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Troubleshooting

Common issues and their solutions. If you don't find your issue here, check the FAQ or open an issue on GitHub.

Graph Issues​

Graph Not Showing Any Nodes​

Symptoms: Empty graph or only source node visible

Solutions:

  1. Check directory scanning:
    • Settings → Nexus Properties → Directory scanning
    • Ensure current file's folder is scanned
    • Or use ["*"] to scan all directories
  2. Check relationships exist:
    • File must have Parent, Child, or Related properties
    • Add relationships to see connections
  3. Check view mode:
    • Hierarchical mode needs parent-child relationships
    • Related mode needs related relationships
    • Try different view modes
  4. Check filters:
    • Clear any active filters
    • Filters might be hiding all nodes
  5. Run full rescan:
    • Settings → Nexus Properties → Indexing
    • Click "Rescan Everything"

Graph Showing Wrong Nodes​

Symptoms: Unexpected nodes appear or expected nodes missing

Solutions:

  1. Check view mode:
    • Hierarchical shows parent-child tree
    • Related shows direct related only
    • All Related shows entire constellation
    • Use correct mode for what you want to see
  2. Check "Include All Related":
    • In Hierarchical mode, this checkbox adds related nodes
    • Toggle to see difference
  3. Check "Start from Current":
    • When enabled, shows from current file down
    • When disabled, shows from root down
    • Toggle to see full hierarchy vs subtree
  4. Check filters:
    • Active filters hide non-matching nodes
    • Clear filters to see all nodes
  5. Verify relationships:
    • Open files and check frontmatter
    • Use tooltips to verify properties
    • Run rescan if relationships seem wrong

Nodes Overlapping or Bad Layout​

Symptoms: Nodes on top of each other or layout looks broken

Solutions:

  1. Refresh layout:
    • Switch view mode and back
    • Resize graph window
    • Enter/exit zoom mode
  2. Check animation duration:
    • If too fast, layout might not settle
    • Increase to 800ms for smoother transitions
  3. Reduce node count:
    • Use filters to show fewer nodes
    • Reduce recursion depth
    • Use "Start from Current" for focused view
  4. Report as bug:

Graph Performance is Slow​

Symptoms: Lag when interacting with graph, slow animations

Solutions:

  1. Reduce recursion depth:
    • Settings → All Related Max Depth (lower to 5-7)
    • Settings → Hierarchy Traversal Depth (lower to 10-15)
  2. Disable animations:
    • Settings → Graph Animation Duration → 0ms
  3. Limit directory scanning:
    • Settings → Directory scanning
    • Only scan folders you need
  4. Use filtering:
    • Apply filters to reduce visible nodes
    • Fewer nodes = better performance
  5. Use "Start from Current":
    • Shows subset instead of entire tree
  6. Check other plugins:
    • Disable other resource-intensive plugins temporarily
    • Check if performance improves

Relationship Issues​

Relationships Not Syncing​

Symptoms: Adding relationship in one file doesn't update the other

Solutions:

  1. Check property names:
    • Settings → Nexus Properties → Direct relationship properties
    • Verify you're using correct property names (default: Parent, Child, Related)
    • Case-sensitive!
  2. Check wiki link format:
    • Must use [[note name]] format
    • Not plain text
    • Not markdown links [text](file.md)
  3. Check directory scanning:
    • Both files must be in indexed directories
    • Settings → Directory scanning
  4. Check file saved:
    • Ensure file is saved after changes
    • Try closing and reopening file
  5. Run full rescan:
    • Settings → Nexus Properties → Indexing
    • Click "Rescan Everything"
  6. Check console for errors:
    • Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+I
    • Look for relationship sync errors

Orphaned Relationships​

Symptoms: Relationships pointing to non-existent files

Solutions:

  1. Check target file exists:
    • Verify file wasn't deleted or renamed
    • Search vault for the file
  2. Check wiki link spelling:
    • Typos in file names
    • Case sensitivity
  3. Run full rescan:
    • Automatically cleans up orphaned relationships
    • Settings → Indexing → "Rescan Everything"
  4. Manual cleanup:
    • Open file with orphaned relationship
    • Remove broken link from frontmatter
    • Save file

Circular Relationships​

Symptoms: A is parent of B, B is parent of A

Solutions:

