Bubble App Developer Fix: Broken Expressions Causing Editor Freezes

Bubble.io has quickly risen as one of the most powerful no-code platforms for building web applications without traditional coding. Its visual editor, workflows, and plugin ecosystem empower entrepreneurs, startups, and developers to turn ideas into scalable applications. However, like any development tool, Bubble comes with quirks and challenges that can frustrate even experienced builders. One of the most common and dreaded issues is broken expressions that cause the Bubble editor to hang or freeze.

For a Bubble app developer, this issue can feel like hitting a wall right in the middle of productivity. Whether you’re working on a client project or your own SaaS product, every second counts—and a frozen editor is both disruptive and demoralizing. In this article, we’ll dive into why this problem occurs, what causes broken expressions, and most importantly, how Bubble app developers can fix and prevent it.

What Are Broken Expressions in Bubble?

In Bubble, “expressions” are the building blocks of dynamic data. These are the formulas, conditions, and references you set up in text fields, inputs, conditionals, workflows, and database operations. For example:

• Displaying a user’s name: Current User’s First Name
• Showing dynamic prices: Product’s Price formatted as currency
• Filtering lists: Search for Orders:filtered

A broken expression occurs when Bubble cannot resolve or interpret the dynamic data properly. This might happen when:

1. A database field referenced in the expression no longer exists.
2. A plugin or API element returns unexpected data.
3. There’s a circular reference (where an element depends on itself).
4. Syntax errors or mismatched data types occur.

When these broken expressions pile up, the Bubble editor may struggle to render previews, load the page editor, or even allow you to click into workflows. For a Bubble app developer, this can completely halt progress.

Why Does the Bubble Editor Freeze?

The editor freeze issue happens because Bubble is trying to interpret and render invalid or incomplete data in real time. Think of it like a spreadsheet where one formula references a deleted cell—Excel may throw an error, but Bubble sometimes tries to reprocess continuously, leading to performance bottlenecks.

Key causes include:

• Complex dynamic data chains: When multiple nested “Do a Search for” queries rely on each other.
• Deleted database fields: Old references that remain in text boxes or workflows.
• Heavy expressions in repeating groups: Overloaded with dynamic filters and constraints.
• Buggy plugin references: Third-party elements that break after updates.

For a Bubble app developer, recognizing these root causes early can save hours of debugging.

Common Scenarios Where Broken Expressions Appear

1. Deleted Fields Still in Use
   Imagine you delete a field called “Phone Number” from your User table, but you still have text elements or workflows referencing it. Bubble tries to resolve the missing field, leading to broken logic.
2. Circular Logic
   Example: A group element is set to display “Parent group’s data” but the parent itself relies on the child element’s state. This creates an infinite loop.
3. Over-Nested Expressions
   Too many layers of “Search for X:filtered:sorted” can not only slow performance but also freeze the editor if one reference goes missing.
4. Conditional Expressions Gone Wrong
   A conditional formatting rule tied to an invalid data source may cause Bubble to endlessly load.
5. Third-Party Plugin Updates
   Sometimes a plugin changes the way it returns data, and old expressions no longer match the expected format.

Step-by-Step Fix for Bubble App Developers

If you’re facing editor freezes due to broken expressions, here’s a practical troubleshooting guide:

1. Identify the Broken Expression

• Open the issue checker (top right corner of the editor).
• Look for red warnings like “This expression is invalid.”
• If the editor is fully frozen, try opening the page in safe mode (add ?debug_mode=true to your app’s preview URL).

2. Remove or Replace Invalid Fields

• Go through elements that display dynamic data.
• Replace missing fields with valid database references.
• If unsure, temporarily remove the expression to restore editor performance.

3. Simplify Complex Chains

• Instead of stacking multiple :filtered or :sorted operations, consider creating backend workflows to pre-process data.
• Save results into custom states to reduce real-time calculations.

4. Audit Plugin Dependencies

• Disable recently added or updated plugins.
• Test whether removing the plugin resolves freezes.
• If yes, report the issue to the plugin developer.

5. Use Bubble’s Debugger

• Enable Step-by-Step Debugger to trace the problematic workflow.
• Check which expression breaks during execution.

6. Optimize Database Design

• Use properly indexed searches.
• Break large expressions into smaller, reusable custom states or database fields.

Preventing Broken Expressions in the Future

A professional Bubble app developer doesn’t just fix issues—they prevent them. Here are some best practices:

1. Document Database Changes
   Always keep track of field deletions. If working in a team, communicate changes before removing or renaming fields.
2. Use Reusable Elements
   Instead of recreating logic in multiple places, use reusable elements. This minimizes the number of expressions you’ll need to update when making changes.
3. Modular Workflows
   Break down large workflows into smaller, manageable pieces. This makes debugging simpler.
4. Test with Dummy Data
   Before pushing to production, test with various data inputs to ensure all expressions resolve correctly.
5. Regularly Run Issue Checker
   Don’t wait until your app crashes. Use the issue checker frequently to catch problems early.

The Role of a Bubble App Developer in Handling These Issues

For businesses building on Bubble, hiring a Bubble app developer can be the difference between a smooth-running app and constant frustration. Here’s why:

• Expertise in Debugging: Developers know where to look when expressions break.
• Database Structuring: A developer ensures your data design reduces the chance of broken references.
• Workflow Optimization: They can simplify complex chains into efficient, backend-driven processes.
• Plugin Management: Developers understand plugin risks and maintain stability when updates occur.
• Scalability Awareness: They prevent small issues from becoming big problems as the app grows.

Whether you’re a startup founder or a company migrating processes online, partnering with an experienced Bubble app developer ensures your project avoids common pitfalls like editor freezes.

Real-World Example

A SaaS startup once faced constant editor crashes while trying to build a subscription system. Their issue stemmed from overcomplicated pricing logic nested in repeating groups. By bringing in a Bubble app developer, they were able to:

• Break down calculations into backend workflows.
• Store pre-processed subscription values in custom fields.
• Simplify UI elements to reference these fields directly.

Result? The editor stopped freezing, the app loaded faster, and the team could scale confidently.

Tools & Plugins to Help Avoid Expression Errors

1. Bubble Issue Checker – Always your first line of defense.
2. List Shifter Plugin – Helps handle complex list operations more efficiently.
3. Bdk Utilities – Offers advanced controls for debugging and workflows.
4. Logging Workflows – Custom logging ensures you catch failures early.

These tools, combined with good development practices, make a Bubble app developer’s workflow much smoother.

Final Thoughts

Broken expressions are one of the trickiest challenges in Bubble.io, often causing the dreaded editor freeze. While these issues are frustrating, they are not insurmountable. By understanding why they occur, following a systematic debugging process, and applying preventative best practices, you can keep your Bubble projects running smoothly.

For non-technical founders, hiring a Bubble app developer is a wise move. They not only fix immediate issues but also build robust apps that scale without breaking. Remember, every broken expression is a learning opportunity to refine your workflow, database design, and development habits.

In the fast-paced world of no-code development, efficiency matters. With the right strategies and the support of skilled Bubble app developers, you can overcome broken expressions, avoid editor freezes, and focus on what really counts—building apps that solve real problems.