Why Is My JavaScript Async Await Function Not Waiting for Promise?

If you're asking "why is my javascript async await function not waiting for promise", you're experiencing one of the most common async/await pitfalls. This issue typically occurs when async/await syntax is used incorrectly, causing your code to execute before promises resolve.

Common Causes of Async/Await Not Waiting #

1. Missing await Keyword #

The most frequent reason your async await function is not waiting for promise is forgetting the await keyword:

// Wrong: Function doesn't wait
async function fetchData() {
    const result = fetchFromAPI(); // Missing await!
    console.log(result); // Logs Promise object, not data
    return result;
}

// Correct: Function waits for promise
async function fetchData() {
    const result = await fetchFromAPI(); // Now it waits
    console.log(result); // Logs actual data
    return result;
}

2. Not Making Function Async #

If your function isn't declared as async, the await keyword won't work:

// Wrong: Regular function can't use await
function processData() {
    const data = await fetchData(); // SyntaxError!
    return data;
}

// Correct: Function must be async
async function processData() {
    const data = await fetchData(); // Works correctly
    return data;
}

3. Async/Await in Array Methods #

Array methods like forEach, map, and filter don't handle async/await as expected:

// Wrong: forEach doesn't wait for async operations
async function processItems(items) {
    items.forEach(async (item) => {
        await processItem(item); // Doesn't wait!
    });
    console.log('Done'); // Logs before processing completes
}

// Correct: Use for...of or Promise.all
async function processItems(items) {
    for (const item of items) {
        await processItem(item); // Sequential processing
    }
    console.log('Done'); // Logs after all items processed
}

Why Async Await Function Returns Promise Instead of Data #

When your async await function is not waiting for promise resolution, it often returns a pending promise instead of the expected data:

4. Nested Function Issues #

Async/await problems often occur in nested functions or callbacks:

// Wrong: Inner function not properly awaited
async function handleData() {
    const items = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
    
    items.map(async (item) => {
        const result = await processItem(item);
        return result;
    }); // Returns array of promises, not results!
    
    console.log('Processing complete'); // Runs immediately
}

// Correct: Properly handle nested async operations
async function handleData() {
    const items = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
    
    const results = await Promise.all(
        items.map(async (item) => {
            const result = await processItem(item);
            return result;
        })
    );
    
    console.log('Processing complete', results); // Runs after completion
}

Solutions for JavaScript Async Await Not Waiting #

1. Always Use await with Promises #

Ensure every promise-returning function call includes await:

async function fetchUserData(userId) {
    // Wait for each async operation
    const user = await getUserById(userId);
    const posts = await getPostsByUserId(userId);
    const comments = await getCommentsByUserId(userId);
    
    return { user, posts, comments };
}

2. Handle Multiple Promises Correctly #

For concurrent operations, use Promise.all() instead of sequential awaits:

async function fetchAllData(userId) {
    // Concurrent execution - faster
    const [user, posts, comments] = await Promise.all([
        getUserById(userId),
        getPostsByUserId(userId),
        getCommentsByUserId(userId)
    ]);
    
    return { user, posts, comments };
}

3. Proper Error Handling #

Add try-catch blocks to handle promise rejections:

async function safeDataFetch(url) {
    try {
        const response = await fetch(url);
        const data = await response.json();
        return data;
    } catch (error) {
        console.error('Fetch failed:', error);
        throw error;
    }
}

Common Mistakes to Avoid #

• Forgetting await: Always use await with promise-returning functions
• Mixing callbacks with async/await: Stick to one pattern consistently
• Not making functions async: Functions using await must be declared async
• Ignoring error handling: Always include try-catch blocks
• Misusing array methods: Use for...of or Promise.all() instead of forEach

Summary #

When your javascript async await function is not waiting for promise resolution, check these common issues:

• Missing await keyword before promise calls
• Function not declared as async
• Incorrect usage in array methods
• Improper handling of nested async operations
• Missing error handling with try-catch

By understanding these patterns and applying the correct solutions, you can ensure your async/await functions properly wait for promise resolution.

For more async/await solutions, see our async error handling guide and promise troubleshooting utilities.