  • Plugin should prevent this automatically
  • If it occurs:
    1. Manually break one relationship
    2. Run full rescan
    3. Report as bug if prevention didn't work

Too Many Auto-Linked Siblings​

Symptoms: Siblings automatically marked as related, cluttering the graph

Solutions:

  1. Disable auto-link siblings:
    • Settings → Direct relationship properties
    • Uncheck "Auto-link siblings"
  2. Or use filtering:
    • Filter out sibling relationships
    • Keep feature enabled but hide in graph

Color Rules Issues​

Color Rule Not Working​

Symptoms: Nodes not changing color despite rule

Solutions:

  1. Check expression syntax:
    • Must be valid JavaScript
    • Property names case-sensitive
    • Strings need quotes: status === 'active'
    • Not status === active
  2. Check property exists:
    • Use tooltips to verify property name
    • Check frontmatter directly
    • Property might be misspelled
  3. Check rule enabled:
    • Settings → Node colors
    • Checkbox should be checked
  4. Check rule order:
    • First matching rule wins
    • Earlier rule might be matching instead
    • Reorder with ↑/↓ buttons
  5. Check console for errors:
    • Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+I
    • Invalid expressions logged to console

All Nodes Same Color​

Symptoms: Color rules not creating variety

Solutions:

  1. Check properties vary:
    • Nodes need different property values
    • If all nodes have status: active, all match same rule
  2. Check rule expressions:
    • Rules might be too broad
    • First rule might match everything
  3. Add more specific rules:
    • Create rules for each category
    • Check property values in your notes

Filtering Issues​

Filter Not Working​

Symptoms: Nodes still visible despite filter

Solutions:

  1. Check expression syntax:
    • Must be valid JavaScript
    • Same rules as color expressions
  2. Check property names:
    • Case-sensitive
    • Must match frontmatter exactly
  3. Check filter applied:
    • Press Ctrl/Cmd+Enter or click outside input
    • Filter must be applied to take effect
  4. Check source node:
    • Source node always visible (intentional)
    • Even if doesn't match filter
  5. Check console for errors:
    • Invalid filters logged to console

No Nodes After Filtering​

Symptoms: All nodes hidden (except source)

Solutions:

  1. Filter too restrictive:
    • No nodes match the criteria
    • Broaden filter expression
  2. Property doesn't exist:
    • Nodes might not have the property
    • Check frontmatter of a few nodes
  3. Add existence check:
    • typeof property !== 'undefined' && property === 'value'
  4. Clear filter:
    • Delete text from filter input
    • Press Ctrl/Cmd+Enter

Zoom Mode Issues​

Zoom Mode Not Activating​

Symptoms: Clicking node doesn't enter zoom mode

Solutions:

  1. Check clicking correct area:
    • Click the node itself, not empty space
    • Not the node label
  2. Check node is valid:
    • File must exist
    • Not a deleted/orphaned node
  3. Try different node:
    • Some nodes might have issues
    • Test with known good node
  4. Reload graph:
    • Close and reopen graph view

Preview Panel Not Showing​

Symptoms: Zoom mode active but no preview

Solutions:

  1. Check preview height:
    • Settings → Zoom Preview Height
    • Must be > 120px
    • Increase if very small
  2. Check visibility toggles:
    • Eye icons in preview header
    • Both might be hidden
    • Click to show sections
  3. Check file not empty:
    • Empty files have empty preview
    • Add content to see it

Content Not Rendering​

Symptoms: Blank preview despite content in file

Solutions:

  1. Check markdown syntax:
    • Invalid markdown might not render
    • Open file directly to verify
  2. Check content section visible:
    • Eye icon should be open
    • Click to toggle visibility
  3. Check frontmatter vs content:
    • Frontmatter section separate from content
    • Toggle correct section
  4. Reload graph view:
    • Close and reopen graph

Node Creation Issues​

Commands Grayed Out​

Symptoms: "Create Child/Parent/Related Node" commands unavailable

Solutions:

  1. Check viewing a file:
    • Commands only work when viewing a note
    • Not when in graph view alone
  2. Check file indexed:
    • File must be in scanned directory
    • Settings → Directory scanning
  3. Check file type:
    • Must be a markdown file
    • Not an image, PDF, etc.

