DropdownMenu filtering is broken (after selecting an item, it reverts to a different value)

Steps to reproduce

Run the code sample below (it works in dartpad).
Click the text field.
Type "a".
Select the third option, "Dragonfruit".

Expected results

It should say "Dragonfruit".

Actual results

It says "Cherry"!

Code sample

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() {
  runApp(const DropdownMenuExample());
}

final List<DropdownMenuEntry<String>> entries = [
  DropdownMenuEntry<String>(value: 'Apple', label: 'Apple'),
  DropdownMenuEntry<String>(value: 'Banana', label: 'Banana'),
  DropdownMenuEntry<String>(value: 'Cherry', label: 'Cherry'),
  DropdownMenuEntry<String>(value: 'Dragonfruit', label: 'Dragonfruit'),
];

class DropdownMenuExample extends StatefulWidget {
  const DropdownMenuExample({super.key});

  @override
  State<DropdownMenuExample> createState() => _DropdownMenuExampleState();
}

class _DropdownMenuExampleState extends State<DropdownMenuExample> {
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      home: Material(
        child: DropdownMenu<String>(
          enableFilter: true,
          onSelected: (String? icon) {
            setState(() { });
          },
          dropdownMenuEntries: entries.toList(),
        ),
      ),
    );
  }
}

This regressed in #162062.

@Hixie

Hi @Hixie , I ran into the same issue and found a workaround. The problem is that DropdownMenu doesn’t consistently keep the selected value after filtering unless you manage the selection explicitly.

You can fix it by holding the current selection in state and passing it back to the widget via initialSelection. For example:

class _DropdownMenuExampleState extends State<DropdownMenuExample> {
  String? selectedValue;

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      home: Scaffold(
        body: Center(
          child: DropdownMenu<String>(
            initialSelection: selectedValue,
            enableFilter: true,
            onSelected: (String? value) {
              setState(() {
                selectedValue = value;
              });
            },
            dropdownMenuEntries: entries,
          ),
        ),
      ),
    );
  }
}

With this, selecting “Dragonfruit” will remain stable instead of reverting to “Cherry.”

@Hixie

@Hixie Thanks for the report. Seeing the same behaviour with latest SDK versions with provided code sample & steps. It doesn't replicate on 3.32.8 hence marking it as a regression.

@pranataprojects thanks for the workaround.

stable : 3.35.2
master : 3.36.0-1.0.pre-305

3.32.8 (WAI)

Screen.Recording.2025-08-28.at.5.18.17.PM.mov

3.35.2, 3.36.0-1.0.pre-305 (Issue)

Screen.Recording.2025-08-28.at.5.17.39.PM.mov

I filed a fix in #174757.

I had to work around some edgy use cases in the original PR, I must have been consumed so that little detail have slipped by. Sorry for that.

Fix DropdownMenu filtering is broken (#177450)

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DropdownMenu filtering is broken (after selecting an item, it reverts to a different value) #174609

Steps to reproduce

Expected results

Actual results

Code sample

3.32.8 (WAI)

3.35.2, 3.36.0-1.0.pre-305 (Issue)

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DropdownMenu filtering is broken (after selecting an item, it reverts to a different value) #174609

Description

Steps to reproduce

Expected results

Actual results

Code sample

Activity

pranataprojects commented on Aug 28, 2025

tirth-patel-nc commented on Aug 28, 2025

3.32.8 (WAI)

3.35.2, 3.36.0-1.0.pre-305 (Issue)

ahmedrasar commented on Aug 30, 2025

github-actions commented on Nov 10, 2025

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