Fixing the ERROR Error: Element type is invalid in React Native

Are you encountering the `ERROR: Element type is invalid` message in React Native? Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolve it effectively!
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How to Fix the ERROR Error: Element type is invalid in React Native

If you are developing with React Native and have stumbled upon the error message:

ERROR Error: Element type is invalid: expected a string (for built-in components) or a class/function (for composite components) but got: undefined.

you're not alone! This issue often arises due to improper usage of components, specifically due to common mistakes with exporting and importing components. In this guide, we will break down how to identify the root cause of this error and provide a solution to fix it.

Understanding the Error

The error indicates that React encountered an undefined element type when trying to render a component. This usually happens for one of two reasons:

You forgot to export your component properly.

You mixed up default and named imports when trying to import a component.

Let's dive deeper into how to resolve this issue.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

1. Check Your Component Export

Ensure that you are exporting your component correctly. Based on your provided code, you are using a default export but the syntax might be incorrect. Here's the revised export for your TopNavigation component:

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

2. Verify Your Imports

When importing your TopNavigation component, make sure you are correctly matching the export style. Since you exported it as a default export, your import statement should look like this:

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

Using default and named exports incorrectly can lead to components being undefined. Always confirm your import matches your export.

3. Check for Issues with Other Components

Sometimes, the error can arise from other components being used within your TopNavigation. For instance, in the initial provided code, you are importing the Entypo icon but might not be using it correctly. If it’s throwing errors, you can temporarily remove it and check if the rest of the code works.

Suggested Code Update

Here’s how you might consider revising your component usage in Home:

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

Conclusion

Fixing the ERROR Error: Element type is invalid in React Native usually boils down to ensuring proper exports and imports. By redefining your component correctly and checking all import statements, you can resolve this annoying issue.

If the problem persists, consider reviewing all dependencies to make sure you have the correct versions installed and matched with your code environment. Happy coding!