[GH-ISSUE #18149] issue: Sidebar auto-reopens despite user closing it on desktop browsers #34042

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opened 2026-04-25 07:56:47 -05:00 by GiteaMirror · 6 comments
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Originally created by @yours57 on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/18149

Check Existing Issues

  • I have searched for any existing and/or related issues.
  • I have searched for any existing and/or related discussions.
  • I am using the latest version of Open WebUI.

Installation Method

Pip Install

Open WebUI Version

0.6.33

Ollama Version (if applicable)

No response

Operating System

...

Browser (if applicable)

firefox

Confirmation

  • I have read and followed all instructions in README.md.
  • I am using the latest version of both Open WebUI and Ollama.
  • I have included the browser console logs.
  • I have included the Docker container logs.
  • I have provided every relevant configuration, setting, and environment variable used in my setup.
  • I have clearly listed every relevant configuration, custom setting, environment variable, and command-line option that influences my setup (such as Docker Compose overrides, .env values, browser settings, authentication configurations, etc).
  • I have documented step-by-step reproduction instructions that are precise, sequential, and leave nothing to interpretation. My steps:
  • Start with the initial platform/version/OS and dependencies used,
  • Specify exact install/launch/configure commands,
  • List URLs visited, user input (incl. example values/emails/passwords if needed),
  • Describe all options and toggles enabled or changed,
  • Include any files or environmental changes,
  • Identify the expected and actual result at each stage,
  • Ensure any reasonably skilled user can follow and hit the same issue.

Expected Behavior

...

Actual Behavior

...

Steps to Reproduce

User on desktop → closes sidebar manually
localStorage.sidebar = 'false'
User close and reopen website (still desktop mode)
Sidebar remains open

Logs & Screenshots

...

Additional Information

The sidebar initialization and responsive behavior logic has issues that affect user experience in desktop browsers.

46ae3f4f5d/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar.svelte (L352-L397)

Originally created by @yours57 on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/18149 ### Check Existing Issues - [x] I have searched for any existing and/or related issues. - [x] I have searched for any existing and/or related discussions. - [x] I am using the latest version of Open WebUI. ### Installation Method Pip Install ### Open WebUI Version 0.6.33 ### Ollama Version (if applicable) _No response_ ### Operating System ... ### Browser (if applicable) firefox ### Confirmation - [x] I have read and followed all instructions in `README.md`. - [x] I am using the latest version of **both** Open WebUI and Ollama. - [x] I have included the browser console logs. - [x] I have included the Docker container logs. - [x] I have **provided every relevant configuration, setting, and environment variable used in my setup.** - [x] I have clearly **listed every relevant configuration, custom setting, environment variable, and command-line option that influences my setup** (such as Docker Compose overrides, .env values, browser settings, authentication configurations, etc). - [x] I have documented **step-by-step reproduction instructions that are precise, sequential, and leave nothing to interpretation**. My steps: - Start with the initial platform/version/OS and dependencies used, - Specify exact install/launch/configure commands, - List URLs visited, user input (incl. example values/emails/passwords if needed), - Describe all options and toggles enabled or changed, - Include any files or environmental changes, - Identify the expected and actual result at each stage, - Ensure any reasonably skilled user can follow and hit the same issue. ### Expected Behavior ... ### Actual Behavior ... ### Steps to Reproduce User on desktop → closes sidebar manually localStorage.sidebar = 'false' User close and reopen website (still desktop mode) Sidebar remains open ### Logs & Screenshots ... ### Additional Information The sidebar initialization and responsive behavior logic has issues that affect user experience in desktop browsers. https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/blob/46ae3f4f5d7d4d706041bdae4ad2d802e568712b/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar.svelte#L352-L397
GiteaMirror added the bug label 2026-04-25 07:56:47 -05:00
Author
Owner

@i-iooi-i commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025):

Indeed, the sidebar will also automatically activate upon a page refresh.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3381593125 --> @i-iooi-i commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025): Indeed, the sidebar will also automatically activate upon a page refresh.
Author
Owner

@silentoplayz commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025):

I can confirm that I am able to reproduce this issue on the latest dev.

How I reproduced:

  1. Close the chats sidebar using the Close Sidebar button.
  2. Refresh the page.
  3. Observe that the chats sidebar is open again automatically.
<!-- gh-comment-id:3381782145 --> @silentoplayz commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025): I can confirm that I am able to reproduce this issue on the latest `dev`. How I reproduced: 1) Close the chats sidebar using the `Close Sidebar` button. 2) Refresh the page. 3) Observe that the chats sidebar is open again automatically.
Author
Owner

@avesed commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025):

Besides sidebar auto-reopen, every time a chat is deleted, the chat list on the sidebar will disappear.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3382144233 --> @avesed commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025): Besides sidebar auto-reopen, every time a chat is deleted, the chat list on the sidebar will disappear.
Author
Owner

@silentoplayz commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025):

Besides sidebar auto-reopen, every time a chat is deleted, the chat list on the sidebar will disappear.

I'm unable to reproduce this particular issue on the dev branch on both my PC and on my iPhone using Open WebUI as a PWA (Progressive Web App). This issue has been reported in our Discord server within a troubleshooting thread as well. We do appreciate the extra heads up! Here's a link to the troubleshooting thread that was opened up if you're interested or would like to join in on the related troubleshooting thread: https://discord.com/channels/1170866489302188073/1425241239371907152

Our Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/open-webui

Edit: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/18327

<!-- gh-comment-id:3382161146 --> @silentoplayz commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2025): > Besides sidebar auto-reopen, every time a chat is deleted, the chat list on the sidebar will disappear. I'm unable to reproduce this particular issue on the `dev` branch on both my PC and on my iPhone using Open WebUI as a PWA (Progressive Web App). This issue has been reported in our Discord server within a troubleshooting thread as well. We do appreciate the extra heads up! Here's a link to the troubleshooting thread that was opened up if you're interested or would like to join in on the related troubleshooting thread: **https://discord.com/channels/1170866489302188073/1425241239371907152** Our Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/open-webui Edit: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/18327
Author
Owner

@tjbck commented on GitHub (Oct 29, 2025):

292be82754, testing wanted here!

<!-- gh-comment-id:3459182489 --> @tjbck commented on GitHub (Oct 29, 2025): 292be82754136cc10fcd2707d78a2edfec6764d0, testing wanted here!
Author
Owner

@silentoplayz commented on GitHub (Oct 29, 2025):

292be82, testing wanted here!

Tested by me and confirmed to be working for remembering the expanded/collapsed state of the Chats Sidebar on Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3459241926 --> @silentoplayz commented on GitHub (Oct 29, 2025): > [292be82](https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/commit/292be82754136cc10fcd2707d78a2edfec6764d0), testing wanted here! Tested by me and confirmed to be working for remembering the expanded/collapsed state of the Chats Sidebar on Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
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Reference: github-starred/open-webui#34042