Properties Not Inherited​

Symptoms: New node missing properties from source

Solutions:

  1. Check excluded properties:
    • Settings → Excluded properties
    • Property might be in default exclusion list
    • Or in path-based rule
  2. Check property exists in source:
    • Verify source file has the property
    • Can't inherit what doesn't exist
  3. Check property name spelling:
    • Case-sensitive
    • Must match exactly

Relationship Not Created​

Symptoms: New node not linked to source

Solutions:

  1. Check both files:
    • Open both files
    • Verify frontmatter in each
  2. Check property names:
    • Settings → Direct relationship properties
    • Using correct property names?
  3. Run full rescan:
    • Settings → Indexing → "Rescan Everything"
    • Rebuilds all relationships

File Name Conflicts​

Symptoms: "File already exists" error

Solution:

  • Plugin auto-increments numbers (untitled-1, untitled-2, etc.)
  • If this fails, manually create with unique name
  • Report as bug if auto-increment not working

Search Issues​

Search Not Finding Nodes​

Symptoms: Typing in search doesn't highlight nodes

Solutions:

  1. Check search bar visible:
    • Command: "Toggle Graph Search"
    • Or enable default visibility in settings
  2. Check typing in correct field:
    • Click search input to focus
    • Text should appear as you type
  3. Check searching filename:
    • Search only searches filename/path
    • Not content or properties
    • Use filter for property-based search
  4. Check case-insensitive:
    • Should match regardless of case
    • Try lowercase version

All Nodes Dim​

Symptoms: All nodes dimmed, none highlighted

Solution:

  • No nodes match search
  • Check spelling
  • Try partial match (first few letters)
  • Clear search to return to normal

Performance Issues​

Plugin Slow on Startup​

Symptoms: Long wait when opening Obsidian or enabling plugin

Solutions:

  1. Large vault indexing:
    • Initial index can take time
    • Progress logged to console (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+I)
  2. Limit directory scanning:
    • Settings → Directory scanning
    • Only scan necessary folders
  3. Check other plugins:
    • Disable other plugins temporarily
    • See if startup improves
  4. Check vault size:
    • Thousands of files take longer
    • Consider splitting into multiple vaults

Memory Issues​

Symptoms: Obsidian becomes sluggish or crashes

Solutions:

  1. Reduce node count:
    • Use filtering aggressively
    • Limit recursion depth
    • Focus on smaller subsets
  2. Disable animation:
    • Settings → Animation Duration → 0ms
  3. Close other plugins:
    • Disable resource-intensive plugins
  4. Restart Obsidian:
    • Memory leaks can accumulate
    • Restart periodically
  5. Consider splitting vault:
    • Very large vaults may need splitting

Console Errors​

Check the Console​

Many issues show errors in the developer console:

  1. Open console:
    • Press Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+I
    • Click "Console" tab
  2. Look for Nexus Properties errors:
    • Error messages in red
    • Warnings in yellow
  3. Copy error messages:
    • Right-click error → Copy
    • Include in bug report

Common Error Messages​

"File not found":

  • Orphaned relationship
  • File was deleted or renamed
  • Run full rescan to clean up

"Invalid expression":

  • Color rule or filter expression has syntax error
  • Check expression in settings
  • Fix JavaScript syntax

"Circular relationship detected":

  • System prevented circular link
  • Choose different parent/child
  • Should be automatic prevention

"Property not found":

  • Expected property doesn't exist in file
  • Check frontmatter
  • Add property or adjust expression

Getting More Help​

Before Asking for Help​

Collect information:

  1. Obsidian version: Help → About
  2. Plugin version: Settings → Community plugins → Nexus Properties
  3. Error messages: From console (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+I)
  4. Steps to reproduce: How to trigger the issue
  5. Expected vs actual: What should happen vs what does

Where to Ask​

  1. Check FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
  2. Search issues: GitHub Issues
  3. Ask community: GitHub Discussions
  4. Report bug: New Issue

Include in Bug Reports​

  • Obsidian version
  • Plugin version
  • Steps to reproduce
  • Expected behavior
  • Actual behavior
  • Console errors (if any)
  • Screenshots (if visual issue)
  • Relevant frontmatter examples

Still Having Issues?​

If you can't find a solution:

  1. Search existing issues
  2. Open a new issue
  3. Provide detailed information
  4. Attach screenshots/logs

We're here to help! 🚀