Nemo hangs/fails to load subdirectories on NAS (SMB/GVFS) while other file manager, (Dolphin) work fine
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- C
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Description
Distribution
Desktop: Cinnamon v: 6.6.7 Distro: Linux Mint 22.3 Zena
Package version
nemo 6.6.3
Frequency
Always
Bug description
Nemo fails to recognise that directories on an SMB share contain sub-folders/files, resulting in the absence of expansion arrows in List View. The folder structure appears "flat" and empty until a folder is manually double-clicked/opened. Additionally, clicking "Refresh" causes any currently expanded folder structure to collapse, as Nemo loses its awareness of the sub-directory tree.
- Environment
OS: Kernel: 6.17.0-23-generic arch: x86_64 bits: 64 Desktop: Cinnamon v: 6.6.7 Distro: Linux Mint 22.3 Zena
Nemo Version: nemo 6.6.3
Connection: SMB/CIFS mounted via GVFS
View Mode: List View with "Show folder expanders" enabled.
Steps to reproduce
Navigate to a large directory on an SMB share (e.g., a NAS).
Observe the directory list. Subfolders that contain data do not show an expansion arrow (denoting they are empty).
Manually double-click a subfolder to enter it.
Navigate back to the parent folder; only then does that specific subfolder show an expansion arrow or contents.
Click the Refresh button in Nemo.
Observe that all previously manually-opened structures collapse entirely.
Expected behavior
Nemo should automatically query the sub-directory status (metadata) upon entering a parent directory. Expansion arrows should be visible for all folders containing items, and the expanded state should persist across refreshes.
Actual Result
Nemo treats sub-directories as "empty" (no expansion arrows) until a manual entry is performed. The metadata is not being polled or cached correctly for the tree view. Refreshing the view clears Nemo's temporary "memory" of the directory structure, causing a full collapse.
Additional information
To view the recording of the bug, you can view the video in your browser with this link;
https://pooky-pics.duckdns.org:30672/Nemo_File_Error.mp4
Contributor guide
No contributing guide indexed for this repository
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start by reproducing the issue in Nemo 6.6.3 with an SMB/CIFS share mounted through GVFS, using List View and folder expanders enabled. Inspect how subdirectory status is obtained and how the tree is rebuilt on Refresh; done means populated folders show expansion arrows on entry and expanded state persists after refreshing.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- c, linux
- Domain
- desktop, networking
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 45/100