Collection list filters/search cause UI blinking before data loads correctly

[Nami-2024]

Describe the Bug.

After migrating from Payload CMS v2 to v3, collection list filtering and searching in the admin UI shows noticeable UI flickering/blinking before results are rendered. This behavior was not present in v2 and impacts usability and perceived performance.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open the admin panel
2. Navigate to any collection with a moderate to large number of documents
3. Use:
   • Text search, or
   • Any collection filter
4. Observe the UI behavior when results are fetched

Expected Behavior

• Results update smoothly without full list flicker or visual reset
• Comparable performance and UX to Payload v2

Actual Behavior

• The page briefly blinks/flickers before showing results
• Noticeable delay before data is rendered
• Behavior occurs consistently across collections

Environment

• Payload CMS: v3.61.1
• Previous version: v2.30.0 (no issue)
• Database: MongoDB

Binaries:
  Node: 23.5.0
  npm: 10.9.2
  Yarn: 1.22.22
  pnpm: 10.11.0
Relevant Packages:
  payload: 3.69.0
  next: 15.4.10
  @payloadcms/db-mongodb: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/email-nodemailer: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/graphql: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/next/utilities: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/payload-cloud: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/plugin-cloud-storage: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/plugin-seo: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/richtext-lexical: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/storage-s3: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/translations: 3.69.0
  @payloadcms/ui/shared: 3.69.0
  react: 19.2.1
  react-dom: 19.2.1
Operating System:
  Platform: linux
  Arch: x64
  Version: #37~24.04.1-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu Nov 20 10:25:38 UTC 2
  Available memory (MB): 15735
  Available CPU cores: 12

[aldoprogrammer]

Testing on v3.69.0 Postgres, 7500+ users – no flickering on search/filter yet.

[aldoprogrammer]

Update: With 8037 users (v3.69.0, Postgres), no flicker on search/filter, but consistent flicker on page refresh (Ctrl + R) – brief white flash before list loads.

Confirmed on Firefox, Chrome & Edge. Suggests issue tied to initial fetch/mount, not just search/filter.

Demo