Common Issues
general
Real-Time Features Not Working (Chat, Notifications, Live Updates)
Your app has real-time features (chat, live notifications, real-time data updates) but they don't work. Messages don't appear until you refresh, notifications are delayed or missing, or the live update feature requires manual refreshing.
Common Causes
- WebSocket connection failing or not supported by the hosting platform
- Real-time subscriptions not set up correctly in the database
- The app uses polling but the interval is too long or the polling broke
- Hosting platform doesn't support persistent connections (serverless limitation)
- Supabase Realtime not enabled for the relevant tables
How to Fix It
- Check the browser console for WebSocket connection errors
- If using Supabase, verify that Realtime is enabled for the tables you need
- Check if your hosting platform supports WebSockets (some serverless platforms don't)
- Verify the real-time subscription code is listening to the correct channel/table
- As a fallback, implement polling (periodic refresh) until WebSockets are fixed
Real developers can help you.
Describe what's wrong in plain English. No technical knowledge needed.
Get HelpFrequently Asked Questions
Chat messages only appear after I refresh the page. Why?
The real-time subscription is probably not working. This could be a WebSocket connection issue, incorrect subscription setup, or a hosting platform limitation.
Can real-time features work on any hosting platform?
Not all platforms support WebSockets. Serverless platforms often can't maintain persistent connections. A developer can recommend the right setup for your needs.