React Router DOM: Subdirectory Routes Show Blank Page Instead of 404? Here’s the Fix!

Are you tired of seeing a blank page instead of a 404 error when using subdirectory routes in React Router DOM? You’re not alone! This frustrating issue has plagued many developers, but fear not, dear reader, for we’ve got the solution right here!

What’s Causing the Blank Page of Doom?

In React Router DOM, when a route is not found, it’s supposed to render a 404 error page. However, when using subdirectory routes, this doesn’t always happen. Instead, you’re left staring at a blank page, wondering what went wrong.

The culprit behind this issue is usually the way React Router DOM handles route matching. When a route is not found, React Router DOM will try to render the nearest ancestor route that matches the URL. If that route doesn’t exist, it will render a blank page instead of a 404 error.

The Fix: Using the `basename` Prop

One way to fix this issue is by using the `basename` prop in your Router component. This prop allows you to specify a base URL for your router, which can help React Router DOM correctly match routes.

import { BrowserRouter, Route, Switch } from 'react-router-dom';

const App = () => {
  return (
    <BrowserRouter basename="/app">
      <Switch>
        <Route path="/" exact>
          <Home />
        </Route>
        <Route path="/about">
          <About />
        </Route>
        <Route path="*">
          <NotFound />
        </Route>
      </Switch>
    </BrowserRouter>
  );
};

In the above example, we’ve set the `basename` prop to `/app`. This tells React Router DOM to consider `/app` as the base URL for our router. When a route is not found, React Router DOM will correctly render the 404 error page.

The Fix: Using a Custom 404 Page

Another way to fix this issue is by creating a custom 404 page and specifying it as a catch-all route. This way, when a route is not found, React Router DOM will render your custom 404 page instead of a blank page.

import { BrowserRouter, Route, Switch } from 'react-router-dom';

const App = () => {
  return (
    <BrowserRouter>
      <Switch>
        <Route path="/" exact>
          <Home />
        </Route>
        <Route path="/about">
          <About />
        </Route>
        <Route path="*" component={NotFound} />
      </Switch>
    </BrowserRouter>
  );
};

const NotFound = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>404 Error: Page Not Found!</h1>
      <p>Sorry, the page you're looking for doesn't exist.</p>
    </div>
  );
};

In the above example, we’ve created a custom 404 page component called `NotFound`. We’ve then specified this component as a catch-all route using the `*` path. When a route is not found, React Router DOM will render our custom 404 page.

Using a Combination of Both Fixes

For maximum flexibility, you can use a combination of both fixes. This way, you can specify a base URL for your router and also define a custom 404 page.

import { BrowserRouter, Route, Switch } from 'react-router-dom';

const App = () => {
  return (
    <BrowserRouter basename="/app">
      <Switch>
        <Route path="/" exact>
          <Home />
        </Route>
        <Route path="/about">
          <About />
        </Route>
        <Route path="*" component={NotFound} />
      </Switch>
    </BrowserRouter>
  );
};

const NotFound = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>404 Error: Page Not Found!</h1>
      <p>Sorry, the page you're looking for doesn't exist.</p>
    </div>
  );
};

In the above example, we’ve used the `basename` prop to specify a base URL for our router, and also defined a custom 404 page component. This way, we’ve got the best of both worlds!

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you debug your subdirectory routes:

• Check your route definitions: Make sure your route definitions are correct and don’t have any typos.

• Use the React DevTools: The React DevTools can help you debug your React Router DOM routes and identify any issues.

• Verify your URL: Make sure the URL in your browser matches the route you’re expecting to render.

• Check for nested routes: If you’re using nested routes, make sure the parent route is correctly defined.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the common issue of subdirectory routes showing a blank page instead of a 404 error in React Router DOM. We’ve also provided two solutions to fix this issue: using the `basename` prop and creating a custom 404 page. By combining both fixes, you can create a robust routing system that correctly handles subdirectory routes.

Remember, troubleshooting is key when working with React Router DOM. By following the tips and best practices outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to creating a seamless and error-free routing experience for your users.

Solution	Description
Using the `basename` prop	Specify a base URL for your router to help React Router DOM correctly match routes.
Creating a custom 404 page	Define a custom 404 page component and specify it as a catch-all route.
Combining both fixes	Use a combination of the `basename` prop and a custom 404 page for maximum flexibility.

By following the instructions in this article, you should now be able to fix the blank page issue in React Router DOM and provide a better user experience for your users. Happy coding!

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Get ready to unravel the mysteries of React Router DOM and conquer those pesky subdirectory routes that insist on showing a blank page instead of a 404 error!