Click on link item in nextjs trigger full page reload instead navigate to subpage

3 min read 21-09-2024

Click on link item in nextjs trigger full page reload instead navigate to subpage

When building applications with Next.js, one of the powerful features is the built-in routing system. It allows developers to create seamless user experiences by navigating between pages without full page reloads. However, sometimes developers encounter issues where clicking a link leads to a full page reload instead of a smooth transition to a subpage.

Here’s a common scenario illustrating this issue:

Problem Scenario and Original Code

Imagine you have a simple Next.js application with the following code that demonstrates the use of the <Link> component:

import Link from 'next/link';

const HomePage = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
      <Link href="/about">
        <a>About Us</a>
      </Link>
    </div>
  );
};

export default HomePage;

In this code, the intention is to navigate to the "/about" page smoothly when the "About Us" link is clicked. However, in some cases, you may notice that clicking this link results in a full page reload, which can be frustrating for users.

Why Full Page Reloads Occur

Full page reloads can occur for several reasons in a Next.js application:

Improper Link Usage: If the <Link> component is not used correctly, or if there is any interruption in the routing logic, it may trigger a full page reload instead of a client-side navigation.
External Links: If the URL provided in the href attribute leads to a different domain (external link), it will cause a full page reload.
JavaScript Errors: If there are errors in your JavaScript code, it might interrupt the normal navigation flow, causing the application to behave unexpectedly.
Server-side Rendering: If the page is set up to render on the server-side and lacks the necessary client-side hydration, it could lead to a full reload upon navigation.

Analyzing the Solution

To ensure that the navigation works correctly and does not trigger full page reloads, follow these best practices:

Use <Link> Correctly: Ensure that you are using the <Link> component from Next.js and wrapping it properly around the anchor tag. The <a> tag should be a child of <Link>, as shown in the original code above.
Check the href: Make sure that the href prop is pointing to a valid route defined in your application and not leading to an external URL unintentionally.
Handle JavaScript Errors: Regularly check your browser's console for any JavaScript errors that may affect the routing behavior.
Debugging: Utilize the debugging tools available in your browser to investigate what happens when you click the link. Look for network requests that indicate full reloads.

Example of Correct Usage

Here’s a slightly revised version of the initial code to demonstrate best practices further:

import Link from 'next/link';

const HomePage = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
      <Link href="/about" passHref>
        <a style={{ color: 'blue', textDecoration: 'underline' }}>About Us</a>
      </Link>
    </div>
  );
};

export default HomePage;

In this example, we have included passHref to ensure that the underlying <a> tag receives the href attribute correctly. Additionally, basic inline styles have been added to visually distinguish the link.

Conclusion

In summary, to avoid full page reloads when navigating in a Next.js application, always use the <Link> component correctly and ensure your routing logic is sound. Understanding the reasons behind full reloads can lead to better debugging and ultimately enhance user experience in your web application.

Useful Resources

By being attentive to how navigation works in Next.js, you can create more efficient and user-friendly applications.