How can I fix the error messages that are appearing when I try to gate a piece of content on my Webflow page preview?
TL;DR
- Test gated content on the published site, not Designer Preview, as preview mode doesn't simulate logged-in states.
- Verify membership settings, access group permissions, and custom code functionality; use browser console to debug any script or loading errors.
If you're seeing error messages when gating content in Webflow's page preview, it's likely due to missing or misconfigured CMS logic, memberships settings, or custom code. Here's how to fix it.
1. Check Memberships or Logic-Based Visibility
- Gating content requires Webflow Memberships (or third-party tools). If you're using conditional visibility based on login status, make sure you're logged in (in preview mode, test in the Published Site, not Designer Preview).
- Webflow’s Preview mode does not simulate logged-in states, so gated content using visibility logic like "Current User is Logged In" won't work there.
2. Use the Published Site for Testing
- Webflow Designer Preview can't process some Memberships logic or gated content.
- Publish the site using the Publish button and view it on your actual domain or staging URL (e.g., yoursite.webflow.io) to test user gating.
3. Check Custom Code Blocks
- If your content gating involves custom JavaScript or embeds linked to external services (like Outseta, Memberstack, Firebase), errors may appear if:
- You’re missing required scripts or API keys
- The code is referencing elements that don’t load in Designer Preview
- Publish and test in a live environment to check for full functionality.
4. Inspect Console Errors
- In the published site, right-click and choose Inspect → go to the Console tab.
- Look for:
- 404 errors (missing files/scripts)
- Uncaught errors from third-party scripts
- CORS issues if you're loading gated content from a remote source
5. Check Page Settings and User Roles
- Ensure the gated page or section is not requiring access beyond default permissions (e.g., "Members only") unless your test user has that access.
- In Membership Settings, verify that the correct Access Groups are assigned properly to the content.
6. Disable Auto Preview for Troubleshooting
- Sometimes Webflow auto-preview triggers issues — try disabling/limiting dynamic interactions temporarily to isolate problems.
- Static test content can help you confirm whether logic/rules are the source of the error.
Summary
Webflow’s Designer preview doesn’t fully support gated content. To resolve errors, always test on the published site, verify membership access logic, and check for issues in any custom code or failed web requests in the browser console.