Menu issue with Category, SUB-Category and SUB-SUB-category

[Chadduck]

I am at a loss.  I apologize in advance for this explanation being so lengthy and so detailed but I thought it should be. 

I have created a menu for the primary categories without diplaying any subcategories.  HOWEVER, for explanation sake, I created a condensed menu and have shown it (as well as the ultimate desired menu).

Because of what we are, we support ALL of the United States military branches.  Due to this, many of our PRIMARY categories have SUB-categories bearing the SAME name (e.g. Army, Air Force, Marine, etc.) These SUB-Categories then SHOULD go to different SUB-SUB-categories.  HOWEVER, that's the problem - they DO NOT.

ON THE FRONTEND - 

The SUB-SUB-categories, regardless of the SUB-Category, for each service display the SAME page.  An example - the sub-sub-category for the Air Force under EVERY sub-category loads and displays the category items for Air Force Lapel Pins.  Although the other services do the same thing they do go to different pages.  The Army SUB-SUB-category goes to a different page BUT selecting any Army SUB-SUB-category takes the user to the SAME page.

IF I search for a specific SKU the item is found and when loaded - the breadcrumbs indicate the item in the correct SUB-SUB-category.

LICENSE FRAME, AIR FORCE DAD
Model: LFAF-03 

Breadcrumb SHOWS
Automobile Accessories / Air Force / License Frame, Air Force Dad

------------------

440 AW AIR FORCE RESERVE DECAL
Model: D183-AF

Breadcrumb SHOWS
Decals-Bumper Stickers / Air Force / 440 AW Air Force Reserve Decal

------------------

U.S. AIR FORCE (LARGE) PIN
Model: PI3629

Breadcrumb SHOWS
Lapel Pins / Air Force / U.S. Air Force (Large) Pin

BUT clicking the Menu SUB-SUB-category it ALWAYS loads and  displays the items in the Lapel pin category. YET the search breadcrumbs show the correct SKU location.  If the SUB-category shown in the breadcrumbs is clicked it also goes to the same page as if I clicked on the SUB-category (Air Force in this case) from the SUB-Category pages and displays the same erroneous page. 

IN THE BACKEND -

Going to the Product category actually displays the CORRECT items belonging in the category.  In other words Air Force License Plates has the license plates for the Air Force. 

Thinking it was a case that during import the items got crossed up and placed in the wrong SUB-SUB-category, I checked that.  

lapel pins -> air force
admin/categories/categoryedit?categories_id=178

license plates -> air force
admin/categories/categoryedit?categories_id=316

So it is not the categories ID causing the issue.

I have attached images to aid in understanding what I am seeing (both in the FRONT END and in the BACKEND when looking at the SUBSUB-catgories.

I AM BEWILDERED.

I am open to suggestions, recommendations and willing to try just about anything.

BJ

Edited August 2, 2023 by Chadduck

[pandrei]

14 hours ago, Chadduck said:

I have created a menu for the primary categories without diplaying any subcategories.

You can do it in two ways:

1. Turn off SHOW SUB CATEGORY switch in Admin->Design and CMD->Menu

2. Set Limit levels field in Menu Properties

[Chadduck]

@pandrei

Thank you for the insight.  I was unaware of the second method which is easier than the first as it still shows the Subs in the menu.

BJ

[Chadduck]

I discovered a RESOLUTION to my quandry over the SUB-category and SUB-SUB-category displaying the wrong products.

I had to create a NEW category and move the items from the "bad" category to the new category and they now correctly display.

[jimdanforth]

I ran into this a while back. Mine was related to the SEO tab on categories and products being the same.

[Chadduck]

@jimdanforth

If you have the time could you expound on your explanation?  Because truthfully creating a new category, then moving the individual products to the new category is a real pain in the ___ not to mention I have a multitude to do that way.

SO, your guidance and direction would definitely be a boost to my morale, not to mention a time saver.

BJ

[jimdanforth]

this may help:

If the SEO (and therefore url) is the same, its unpredictable which category the front end will show.  I found ti dealing with the breadcrumb menu but they fixed that problem.

 

 

[Chadduck]

1 hour ago, jimdanforth said:

Mine was related to the SEO tab on categories and products being the same.

@jimdanforth

THANK YOU

IF I could reach out shake hand through the computer I would!!!  

I figured out what you meant and I am so GRATEFUL!!! i have only corrected a single category but checking it indicates that your explanation has solved a big headache!!

BJ

[Chadduck]

RESOLVED

IF you experience this issue follow the solution given by @jimdanforth as it solved it for me!

BJ

[jimdanforth]

Glad I could help.  Drove my nuts finding it.  Most of the problems I have found are requiring an updated release to fix.  I guess Im pushing the system hard