diff --git a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
index 7912181f..15df2714 100644
--- a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
+++ b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
@@ -229,7 +229,18 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   }, []);
 
   const fetchItems = useCallback(async (entityFilter: EntityFilter = 'all', statusFilter: StatusFilter = 'pending', silent = false, tab: QueueTab = 'mainQueue') => {
+    console.log('🔍 fetchItems called:', { 
+      hasUser: !!userRef.current, 
+      entityFilter, 
+      statusFilter, 
+      silent, 
+      tab,
+      loadingState,
+      timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
+    });
+    
     if (!userRef.current) {
+      console.warn('⚠️ fetchItems: No user available yet, cannot fetch');
       return;
     }
 
@@ -762,15 +773,28 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
 
   // Initial fetch on mount and filter changes
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (!user) return;
+    console.log('🎯 Initial fetch effect:', { 
+      hasUser: !!user, 
+      loadingState,
+      hasInitialFetchRef: hasInitialFetchRef.current,
+      initialFetchComplete: initialFetchCompleteRef.current,
+      isMounting: isMountingRef.current
+    });
+    
+    if (!user) {
+      console.log('⏳ Waiting for user to be available...');
+      return;
+    }
     
     // Phase 1: Initial fetch (run once)
     if (!hasInitialFetchRef.current) {
+      console.log('✅ Triggering initial fetch');
       hasInitialFetchRef.current = true;
       isMountingRef.current = true;
       
       fetchItems(debouncedEntityFilter, debouncedStatusFilter, false)
         .then(() => {
+          console.log('✅ Initial fetch complete');
           initialFetchCompleteRef.current = true;
           // Wait for DOM to paint before allowing subsequent fetches
           requestAnimationFrame(() => {
@@ -782,6 +806,7 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
     
     // Phase 2: Filter changes (only after initial fetch completes)
     if (!isMountingRef.current && initialFetchCompleteRef.current) {
+      console.log('🔄 Filter changed, fetching with debounce');
       debouncedFetchItems(debouncedEntityFilter, debouncedStatusFilter, true, activeTab);
     }
   }, [debouncedEntityFilter, debouncedStatusFilter, user, activeTab, fetchItems, debouncedFetchItems]);