How can I resolve the error message "we couldn't delete these items as they still referenced in the blog posts collection" in Webflow when the blog posts have already been deleted?

Published on
September 22, 2023

To resolve the error message "we couldn't delete these items as they are still referenced in the blog posts collection" in Webflow when the blog posts have already been deleted, you can follow these steps:

  1. Refresh the editor: Sometimes, the error message may appear due to a temporary issue or caching problem. Refreshing the editor can often resolve this issue. Simply click on the refresh button in your browser or press the F5 key.

  2. Check unpublished items: Make sure to check if there are any unpublished blog posts still present in your Webflow project. Even if the blog posts have been deleted, they may still exist in an unpublished state. Navigate to your CMS Collections in the Webflow Editor and check if there are any unpublished blog posts. If you find any, delete them.

  3. Delete the references: If the error message persists, it may indicate that there are references to the deleted blog posts within your Webflow project. These references can be in the form of links, fields, or relationships in other CMS Collections. Here's how you can delete these references:

  • Open your CMS Collections in the Webflow Editor.
  • Identify the Collection(s) that have references to the deleted blog posts.
  • Edit each item in those Collections and remove any references to the deleted blog posts.
  • Save the changes after removing the references.
  • Try deleting the blog posts again.
  1. Contact Webflow support: If the error message continues to appear even after following the above steps, it may indicate a more complex issue with your Webflow project. In such cases, it's best to reach out to Webflow support for further assistance. They have a team of experts who can help you troubleshoot the problem and find a solution specific to your project.

  2. Clear browser cache: Sometimes, clearing your browser's cache and cookies can resolve issues related to caching. To clear your browser cache, go to your browser's settings or preferences, find the option to clear cache, and follow the instructions. Once cleared, try deleting the blog posts again.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error message "we couldn't delete these items as they are still referenced in the blog posts collection" in Webflow when the blog posts have already been deleted.

Additional questions:

  1. How can I delete unpublished blog posts in Webflow?
  2. What should I do if I encounter errors while deleting CMS items in Webflow?
  3. How can I troubleshoot issues related to caching in Webflow?