Fix JavaScript Error: Network Error in Fetch and Axios (2025 Guide)

Fix Error: Network Error in Fetch and Axios in JavaScript - 2025 Guide

Posted on: March 12, 2025

If you’ve run into an "Error: Network Error" while using fetch or axios in JavaScript, it’s usually a sign of a connectivity issue. In this guide, I’ll explain why it happens and how to handle it effectively.

What Causes "Error: Network Error"?

This error occurs during HTTP requests when the network fails. Common reasons include:

• No Internet: The client can’t connect to the network.
• Server Down: The target server isn’t responding.
• CORS Issues: Cross-Origin Resource Sharing restrictions block the request.

Here’s an interactive example (open your browser console with F12 to see the error):

In this example, fetch tries to reach a nonexistent server, triggering a "Network Error".

How to Fix It: 3 Solutions

Let’s address this error with practical steps:

(Diagram: Developer sends request, gets error, checks network/server/CORS, fixes issue.)

Solution 1: Check Network Connectivity

Verify the client’s internet connection before making requests:

// Basic check
if (!navigator.onLine) {
  console.error("No internet connection!");
} else {
  fetch('https://api.example.com')
    .then(response => response.json())
    .catch(err => console.error("Network Error:", err));
}

Use navigator.onLine to detect offline status and inform the user.

Solution 2: Handle Errors Gracefully

Wrap requests in try-catch and provide fallback logic:

async function fetchData() {
  try {
    const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com');
    const data = await response.json();
    return data;
  } catch (err) {
    console.error("Network Error:", err.message);
    return { error: "Failed to fetch data" }; // Fallback
  }
}
fetchData().then(result => console.log(result));

This keeps your app running even if the network fails.

Solution 3: Fix CORS Issues

Ensure the server allows your origin or use a proxy:

// Wrong (CORS might block this)
fetch('https://other-domain.com')
  .catch(err => console.error("Network Error (CORS?):", err));

// Fixed (using a proxy if needed)
fetch('https://cors-anywhere.herokuapp.com/https://other-domain.com')
  .then(response => response.json())
  .catch(err => console.error("Network Error:", err));

Check server-side CORS headers or use a proxy like cors-anywhere for testing.

Quick Checklist

• Is the client online? (Check navigator.onLine)
• Is the server responding? (Test the URL separately)
• Are CORS headers set correctly? (Inspect network tab)

Conclusion

The "Error: Network Error" in fetch or axios can disrupt your app, but with proper checks and error handling, you can keep things smooth. Got another JavaScript error troubling you? Let me know in the comments!

Comments

Have a question or another error to solve? Drop it below!