`scene:show` not firing after first time using `composer.gotoScene()`

Games
#1

Hi everyone,

I’m encountering a strange issue with Composer scene transitions in Solar2D.

I’m navigating to a scene called "sceneSalaEspera" using:

composer.removeHidden()
composer.gotoScene("sceneSalaEspera", "fade", 200)

What works:

  • The first time I go to the scene, both scene:create() and scene:show() are triggered correctly.
  • The log output looks like this:
20250417-22:44:55>>> INFO - sceneSalaEspera - create - create - event:  - {"name":"create"}
20250417-22:44:55>>> INFO - sceneSalaEspera - show - show - event:  - {"name":"show","phase":"will"}
20250417-22:44:55>>> INFO - sceneSalaEspera - show - show - event:  - {"name":"show","phase":"did"}

The issue:

  • On subsequent visits to the scene, only scene:create() is triggered.
  • scene:show() is never called.
  • The log output for the second call is:
20250417-22:45:45>>> INFO - sceneSalaEspera - create - create - event:  - {"name":"create"}

So far I’ve made sure that:

  • The scene is not currently visible.
  • composer.removeHidden() is called before gotoScene, to force a clean load.

Scene code:

Here’s how the scene is defined:

-- create()
function scene:create( event )
    utils:log("INFO","sceneSalaEspera", "create", "create - event: ", event)

    local pantallaSalaEsperaGroup = self.view
    pantallaSalaEsperaGroup.background = display.newImageRect( pantallaSalaEsperaGroup, "fondoVerd.png", 694, 360 )
    pantallaSalaEsperaGroup.background.x = _W
    pantallaSalaEsperaGroup.background.y = _H
end

-- show()
function scene:show( event )
    utils:log("INFO","sceneSalaEspera", "show", "show - event: ", event)

    local pantallaSalaEsperaGroup = self.view
    local phase = event.phase

    if ( phase == "will" ) then
        pantallaSalaEsperaGroup.pantallaSalaEsperaText = display.newText(
            pantallaSalaEsperaGroup,
            "Esperant als rivals...",
            _W,
            _H - 30,
            native.systemFont,
            20
        )

    elseif ( phase == "did" ) then
        -- Code here runs when the scene is entirely on screen
    end
end

Question:

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there something I’m missing about how Composer handles the scene lifecycle after the first visit?

Any tips would be very appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance!

#2

I think the scene must be removed to trigger show event again

removeScene

#3

Hello Jordi74,

Welcome of the Solar2D community! I would agree with you on removing hidden scene before gotoScene, but I am not able to see where the problem lie.

I have attached here an example, originally shared by “bgmadclown”, with slight modification. The example only includes 3 lua files, main, game scene and a transition scene. You may want to take a look on the lifecycle change of the scenes in this example.
example.zip (1.8 KB)

I hope this helps. Thank you.

1 Like
#4

Hi @Jordi74 , welcome!

Since I don’t have a sample code, I’m not entirely sure but I believe your use of composer.removeHidden() might be causing the issue.
I’d suggest using composer.removeHidden() right after you load the new scene so it " Removes or recycles all scenes except for the currently active scene.", instead of using it before composer.goToScene(). See Scene Management:

Here is a sample code:

function scene:show( event )
    local phase = event.phase

    if ( phase == "will" ) then

    elseif ( phase == "did" ) then
        -- THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART
        -- New scene is loaded so I can now safely remove inactive scenes
        composer.removeHidden()

        -- Do stuff
    end
end

Can you try it and tell if it works?

#5

Hi everyone,

Thanks a lot for all your help and suggestions! After reviewing the scene flow and applying the recommendations—especially those regarding composer.removeHidden() and understanding how overlays affect the scene lifecycle—everything is now working as expected.

I really appreciate the detailed explanations and the support from the community. :raised_hands:

Cheers!

Jordi

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