Accordion title="Admin Panel Laggy">
    **Solutions:**
    1. Clear browser cache
    2. Close unused browser tabs
    3. Check for memory leaks in console
    4. Reduce number of items per page in lists
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Quick Diagnostic Steps

When something isn't working:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check Browser Console">
    Press `F12` → Console tab. Look for red error messages.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Check Network Tab">
    Press `F12` → Network tab. Look for failed requests (red).
  </Step>
  <Step title="Verify Environment">
    Ensure `.env` file exists and has correct values.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Check Appwrite Console">
    Verify collections, buckets, and permissions are set up.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Clear Cache">
    Hard refresh: `Ctrl+Shift+R` (Windows) or `Cmd+Shift+R` (Mac)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Getting Help

If you're still stuck:

1. **Check the specific feature documentation** for detailed setup steps
2. **Review Appwrite Console** for database/storage issues
3. **Check Vercel logs** for deployment issues
4. **Search error messages** online for common solutions

<Note>
  Most issues are caused by missing environment variables, incorrect permissions, or CORS configuration. Always check these first!
</Note>