Why does my ASP.NET Core seed method only add sample data when the admin user does not exist?

Your seed data is either missing some information or and it needs to have some starters for example like this :

if (!db.Items.Any()) { db.Items.AddRange( new Item { Name = "Wireless Mouse", Description = "Basic wireless mouse for everyday use.", Price = 14.99m, StockQuantity = 40, Category = "Electronics", IsActive = true }, new Item { Name = "USB Keyboard", Description = "Standard wired keyboard.", Price = 19.99m, StockQuantity = 25, Category = "Electronics", IsActive = true }, new Item { Name = "Laptop Stand", Description = "Adjustable stand for laptops and tablets.", Price = 24.99m, StockQuantity = 15, Category = "Accessories" IsActive = true } ); }

Ok can i see you program.cs ??

Also make sure u have this at the end of program.cs

using (var scope = app.Services.CreateScope()) { var services = scope.ServiceProvider; await .Data.SeedData.InitializeAsync(services); } And also make sure that in your essentials is like this : public class EssentialController : Controller { private readonly ApplicationDbContext _context; public EssentialController(ApplicationDbContext context) { _context = context; } public async Task<IActionResult> Index(string searchString) { var items = _context.Items.Where(i => i.IsActive); if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(searchString)) { items = items.Where(i => i.Name.Contains(searchString) || i.Description.Contains(searchString) || i.Category.Contains(searchString)); } return View(await items.ToListAsync()); }