Fix missing or null auth sessions in Supabase
A missing auth session means getSession() or getUser() returns null when you expect an authenticated user. This is often caused by incorrect client initialization, missing cookies, or token refresh failures.
Error messages you might see
AuthSessionMissingError: Auth session missing!AuthApiError: invalid claim: missing sub claimWhy this happens in AI-generated code
Using the wrong Supabase client for the context
AI-generated code uses createClient() on the server without cookie handling, when it should use createServerClient() with cookie adapters to access the auth session.
Session cookies not being forwarded
AI tools don't always configure middleware to refresh and forward Supabase auth cookies on every request, causing sessions to expire between page navigations.
Token refresh race condition
AI-generated auth flows don't handle the async nature of token refresh, so components try to read the session before the refresh completes.
How to fix it
Use the correct Supabase client for your runtime
Use createBrowserClient() on the client, createServerClient() in server components and route handlers, and ensure middleware refreshes the session on every request.
Set up Supabase auth middleware correctly
Create a middleware.ts that calls supabase.auth.getUser() on every request to refresh the session cookie. Follow the official Supabase + Next.js guide.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between getSession() and getUser()?
getSession() reads the session from local storage/cookies without validation. getUser() makes an API call to verify the token with Supabase. Always use getUser() on the server for security.
Why does my session disappear after page refresh?
Your middleware likely isn't refreshing the auth cookie. Supabase sessions use short-lived JWTs that must be refreshed on each request. Without proper middleware, the cookie expires.
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