Typo3 V13: Fluid Template Loading Errors With Ws_slider

Experiencing a frustrating "Fluid template empty could not be loaded" error after upgrading to Typo3 v13 and the latest ws_slider version (13.2.2)? You're not alone! This common hiccup seems to be affecting new pages with sliders created post-upgrade, while older pages remain perfectly functional. Let's dive into why this might be happening and explore some potential solutions.

Understanding the "Fluid Template Empty Could Not Be Loaded" Error

The core of this issue lies in how Typo3, specifically with version 13, handles its templating engine, Fluid. Fluid is a powerful templating system that allows developers to separate presentation logic from application logic, making websites more organized and maintainable. When you encounter the "Fluid template empty could not be loaded" error, it essentially means that Typo3 cannot find or access the necessary template files that define how your slider should look and behave. The error message specifically points to paths within vendor/wapplersystems/ws-slider/Resources/Private/Partials/ and vendor/typo3/cms-fluid-styled-content/Resources/Private/Partials/. This suggests that either the ws_slider extension, the core Fluid Styled Content extension, or the way they are interacting with Typo3 v13's file structure is causing a breakdown in locating these crucial template files. It's important to note that this is happening on new pages, which indicates a potential issue with the initial setup or configuration of these new pages and their associated content elements, rather than a problem with the existing, working sliders. The fact that only Slick is being used and default values are set in your site package simplifies the landscape, but doesn't immediately point to a configuration conflict there. The upgrade to Typo3 v13 itself is the most significant change, and v13 often brings architectural shifts that can impact how extensions integrate and access their resources. We need to consider how Typo3 v13's file structure, dependency management, and Fluid integration might differ from previous versions, and how this could affect the path resolution for the ws_slider templates. The error message is quite specific about the missing partials, so our troubleshooting will likely involve verifying the existence and accessibility of these files and directories within your Typo3 installation.

Potential Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

Given that this issue emerged specifically after upgrading to Typo3 v13 and ws_slider 13.2.2, we can narrow down the potential causes. The most likely culprit is a change in how Typo3 v13 manages extension resources and template paths, or a compatibility issue between ws_slider 13.2.2 and the new Typo3 version. Let's explore some systematic troubleshooting steps:

1. Clear Typo3 Cache

This is the golden rule of web development troubleshooting. Whenever you make changes, upgrade extensions, or encounter unexpected behavior, the first and simplest step is always to clear Typo3's cache. Sometimes, outdated cache entries can point to non-existent files or configurations.

• How to do it: Log in to your Typo3 backend. Navigate to the System module, then Maintenance. You'll find options to clear various caches. Select All Caches and click Clear cache.
• Why it helps: This forces Typo3 to re-read all configuration files, extension resources, and templates, ensuring it's working with the most up-to-date information.

2. Verify Extension Compatibility and Installation

Although you've upgraded ws_slider to the latest version, it's worth double-checking its compatibility with Typo3 v13. Sometimes, even the latest versions might have minor issues with brand-new major releases.

• Check Extension Manager: Go to Extensions in the Typo3 backend. Ensure that ws_slider is listed and shows a status of