Stop infinite re-render loops in React
Infinite re-render loops happen when a component triggers a state update on every render, creating an endless cycle. This freezes the browser and is one of the most common React performance bugs.
Error messages you might see
Too many re-renders. React limits the number of renders to prevent an infinite loop.Maximum update depth exceeded. This can happen when a component calls setState inside useEffect without proper dependencies.Why this happens in AI-generated code
Setting state directly in the render body
AI-generated code sometimes calls setState outside of event handlers or effects, causing a state update on every render which triggers another render.
Missing or incorrect useEffect dependencies
AI tools often set state inside useEffect with object or array dependencies that create new references each render, causing the effect to fire infinitely.
Passing inline functions or objects as props
AI-generated JSX passes arrow functions or object literals as props, which create new references each render and trigger child component re-renders via useEffect.
How to fix it
Audit your useEffect dependency arrays
Ensure useEffect dependencies are stable values (primitives, refs, or memoized values). Use useMemo and useCallback to stabilize object and function references.
Move state updates into event handlers
Instead of setting state in the render body or unconditionally in useEffect, move state updates to onClick, onSubmit, or other event handlers.
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Frequently asked questions
How can I tell which component is causing the infinite loop?
Use React DevTools Profiler to see which components are re-rendering repeatedly. You can also add console.log statements in suspected components to track render counts.
Does useCallback always fix infinite loops?
Not always. useCallback stabilizes function references but if the dependencies of useCallback themselves change every render, you still get the same problem. Trace the root cause of changing dependencies.
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