On a one-page site using HTML, Tailwind, and vanilla JS, navbar clicks intermittently fail to trigger smooth scrolling.
<ul class='nav'>
<li><a onclick="shiftTo('sectionA')">Section A</a></li>
</ul>
function shiftTo(selector) {
const target = document.querySelector(selector);
target.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' });
}
I have encountered a similar issue on a project where determining the correct timing of the scroll was crucial. In my case, adjusting when and how the scroll function was invoked helped smooth out the erratic behavior. Instead of calling scrollIntoView directly inside the click event, I wrapped it in a requestAnimationFrame callback to ensure proper execution after any layout updates. This approach also verifies that the target element is fully rendered before scrolling. Experimenting with slight delays and verifying selector matches turned out to be effective for my situation.
In my experience with similar behavior on one-page sites, I discovered that ensuring the destination element was fully rendered before calling scrollIntoView made a significant difference. I opted to use a brief setTimeout delay, which allowed the browser to update layouts completely before initiating the scroll. This method proved reliable and helped mitigate inconsistent performance during rapid interactions. Additionally, verifying that the target element was present and not being influenced by any concurrent animations or transitions enhanced the overall robustness of the implementation.
hey all, i resolved it by using a mutation observer to trigger scroll once the element was fully updated. works even when render timing is off. sometimes css scroll-behaviour makes things simpler too, if your design allows it.
In my experience, intermittent scrolling issues can sometimes be traced back to how browsers handle reflow and rendering. I solved a similar problem by forcing a reflow before triggering scrollIntoView. I did this by reading a computed property of the element (like its offsetTop or offsetHeight) immediately prior to scrolling. This simple action ensured the browser had updated its layout and led to more consistent behavior. I also made sure to validate that no CSS transitions or flex adjustments interfered with the element’s final position prior to scrolling.