Understanding the Issue with `useLocation` and `useHistory` in React Router

If you’ve ever encountered a scenario where the useLocation and useHistory hooks from React Router returned undefined, you’re not alone. This can be a confusing issue that may leave you scratching your head. But fear not, there’s a simple explanation and solution.

The first step is to understand how the useLocation and useHistory hooks work. These hooks allow you to access the current location and history objects provided by React Router. They are powerful tools for controlling navigation and handling route changes in your React application.

However, in order to use these hooks correctly, you need to ensure that the Router component is properly set up. One common mistake is placing the <Router>...</Router> wrapper within the same component where you are using the useLocation and useHistory hooks. This can lead to unexpected behavior, including the return of undefined values.

To resolve this issue, you need to move the <Router>...</Router> wrapper to a higher level component. One such example is the index.js file in your project. By wrapping your entire application with the Router component at a higher level, you ensure that the hooks can access the necessary context and provide the expected values.

Here’s an example of how to properly set up the Router component in your index.js file:

import { BrowserRouter as Router } from 'react-router-dom'
import ReactDOM from 'react-dom'
import React from 'react'

ReactDOM.render(
  <React.StrictMode>
    <Router>
      <App />
    </Router>
  </React.StrictMode>,
  document.getElementById('root')
)

By following this approach, you will no longer encounter the issue of useLocation and useHistory returning undefined. Remember to adjust the import statements according to your project structure.

In summary, when using useLocation and useHistory hooks from React Router, it’s crucial to ensure that the Router component is properly set up at a higher level in your application. This will prevent them from returning undefined values and allow you to utilize the full power of React Router’s navigation and routing capabilities.