Session variable is disappearing before browser closes

I have a quick question about session variables. Below is the code I am using to create the session ID.

<?php
session_start();
    if($_REQUEST['id']){
        $_SESSION['id'] = $_REQUEST['id'];
        $host  = $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'];
        $uri   = rtrim(dirname($_SERVER['PHP_SELF']), '/\\');
        $hidden = "http://" . $host . $uri;
        //header("Location: " . $hidden);
    }

    $id = $_SESSION['id'];
?>

Code (markup):

I call the ID in a text field when the page loads. "value='<?php echo $_REQUEST['id'];?>"

Now, if a visitor navigates away from this page, the value disappears if they return to the page. Is there something I am doing wrong here? I'm assuming it's something simple, but I can't find the issue. I just want the session ID to be stored until the window closes so I can retrieve it in the text field.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Do you have session_start() in the top of every page? If you have, then I can't tell what's wrong..

 

Yes, I have it in the header. It is passed from a PHP configuration file to the header. Could that be the issue? I am going to try and work through the issue and come up with a solution. I will post it if I find one. Thanks.

 

Add this line at the top of all your PHP code :

<?php
$session_length = 60;   // 60 minutes
session_cache_expire($session_length);
?>

PHP:

 

Try session_register() function or make sure your are getting value for $_REQUEST['id']

 

I think this may have done the trick. I used the original code and simply added the session_length code to the top. Thank you.