Why Does My JavaScript Async Await Return Promise Pending Instead of Data

If you're wondering why does my JavaScript async await function return promise pending instead of data, you're experiencing one of the most common async/await issues. This happens when async functions aren't properly awaited or when promise chains aren't handled correctly.

Understanding Promise Pending State #

When an async function returns Promise { <pending> }, it means the promise hasn't resolved yet. This occurs because JavaScript continues executing code while the asynchronous operation is still in progress.

// This will show Promise { <pending> }
function fetchUserData() {
    return fetch('/api/user').then(response => response.json());
}

console.log(fetchUserData()); // Promise { <pending> }

Common Causes of Promise Pending #

1. Missing await Keyword #

The most frequent reason why JavaScript async await returns promise pending instead of data is forgetting to use the await keyword:

// Wrong - returns Promise { <pending> }
async function getUserData() {
    const userData = fetchUserData(); // Missing await
    return userData;
}

// Correct - returns actual data
async function getUserData() {
    const userData = await fetchUserData(); // Added await
    return userData;
}

2. Not Awaiting Function Calls #

When calling async functions, you must await them to get the resolved value:

// Wrong - logs Promise { <pending> }
async function displayUser() {
    const user = getUserData(); // Missing await
    console.log(user); // Promise { <pending> }
}

// Correct - logs actual user data
async function displayUser() {
    const user = await getUserData(); // Added await
    console.log(user); // Actual user object
}

3. Incorrect Promise Handling #

Sometimes the issue occurs when mixing promises with async/await incorrectly:

// Wrong approach
async function processData() {
    return fetch('/api/data')
        .then(response => response.json()); // Don't mix then() with async/await
}

// Better approach
async function processData() {
    const response = await fetch('/api/data');
    return await response.json();
}

Solutions for Promise Pending Issues #

Solution 1: Always Use Await #

Ensure you're using await when calling async functions:

Solution 2: Handle Async Function Calls Properly #

When calling async functions from other functions, ensure proper handling:

// Wrong - calling async function without proper handling
function handleUserAction() {
    const result = getUserData(); // Returns promise pending
    console.log(result); // Promise { <pending> }
}

// Correct - using async/await
async function handleUserAction() {
    const result = await getUserData(); // Waits for resolution
    console.log(result); // Actual data
}

// Alternative - using .then()
function handleUserAction() {
    getUserData().then(result => {
        console.log(result); // Actual data
    });
}

Solution 3: Debug Promise States #

Use console.log to debug promise states and understand the flow:

Best Practices to Avoid Promise Pending #

1. Consistent Async/Await Usage #

Stick to async/await pattern throughout your code:

// Good practice
async function fetchAndProcessData() {
    try {
        const response = await fetch('/api/data');
        const data = await response.json();
        const processed = await processData(data);
        return processed;
    } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error:', error);
        throw error;
    }
}

2. Proper Error Handling #

Always handle errors in async functions:

async function safeAsyncOperation() {
    try {
        const result = await riskyAsyncFunction();
        return result;
    } catch (error) {
        console.error('Async operation failed:', error);
        return null; // Or handle as appropriate
    }
}

3. Use TypeScript for Better Async Handling #

TypeScript can help catch async/await issues at compile time:

async function fetchUser(id: number): Promise<User> {
    const response = await fetch(`/api/users/${id}`);
    return await response.json(); // TypeScript ensures proper typing
}

Common Mistakes to Avoid #

1. Forgetting await keyword - Always await async function calls
2. Mixing promises and async/await - Choose one pattern and stick with it
3. Not handling errors - Use try/catch blocks with async/await
4. Calling async functions synchronously - Always await or use .then()
5. Ignoring promise rejection - Handle both success and error cases

Summary #

When your JavaScript async await function returns promise pending instead of data, it's typically because:

• You forgot to use the await keyword
• The async function call isn't properly awaited
• You're mixing promise patterns incorrectly

The solution is to consistently use await when calling async functions and ensure proper error handling. Remember that async functions always return promises, so you must await them to get the resolved value.

For more async/await examples, check out our async basics tutorial and promise handling snippets.