Fix React state that appears stuck or stale
State not updating is usually caused by stale closures, mutating state directly, or misunderstanding that setState is asynchronous. The component may not re-render because React doesn't detect a change.
Error messages you might see
Warning: Cannot update a component (`Component`) while rendering a different component (`OtherComponent`).Warning: State updates from the useState() and useReducer() Hooks don't support the second callback argument.Why this happens in AI-generated code
Mutating state directly instead of creating new references
AI-generated code often pushes to arrays or modifies objects directly (state.push(item)) instead of creating new copies, so React's shallow comparison sees no change.
Stale closures capturing old state values
AI tools create event handlers or effects that close over an old state value. Without using the functional updater form, the handler always references the initial state.
Expecting synchronous state updates
AI-generated code reads state immediately after calling setState, expecting the new value, but React batches state updates and the value isn't available until the next render.
How to fix it
Use immutable update patterns
Always create new arrays and objects when updating state: use spread syntax ([...arr, newItem]), filter, map, or structuredClone instead of direct mutation.
Use the functional updater form
Pass a function to setState: `setState(prev => prev + 1)`. This ensures you always operate on the latest state value, avoiding stale closure issues.
Get professional help
Still stuck? Our engineers can trace state management issues in your React app. Visit /products to get started.
Related technologies
Can't fix it yourself?
Our code audit identifies this issue and dozens more. Get a prioritized fix list.
Security Scan
Black-box review of your public-facing app. No code access needed.
- OWASP Top 10 checks
- SSL/TLS analysis
- Security headers
- Expert review within 24h
Code Audit
In-depth review of your source code for security, quality, and best practices.
- Security vulnerabilities
- Code quality review
- Dependency audit
- AI pattern analysis
Complete Bundle
Both scans in one package with cross-referenced findings.
- Everything in both products
- Cross-referenced findings
- Unified action plan
100% credited toward any paid service. Start with an audit, then let us fix what we find.
Frequently asked questions
Why does console.log show the old state right after setState?
setState is asynchronous and batched. The state variable still holds the old value in the current render. To see the new value, log it in a useEffect that depends on that state.
Should I use useReducer instead of useState?
useReducer is better for complex state logic with multiple sub-values or when the next state depends on the previous one. It also avoids stale closure issues since the reducer always receives the current state.
Related resources
Related Technologies
Still stuck? We can fix it for you.
Send us your repo. We'll diagnose the issue and give you a fixed quote within 24 hours.