Can't access session variable even with session_start()

Question

I have trouble accessing my session variable from one page to another. When I access the response from the page that sets the session variable as a regular JSON response, I can confirm that the session variable is being set as desired. However, when I navigate to another page using location.replace, I use PHP sessionstart() and cannot access the session variables. I get an empty array for $_SESSION, and no value is printed out when the session variable is echoed. I have attached the code for the page that sets the session variable and the page trying to access it. Additionally, I am trying to run the code on an Apache server and access the pages from the exact same domain with all files in the same location.

I have tried following all the PHP rules for session variables I found online, including adding to the first page, which sets the variable

session_write_close();

And expect that the session variable set is echoed/accessed on the second page.

First Page that sets the session variable:

<?php
session_start(); // Start the session


$_SESSION['display_page2'] = "true";
echo "The value of 'display_page2' is: " . $_SESSION['display_page2'];
?>

Second Page that is meant to access the session variable:

<?php
session_start();
var_dump($_SESSION); // Check the contents of the session array
echo "The value of 'display_page2' is: " . $_SESSION['display_page2'];
?>

AJAX request on third page that calls the first page to set the session variable and redirects to the second page (in the response I am able to verify that the session variable is being set as desired):

$.ajax({
        type: "POST",
                url: "https://url-to-api",
                dataType: "json",
                crossDomain: true,
                contentType: "application/json; charset=utf-8",
                data: JSON.stringify(data),
                success: function() {
                    $.ajax({
                        type: "POST",
                        url: "firstpage.php",
                        data: { display_page2: true },
                        success: function(response) {
                            alert(response);
                            location.replace("secondpage.php");
                        },
                        error: function() {
                            alert("Unsuccessful");
                        }
                    });
                },
                error: function() {
                    alert("Unsuccessful. Please try password again or request new password.");
                    location.reload();
                },
    });

We had similar issue with PHP 5, I remember the session would stop working unexpectedly. Might be a bug? — esQmo_
– esQmo_, Commented Sep 6, 2023 at 15:19
I have updated the version of PHP to 8.2 and I am still having the described problem — Dumebi
– Dumebi, Commented Sep 6, 2023 at 17:24

Simon · Accepted Answer · 2023-09-07 16:49:47Z

Your PHP looks right.

I've not implemented ajax in jQuery before but here is one way to do it with vanilla javascript.

    <div id="content">
    </div>
    <button onclick="nextPage();">Page 2</button>
    <script>
        // Create an XMLHttpRequest object
        const xhttp = new XMLHttpRequest();

        // Define a callback function
        xhttp.onload = function() {
          document.getElementById("content").innerHTML = this.responseText;
        }

        // Send a request
        xhttp.open("POST", "firstpage.php");
        xhttp.send();
        
        function nextPage() {
            // Create an XMLHttpRequest object
            const xhttp = new XMLHttpRequest();

            // Define a callback function
            xhttp.onload = function() {
              document.getElementById("content").innerHTML = this.responseText;
            }

            // Send a request
            xhttp.open("POST", "secondpage.php");
            xhttp.send();
        }
    </script>

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