Fixing The Obsidian Task List Kanban 'Done' Column Bug

Nov 7, 2025 by Admin 55 views

Hey guys! Ever been frustrated when your tasks in Obsidian's Task List Kanban board just won't stay put in the Done column? You drag them over, expecting that sweet, sweet feeling of completion, only to see them mysteriously vanish into the Uncategorized abyss? Yeah, I feel you. This is a common issue, and we're gonna dive deep into how to fix it. Let's get started.

The Problem: Tasks Vanishing to Uncategorized

So, the deal is this: you're using Obsidian, likely with the Task List Kanban plugin, and you've got your columns set up: Todo, Doing, Waiting, and of course, Done. You create a task, like "Finish that report", and you drag it across your board as you progress. The moment of truth arrives, you drag that bad boy into Done, ready to bask in the glory of a completed task...but poof! Instead of staying put and getting that satisfying checkmark, it jumps ship and lands in Uncategorized. Talk about a buzzkill, right?

This is the core issue that we're addressing here. The task is losing its association with the Done column and, because it's not being recognized as complete, it's being tossed into the default Uncategorized section. This can be super annoying and disrupts the whole flow of your workflow. We'll explore the causes and offer solutions so you can get back to managing your tasks with ease.

Let's break down the scenario a bit more to see what's happening. When you drag a task to the Done column, the plugin is supposed to recognize it as finished and visually mark it as such (usually with a checked checkbox [x]). But, for some reason, the plugin isn't always registering that move correctly. This could be due to a few things, like how the plugin interacts with your markdown, how it recognizes the "done" state, or even some settings that might need adjusting. Whatever the cause, it's messing with your workflow, and we're here to fix it!

Steps to Reproduce the Bug

To really understand the issue, it helps to walk through the exact steps that cause the problem. Knowing how to reproduce the bug is key to finding a fix. Here's a breakdown of how the problem arises, step by step:

Set Up Your Board: First things first, you need to create a Kanban board in Obsidian. Make sure you've got your columns set up: Todo, Doing, Waiting, and the all-important Done column. You can customize these to fit your specific needs, but the issue is typically seen with the standard setup.
Create a Task: Now, create a task in a markdown note. You can do this by using the standard task syntax: - [ ] followed by your task description, like "Grocery shopping." The [ ] part creates the unchecked checkbox.
Drag to Done: This is where the magic (or the misery, depending on how you look at it) happens. Drag your newly created task from any other column (like Todo) to the Done column. This should, in theory, mark the task as complete and move it to the Done column.
Observe the Behavior: This is where you see the bug. Instead of staying in Done with a checked checkbox (- [x]), the task unexpectedly jumps to the Uncategorized section. It's like the plugin doesn't recognize that the task has been moved to the Done column or that it should be marked as complete.

By following these steps, you can reliably reproduce the bug and see the problem firsthand. This helps pinpoint the exact moment things go wrong and gives us a clear understanding of what we need to fix.

Understanding the Expected vs. Actual Behavior

To effectively troubleshoot, it's crucial to understand the difference between what should happen (the expected behavior) and what is happening (the actual behavior). This comparison helps us pinpoint the root cause of the problem.

Expected Behavior:

When you drag a task to the Done column, it should stay there. The task should visually update, typically by displaying a checked checkbox (- [x]) to indicate completion.
The task should remain within the Done column until manually moved or deleted.
The Kanban board should accurately reflect the task's completion status.

Actual Behavior:

When you drag a task to the Done column, it immediately moves to the Uncategorized section.
The task does not get marked as completed (no checked checkbox [x]).
This unexpected behavior disrupts the workflow and makes it difficult to track completed tasks.

The discrepancy between what you expect and what you get is the essence of the problem. You want your tasks to neatly organize themselves and indicate their completion status, but the bug is preventing that. Recognizing this difference is the first step toward finding a solution.

Configuration and Potential Causes

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the potential causes and configurations that might be causing this issue. Here's a breakdown of key settings and factors to consider:

Plugin Version

Impact: The version of the Task List Kanban plugin you're using can significantly affect the behavior. Older versions may have bugs that have been fixed in newer releases. Or, a new version might have introduced a bug. Always ensure you're using a stable, up-to-date version of the plugin.
Troubleshooting: Check the plugin's release notes for any known issues or bug fixes related to the Done column or task completion. Consider updating to the latest version to see if it resolves the problem.

Obsidian Version

Impact: The version of Obsidian itself can also play a role. Compatibility issues between the plugin and Obsidian versions can lead to unexpected behavior.
Troubleshooting: Make sure your Obsidian is also up to date. Check the Obsidian release notes to see if there are any known compatibility issues with the plugin version you are using.

