A build function returned null,The offending widget is: BlocBuilder<NotificationBloc, NotificationState> in flutter_bloc package

Issue

I am a beginner in flutter as well as in flutter_bloc where i’m trying to get the widget in blocbuilder but getting the “A build function returned null. The offending widget is:BlocBuilder. Build functions must never return null.” Below is the bloc code and also the null error which is from console.

        Column(
          children: <Widget>[
            Container(
              color: Colors.white,
              child: BlocListener<NotificationBloc, NotificationState>(
                listener: (context, state) {
                },
                child: BlocBuilder<NotificationBloc, NotificationState>(
                  builder: (context, state) {
                    if (state is NotificationLoadedState) {
                      return NotificationIconBuild();
                    }
                  },
                ),
              ),
            )
          ],
        )
  Widget NotificationIconBuild() {
    return Column(
      children: <Widget>[
        IconButton(
          icon: Icon(Icons.notifications),
          onPressed: () {},
        ),
        IconButton(
          icon: Icon(Icons.notifications),
          onPressed: () {},
        ),])}

Error from console log

I/flutter (13632): ══╡ EXCEPTION CAUGHT BY WIDGETS LIBRARY ╞═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
I/flutter (13632): The following assertion was thrown building BlocBuilder<NotificationBloc, NotificationState>(dirty,
I/flutter (13632): state: _BlocBuilderBaseState<NotificationBloc, NotificationState>#7fa62):
I/flutter (13632): A build function returned null.
I/flutter (13632): The offending widget is:
I/flutter (13632):   BlocBuilder<NotificationBloc, NotificationState>
I/flutter (13632): Build functions must never return null.
I/flutter (13632): To return an empty space that causes the building widget to fill available room, return
I/flutter (13632): "Container()". To return an empty space that takes as little room as possible, return
I/flutter (13632): "Container(width: 0.0, height: 0.0)".
I/flutter (13632): 
I/flutter (13632): The relevant error-causing widget was:
I/flutter (13632):   BlocBuilder<NotificationBloc, NotificationState>
I/flutter (13632):   file:///C:/Users/Nabil/AndroidStudioProjects/flutter_save/lib/home_page.dart:77:24

Solution

That happens because you only specify one if condition for your state which is NotificationLoadedState. Your Bloc must have tried to build other state which is not specified therefore resulting BlocBuilder returning null.

For quick fix, you can just change your BlocBuilder to something like this for now.

                child: BlocBuilder<NotificationBloc, NotificationState>(
                  builder: (context, state) {
                    if (state is NotificationLoadedState) {
                      return NotificationIconBuild();
                    } else {
                      return Container();,
                    }
                  },
                ),

Answered By – Federick Jonathan

Answer Checked By – Clifford M. (FlutterFixes Volunteer)