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Why JavaScript Async Await Returns Promise Pending

Why does my JavaScript async await function return promise pending instead of data? Learn the common causes and solutions.

By JsGuide Team

Why JavaScript Async Await Returns Promise Pending Instead of Data

When working with asynchronous JavaScript, developers often encounter the frustrating issue where their async/await function returns Promise { <pending> } instead of the expected data. Understanding why does my JavaScript async await function return promise pending instead of data is crucial for writing effective asynchronous code.

Understanding the Promise Pending State #

The Promise { <pending> } output indicates that your promise hasn't resolved yet. This commonly happens when you're not properly awaiting the promise or when there's an issue with how you're handling the asynchronous operation.

Common Causes of Promise Pending #

1. Missing Await Keyword #

The most common reason for getting promise pending is forgetting to use await:

// Incorrect - returns Promise pending
async function fetchUserData() {
    const response = fetch('https://api.example.com/user');
    return response; // Missing await
}

// Correct - returns actual data
async function fetchUserData() {
    const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/user');
    return await response.json();
}

2. Not Awaiting When Calling the Function #

Even if your async function is correct, you must await it when calling:

async function getData() {
    return await fetch('/api/data').then(r => r.json());
}

// Wrong - logs Promise pending
console.log(getData());

// Correct - logs actual data
console.log(await getData());
// Or use .then()
getData().then(data => console.log(data));

3. Returning Without Await #

Another common mistake is returning a promise without awaiting it:

// Problem: returns pending promise
async function processData() {
    return fetch('/api/data').then(response => response.json());
}

// Solution: await the promise
async function processData() {
    const response = await fetch('/api/data');
    return await response.json();
}

How to Fix Promise Pending Issues #

Solution 1: Properly Use Await #

Always use await before promises in async functions:

Solution 2: Handle Promises in Non-Async Context #

If you can't use async/await, handle promises with .then():

function fetchData() {
    return fetch('/api/data')
        .then(response => response.json())
        .then(data => {
            console.log('Data received:', data);
            return data;
        });
}

// Call it
fetchData().then(result => {
    // Handle the result
});

Solution 3: Use Promise.all for Multiple Promises #

When dealing with multiple async operations:

Debugging Promise Pending Issues #

Check Your Console Output #

When debugging, always check what your functions return:

async function debugExample() {
    const result = await fetch('/api/data');
    console.log('Result type:', typeof result);
    console.log('Result:', result);
    return result;
}

Add Error Handling #

Always include error handling to catch rejected promises:

async function safeAsyncFunction() {
    try {
        const data = await fetch('/api/data');
        return await data.json();
    } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error fetching data:', error);
        throw error;
    }
}

Common Mistakes to Avoid #

  1. Forgetting await: Always await promises in async functions
  2. Not awaiting function calls: Remember to await or use .then() when calling async functions
  3. Mixing async/await with callbacks: Stick to one pattern consistently
  4. Not handling errors: Always include proper error handling

Summary #

The JavaScript async await function returns promise pending instead of data when:

  • You forget to use the await keyword
  • You don't await the function call
  • You return a promise without awaiting it
  • There are timing issues with your asynchronous operations

Always ensure you're properly awaiting promises and handling them correctly to get the actual data instead of pending promises.

For more information on JavaScript error handling, see our Common JavaScript Errors guide or check out our Async Await utilities for ready-to-use code.

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