Operating System

Impact: While less likely to be the direct cause, the operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) can sometimes influence how Obsidian and its plugins behave.
Troubleshooting: While OS is rarely the problem, you may want to try restarting Obsidian to rule out OS-related interference.

Done Status Markers Setting

Impact: The "Done status markers" setting within the plugin determines which characters or symbols are used to identify a task as complete. The default is usually x.
Troubleshooting: Try adjusting this setting. Some users have reported issues when this field is empty or contains non-standard characters. Make sure it's set to x or the character you want to use. If you change it, test to see if the problem persists.

Columns Configuration

Impact: The way your columns are set up can affect how the plugin interprets task movements. Having extra columns or renaming columns can sometimes cause confusion.
Troubleshooting: Ensure that your Done column is correctly named and that there are no conflicting column names. If you've customized your columns, double-check that the plugin recognizes them properly.

Additional Context

Losing Column Tag: The core of the problem seems to be the task losing its association with the column tag, preventing it from being recognized as "done".
Troubleshooting: Carefully examine your task syntax and the plugin's settings to ensure that the plugin is correctly interpreting the task's status when moved to the Done column.

Troubleshooting and Solutions

Okay, guys, let's roll up our sleeves and get into the troubleshooting part. Here's a structured approach to fixing the "Task moves to Uncategorized" bug:

Update Everything: The first and easiest step is to ensure that everything is up to date. Update the Task List Kanban plugin to the latest version. Update your Obsidian app to the latest version. This simple step resolves many issues because the updates often include bug fixes.
Verify "Done Status Markers": Go into the plugin's settings and verify the "Done status markers" setting. The default is usually x. Make sure that it is set to x or the character you want to use.
Check Task Syntax: Ensure your task syntax is correct. Tasks should be written as - [ ] Task description. The space between the brackets is crucial. Check the plugin's documentation for any specific syntax requirements.
Restart Obsidian: Sometimes, Obsidian just needs a fresh start. Close and restart Obsidian to clear any potential caching issues or conflicts.
Disable Other Plugins (Temporarily): To rule out conflicts, disable other plugins one by one, testing the Done column functionality after each deactivation. If the problem disappears when a specific plugin is disabled, that plugin is likely the culprit.
Review Column Names: Double-check that your column names are correctly set up and haven't been accidentally changed. The names should match what you expect them to be.
Inspect Obsidian's Developer Console: This is a bit more advanced but can reveal helpful error messages. Open the developer console (Ctrl+Shift+I or Cmd+Option+I), then drag a task to the Done column and look for any error messages related to the plugin. These messages can offer clues to the underlying problem.
Reinstall the Plugin: If all else fails, try reinstalling the Task List Kanban plugin. This resets the plugin and can often clear out any corrupted configuration files.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Alright, let's talk about some common mistakes that can lead to this issue and how you can avoid them:

Incorrect Task Syntax: One of the most common pitfalls is incorrect task syntax. Make sure your tasks are formatted as - [ ] Task description. The spaces and brackets must be correct for the plugin to recognize the task properly.
Plugin Conflicts: Be mindful of other plugins. Some plugins can conflict with the Task List Kanban plugin, causing unexpected behavior. Test by disabling other plugins.
Outdated Software: Always keep Obsidian and the Task List Kanban plugin updated. Outdated versions are more prone to bugs and compatibility issues. Check for updates regularly!
Misconfigured Settings: Pay attention to the plugin's settings. Incorrect settings, such as the "Done status markers" setting, can cause tasks to be misidentified. Double-check all settings.
Data Corruption: In rare cases, data corruption can cause problems. If you suspect data corruption, try creating a new vault and testing the functionality to see if the issue persists.
Ignoring Documentation: Don't ignore the plugin's documentation! The documentation often contains valuable information about troubleshooting common issues and configuring the plugin correctly. Read the documentation!

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Alright, guys, we've covered a lot of ground today! We've identified the "Task moves to Uncategorized" bug, explored its causes, and provided a comprehensive troubleshooting guide. Remember, fixing the issue is often a process of elimination.

If you've followed all the steps, and the problem still persists, there may be some specific configuration that is unique to your setup. Don't be discouraged! Head over to the Obsidian forums, or the Task List Kanban plugin's GitHub page. You can often find solutions, or other people with similar problems, there. You might also consider submitting a bug report with all the details of your configuration to the plugin developers, so they can address the issue in future updates.

By systematically working through these steps, you should be able to get your Done column working as expected and get your productivity flowing. Good luck, and happy task management!