Session
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Session Store Not Set on Request in Laravel - Fix
This error occurs when trying to access session data before the session middleware has initialized.
The Error
Error Message
Session store not set on requestCommon Causes
- 1 Route not using web middleware group
- 2 Accessing session in service provider boot
- 3 API route trying to use session
- 4 Custom middleware running before session starts
Solutions
1
Ensure route uses web middleware
PHP
// In routes/web.php (has web middleware by default)
Route::get('/dashboard', [DashboardController::class, 'index']);
// Or explicitly add middleware
Route::middleware(['web'])->group(function () {
Route::get('/profile', [ProfileController::class, 'show']);
});
2
For API routes needing sessions
PHP
// If you need sessions in API routes
// In app/Http/Kernel.php, add to 'api' middleware group:
'api' => [
\Illuminate\Session\Middleware\StartSession::class,
// ... other middleware
],
3
Don't access session in service providers
PHP
// Wrong - session not available in boot()
public function boot()
{
$user = session('user'); // Error!
}
// Right - use middleware or controller instead
// Or defer using a callback
$this->app->booted(function () {
// Session available here after full boot
});
4
Check middleware order
PHP
// In Kernel.php, ensure StartSession is early
protected $middlewareGroups = [
'web' => [
\Illuminate\Cookie\Middleware\EncryptCookies::class,
\Illuminate\Cookie\Middleware\AddQueuedCookiesToResponse::class,
\Illuminate\Session\Middleware\StartSession::class, // Must be before auth
\Illuminate\View\Middleware\ShareErrorsFromSession::class,
// ...
],
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