"Data is Null. This method or property cannot be called on Null Values" error in the SolarWinds Platform Web Console

When you access the Message Center on the SolarWinds Platform Web Console, you will be prompted with this error message:



Under the OrionWeb.log, you will see this error referencing to the issue encountered:

021-05-26 10:55:22,158 [216] (822) ERROR ASP.global_asax - (null)  Application_Error(8d52fba08574460e8e2830db6ec8cf76)
System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlNullValueException: Data is Null. This method or property cannot be called on Null values.
   at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlBuffer.get_String()
   at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlDataReader.GetString(Int32 i)
   at SolarWinds.Orion.Core.Common.NodeDAL.SolarWinds.Orion.Core.Common.DALs.INodeDAL.GetNodeIdAndCaption(List`1 limitationIDs)
   at SolarWinds.Orion.Core.Common.NodeDAL.GetNodeIdAndCaption(List`1 limitationIDs)
   at NetworkObjectControl.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Control.LoadRecursive()
   at System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint)

This issue occurs when there are Nodes which have NULL value for their Caption.

• Navigate to the server hosting your SolarWinds Platform product.
• Search for Database Manager. Or look under the Start menu folder: SolarWinds Platform.
• When the application loads, click Add Orion Server (or Add Default Server on older software versions).
  To connect to a non-default server, click Add Server and enter the data manually.
• Expand your database and navigate to the NodesData table
• Run this query to determine which Nodes have NULL value for their caption

-- Scripts are not supported under any SolarWinds support program or service.
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-- disclaims all warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties
-- of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The risk arising
-- out of the use or performance of the scripts and documentation stays with you.
-- In no event shall SolarWinds or anyone else involved in the creation,
-- production, or delivery of the scripts be liable for any damages whatsoever
-- (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business
-- interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising
-- out of the use of or inability to use the scripts or documentation.

SELECT TOP 1000 * FROM [dbo].[NodesData]
where Caption IS NULL

• Manually add a caption on those nodes by using their IP Address instead. To edit the column, click "Enable Table Editing" and specify the caption for these nodes.
• Run the query again to make sure that there are no more Nodes with missing caption
• Once verified that there are no more nodes with missing caption, you should be able to access the Message Center on the web console again without any issues.