Axios withCredentials Property Returns ERR_NETWORK: Unraveling the Mystery

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve encountered the frustrating error “ERR_NETWORK” when using Axios with the withCredentials property. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this article, we’ll embark on a journey to understand the root cause of this issue and provide a step-by-step guide to resolving it.

What is the withCredentials property in Axios?

The withCredentials property is a feature in Axios that allows you to send credentials (such as cookies, authorization headers, or TLS client certificates) with cross-origin requests. By default, Axios sets withCredentials to false, which means credentials are not sent with requests.

import axios from 'axios';

const instance = axios.create({
  withCredentials: true // Set withCredentials to true
});

instance.get('https://example.com/api/data')
  .then(response => {
    console.log(response);
  })
  .catch(error => {
    console.error(error);
  });

Why does Axios withCredentials property return ERR_NETWORK?

When you set withCredentials to true, Axios includes credentials in the request. However, if the server doesn’t respond with the necessary CORS headers, the browser will block the request, resulting in the “ERR_NETWORK” error.

This error occurs due to the following reasons:

• The server doesn’t include the Access-Control-Allow-Credentials header in its response.
• The server includes the Access-Control-Allow-Origin header, but it’s not set to * or the specific origin of the request.
• Cookies or other credentials are being sent, but the server doesn’t allow them.

How to resolve the ERR_NETWORK error with Axios and withCredentials?

Don’t worry, resolving this issue is within your grasp! Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem:

1. Verify the server response

   Check the server response to ensure it includes the necessary CORS headers. You can use the Browser’s DevTools or a tool like Postman to inspect the response.

   HTTP/1.1 200 OK
   Access-Control-Allow-Origin: *
   Access-Control-Allow-Credentials: true
   

   If the server doesn’t include these headers, you’ll need to configure the server to add them.

2. Set the withCredentials property correctly

   Make sure you’ve set the withCredentials property to true correctly in your Axios instance.

   import axios from 'axios';
   
   const instance = axios.create({
     withCredentials: true
   });
   

   Axios will automatically include credentials in the request.

3. Handle CORS preflight requests

   If the server doesn’t handle CORS preflight requests, you might need to add additional headers to your request.

   import axios from 'axios';
   
   const instance = axios.create({
     withCredentials: true,
     headers: {
       'Access-Control-Allow-Methods': 'GET,PUT,POST,DELETE,PATCH,OPTIONS',
       'Access-Control-Allow-Headers': 'Content-Type, Accept, Origin, X-Requested-With'
     }
   });
   

   This will allow the browser to send the preflight request and include the necessary headers.

4. Verify cookie presence and format

   If you’re sending cookies, ensure they’re present and in the correct format. You can use the cookies property in Axios to set cookies explicitly.

   import axios from 'axios';
   
   const instance = axios.create({
     withCredentials: true,
     cookies: {
       auth_token: 'your_auth_token'
     }
   });
   

   If you’re using a library like Axios-Cookies, make sure it’s properly configured.

5. Check for TLS client certificate issues

   If you’re using TLS client certificates, verify that they’re correctly configured and sent with the request.

   import axios from 'axios';
   import tls from 'tls';
   
   const instance = axios.create({
     withCredentials: true,
     httpsAgent: new tls.TLSSocket({
       // Your TLS client certificate configuration
     })
   });
   

   Ensure that the TLS client certificate is correctly configured and sent with the request.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

When working with Axios and the withCredentials property, be mindful of the following common pitfalls:

• Ignoring CORS headers: Failing to include CORS headers in the server response or neglecting to handle CORS preflight requests can lead to the “ERR_NETWORK” error.
• Inconsistent withCredentials usage: Using withCredentials inconsistently across requests or instances can cause issues.
• Misconfigured cookies or TLS client certificates: Incorrectly configuring cookies or TLS client certificates can prevent credentials from being sent correctly.
• Failing to handle errors: Not catching and handling errors properly can make it difficult to debug and resolve the “ERR_NETWORK” error.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the “ERR_NETWORK” error when using Axios with the withCredentials property can be resolved by verifying the server response, setting the property correctly, handling CORS preflight requests, verifying cookie presence and format, and checking for TLS client certificate issues. By following these steps and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll be able to successfully send credentials with your Axios requests.

Property	Description
withCredentials	Indicates whether to send credentials with the request
Access-Control-Allow-Origin	Specifies the allowed origin for CORS requests
Access-Control-Allow-Credentials	Indicates whether to allow credentials in CORS requests
cookies	Sets cookies for the request
httpsAgent	Configures the HTTPS agent for TLS client certificates

By mastering the art of using Axios with the withCredentials property, you’ll be able to tackle complex authentication and authorization challenges with confidence. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

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