In multi-step form, validation errors persist after unmount, preventing form submission on other steps

[Dakkers]

Describe the bug

I've created a multi-step form using code similar to what is seen here and also using field groups.

Your minimal, reproducible example

https://github.com/Dakkers/tanstack-form-wizard-bug

Steps to reproduce

1. pnpm dev to start the sever
2. Access http://localhost:5173/
3. Enter in whatever data you want for the "Personal Info" step and click "Next"
4. After landing on the "Address" step, click "Next" without filling in any of the fields
5. You should see validation errors on this step
6. Click the "Back" button to return to the "Personal Info" step
7. The validation errors should no longer be there (as expected)
8. Click "Next"
9. You will be unable to actually go to the next step now - this is unexpected

Expected behavior

I should be able to move from a previous, valid step in the multi-step form to the next step in the form, regardless of if errors occurred on that next step in the past

How often does this bug happen?

Every time

Screenshots or Videos

In this recording you can see the validation errors correctly show up for step 1 and also step 2, but after going back from step 2 to step 1, I can no longer proceed from step 1 to step 2 again.

Screen.Recording.2026-03-10.at.13.10.14.mov

Platform

• macOS Tahoe Version 26.2 (25C56)
• Chrome Version 145.0.7632.160 (Official Build) (arm64)

I've seen this in previous versions of both MacOS and Chrome.

TanStack Form adapter

react-form

TanStack Form version

^1.128.0

TypeScript version

~5.9.3

Additional context

No response

[cgatian]

Just a friendly FYI: I used this library to build out my multistep with TanStack. https://github.com/martiserra99/formity