Solving the Mystery of Nextjs Routing: Why You’re Getting a 404 Error

Are you tired of seeing the dreaded “This page could not be found” error message when trying to access a page on your Nextjs application? You’re not alone! Many developers have encountered this frustrating issue, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you crack the code.

Understanding Nextjs Routing

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s take a step back and understand how Nextjs routing works. Nextjs uses a file-based routing system, which means that every file in the `pages` directory becomes a route. For example, if you have a file called `about.js` in the `pages` directory, Nextjs will automatically create a route for `/about`.

// pages/about.js
import Head from 'next/head';

const AboutPage = () => {
  return (
    

      
        
      
      
    
  );
};

export default AboutPage;

In this example, when you navigate to `/about`, Nextjs will render the `AboutPage` component.

Common Causes of 404 Errors in Nextjs Routing

Now that we have a basic understanding of Nextjs routing, let’s explore some common causes of 404 errors:

• Incorrect File Names or Paths: Make sure that your file names and paths match the route you’re trying to access. For example, if you have a file called `about-us.js`, Nextjs will look for a route at `/about-us`, not `/about`.
• Typos in File Names or Paths: A single typo in a file name or path can cause a 404 error. Double-check that your file names and paths are correct and match the route you’re trying to access.
• Missing or Incorrectly Configured `next.config.js` File: The `next.config.js` file is responsible for configuring Nextjs. If this file is missing or incorrectly configured, it can cause routing issues. We’ll cover how to configure this file later in the article.
• Incorrectly Imported Components or Pages: Make sure that you’re importing components and pages correctly. If you’re using a custom routing system, ensure that you’re importing the correct components and pages.
• Browser Caching Issues: Sometimes, browser caching can cause issues with Nextjs routing. Try clearing your browser cache and cookies to see if that resolves the issue.

Solving 404 Errors in Nextjs Routing

Now that we’ve covered the common causes of 404 errors, let’s dive into the solutions:

Solution 1: Check File Names and Paths

Double-check that your file names and paths match the route you’re trying to access. Make sure that there are no typos or incorrect file names or paths.

// pages/about.js (correct)
// pages/about-us.js (correct)
// pages/About.js (incorrect - file name should be in lowercase)
// pages/about/Us.js (incorrect - path should be correct)

Solution 2: Configure `next.config.js` File

The `next.config.js` file is responsible for configuring Nextjs. If you’re experiencing routing issues, try adding the following configuration:

module.exports = {
  target: 'serverless',
  trailingSlash: true,
};

This configuration tells Nextjs to use serverless mode and enables trailing slashes in URLs.

Solution 3: Check Imported Components and Pages

Make sure that you’re importing components and pages correctly. If you’re using a custom routing system, ensure that you’re importing the correct components and pages.

// pages/_app.js
import AboutPage from '../pages/about';

function MyApp({ Component, pageProps }) {
  return (
    

      
    
  );
}

In this example, we’re importing the `AboutPage` component from the `about.js` file.

Solution 4: Clear Browser Caching

Sometimes, browser caching can cause issues with Nextjs routing. Try clearing your browser cache and cookies to see if that resolves the issue.

Solution 5: Check for Conflict with Other Routes

If you have multiple routes with similar paths, it may cause conflicts. Try renaming or reorganizing your routes to avoid conflicts.

// pages/about.js
// pages/about/team.js (conflict with /about route)

In this example, the `/about/team` route may conflict with the `/about` route. Try renaming the `team.js` file to avoid the conflict.

Advanced Nextjs Routing Techniques

Now that we’ve covered the basics of solving 404 errors in Nextjs routing, let’s explore some advanced techniques:

Custom Routing with `next-routes`

`next-routes` is a popular library that allows you to create custom routes for your Nextjs application. Here’s an example:

// pages/_app.js
import { Router } from 'next';
import routes from '../routes';

Router.configure(routes);

const MyApp = ({ Component, pageProps }) => {
  return (
    

      
    
  );
};

// routes.js
import { route } from 'next-routes';

route('/', 'index');
route('/about', 'about');
route('/about/team', 'about/team');

In this example, we’re using `next-routes` to create custom routes for our application.

Internationalization (i18n) with Nextjs

Nextjs provides built-in support for internationalization (i18n) through its `intl` plugin. Here’s an example:

// next.config.js
module.exports = {
  // ...
  i18n: {
    locales: ['en', 'fr', 'es'],
    defaultLocale: 'en',
  },
};

In this example, we’re configuring Nextjs to support three locales: English, French, and Spanish.

Conclusion

Solving 404 errors in Nextjs routing can be frustrating, but with the right techniques and knowledge, you can overcome these issues. Remember to:

• Check file names and paths for correctness and typos.
• Configure the `next.config.js` file correctly.
• Import components and pages correctly.
• Clear browser caching issues.
• Avoid conflicts with other routes.

By following these solutions and exploring advanced techniques like custom routing with `next-routes` and internationalization (i18n) with Nextjs, you’ll be well on your way to creating a robust and scalable Nextjs application.

Common Causes of 404 Errors	Solutions
Incorrect File Names or Paths	Check file names and paths for correctness and typos.
Typos in File Names or Paths	Double-check file names and paths for typos.
Missing or Incorrectly Configured `next.config.js` File	Configure the `next.config.js` file correctly.
Incorrectly Imported Components or Pages	Import components and pages correctly.
Browser Caching Issues	Clear browser caching issues.

We hope this article has helped you solve the mystery of Nextjs routing and overcome the frustrating 404 error. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

Got stuck with Nextjs routing giving 404 “This page could not be found” error? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!