Why is JSON.NET Serializing My Objects Twice in Web API, and How Can I Fix It?

Troubleshooting Double Serialization with JSON.NET in Web API

A common issue in Web API development involves JSON.NET unexpectedly serializing objects twice. This often occurs when using JsonConvert.SerializeObject(instance) alongside custom converters defined in JsonConvert.DefaultSettings within WebApiConfig. The result is a JSON response enclosed in double quotes with escaped internal quotes.

The solution is straightforward: avoid manually serializing objects using JsonConvert.SerializeObject. Instead, let the Web API controller handle the serialization process. Simply return your objects directly:

<code class="language-csharp">public IEnumerable<foobar> GetFoobars()
{
    var foobars = ...;
    return foobars;
}</code>

By returning the foobar objects without explicit serialization, the Web API controller will use its default settings to serialize the data into either JSON or XML, depending on the client's request. This eliminates the double serialization problem.

Further Resources:

• JSON and XML Serialization in ASP.NET Web API

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