Solving the TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'location') in React Router

Struggling with the `TypeError` in your React app? Discover how to fix the issue with the `location` property using `useLocation()` in `react-router-dom`.
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Understanding the TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'location')

If you're developing a React application and you've encountered the error message: TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'location'), you're not alone. This issue often arises when you're dealing with React Router and can be frustrating if you're unsure of how to resolve it. Let's break down what's happening and how you can fix it in your code.

The Problem

This error typically occurs when you try to access the location property of the history object using the useHistory hook from react-router-dom. In recent versions of React Router, specifically v6, significant changes have been made. Here's the relevant code that triggers the issue:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

What's Going Wrong?

In React Router v6, the useHistory hook has been replaced by the useNavigate hook, which does not provide a history object but rather a function to navigate between routes. Additionally, the location information is now obtained using the useLocation hook.

The Solution

To resolve this error, you’ll need to make a few adjustments to your code. Let's walk through the changes step by step.

Step 1: Use useLocation Instead of useHistory

Replace the existing code that uses useHistory with useLocation. Here’s how you can do it:

Import useLocation from react-router-dom:

Make sure to import the useLocation hook at the beginning of your file.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Use useLocation to Access the Current Path:

Update your LinkList component as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Update Your Routing Logic

With the recent changes in React Router v6, you need to adjust how you handle redirects and route matches:

Replace the Redirect Component with Navigate:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Remove the exact Prop:

In v6, all paths are matched exactly by default, so you no longer need the exact prop:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Clean Up Dependencies

If you're working with react-router-dom v6, you might consider removing react-router from your dependencies or updating both packages to avoid potential conflicts:

Remove react-router: It's generally re-exported from react-router-dom.

Ensure consistency with version numbers.

Conclusion

Errors like TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'location') can be challenging, but with the right understanding of the changes introduced in React Router v6, you can navigate through these issues smoothly. By switching from useHistory to useLocation, updating your route handling, and cleaning up your dependencies, you can get your application back on track.

By staying up to date with the latest libraries and understanding their changes, you'll ensure a much smoother development experience. Happy coding!