Documentation: Client Response Gallery
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Troubleshooting
A gallery isn't visible on the site
Check that the gallery's Status is set to Published under Components > Client Response Gallery > Galleries. If the gallery has a password, visitors need to enter it before the gallery content is shown, that's expected behaviour, not a bug.
The gallery password field shows a long string of characters
That is the stored password, and it is meant to look like that. As of version 1.2.3 gallery passwords are stored scrambled, so a database dump or a backup no longer hands out access to every protected gallery. The consequence is that you cannot read a password back after saving it: write it down when you hand it to your client. To change the password, type the new one over the value in the field and save.
A client has to enter the gallery password again
As of version 1.2.3 an unlocked gallery is remembered on the server for the length of the visitor's browser session, instead of in a cookie that lasts for days. Closing the browser ends that session, so the password is asked again on the next visit. This is what makes the password protection actually hold: the old cookie could be set by the visitor themselves. The Cookie Duration (Days) setting under Advanced options now only applies to the favorites cookie.
Watermark, resizing or quality settings aren't applied to a photo
These settings only apply to photos added through Batch Upload (in the backend or via the API). Photos added by FTP, the Joomla media manager, or the one-by-one New photo screen skip this processing entirely, see "Upload Your Photos" for the full list of upload methods and what each one does.
The client or photographer didn't receive a confirmation email
Check that Send Client Email and/or Send Photographer Email are enabled under Mail options. Also check the receiving mailbox's spam folder, and confirm your Joomla site's mail configuration (System > Global Configuration > Server) is set up correctly, since this component uses Joomla's own mail settings.
The ZIP download link doesn't appear
The ZIP link on the thank-you page and in emails only appears when Create selection ZIP is enabled under Selection options, and the corresponding "Include ZIP link" switch is enabled for that page or email.
The API returns 401 Unauthorized
Check that an API key is generated under Components > Client Response Gallery > Options > API, and that the exact key is sent in the X-API-Key request header, with no extra spaces. See "API Documentation" for the full reference.
The API returns a short error without any detail
As of version 1.2.3 the API answers with a short message such as Database error instead of the internal technical text, which used to expose table and column names to anyone calling the endpoint. The full detail is written to the Joomla log, so look there when you need to know what actually went wrong.
The Lightroom plugin can't load galleries
Verify the Server URL includes the protocol (`https://` or `http://`), that your Joomla site is reachable from the machine running Lightroom, and that the API key matches exactly. See "Adobe Lightroom Plugin" for the full troubleshooting list.
A selection warning message isn't showing
Check the Minimum Photos or Maximum Photos value is not set to 0 (0 disables that warning) under Selection options, and check the Warning message position setting includes the location you're expecting it in.
FAQ
Do I need a Download Key?
A Download Key is only needed for the PRO version, to enable automatic updates. See "Download Key" for how to find yours.
Can I password-protect a gallery?
Yes. Set a Password when creating or editing a gallery. Visitors need to enter it before they can view the gallery. Leave the field empty to make the gallery open to everyone. The password is stored scrambled and the unlock is kept on the server for the visitor's session, so note the password down when you set it: you cannot read it back later.
Does the password also protect the photo files themselves?
Not on its own. Photo files are served straight from the images folder, so someone who knows the address of a photo can open it without ever seeing the gallery page. That is why a gallery created in version 1.2.3 or later stores its photos in a folder with a random suffix, which makes that address impractical to guess. Galleries created before 1.2.3 keep their existing folder. See "Upload Your Photos" for the details and for what happens with imported photos.
Can I limit how many photos a client selects?
Yes, under Selection options (global) or per gallery under Gallery Selection options. Set Minimum and/or Maximum Photos, with custom warning messages using the {min}/{max} placeholders.
What happens to photo files when I delete a gallery?
That depends on the Delete Files with Gallery and Delete Folder with Gallery switches under Advanced options. Both default to disabled, so files are kept on the server unless you turn them on.
Can I import photos directly from Adobe Lightroom?
Yes, using the dedicated Lightroom Classic export plugin. See "Adobe Lightroom Plugin" for setup and "API Documentation" for the underlying API it uses.
Can I customize the confirmation and notification emails?
Yes. Both the client thank you email and the photographer notification email have editable subject and body templates under Mail options, with placeholders for the gallery title, client details and selected photos.