Bolt performance

Memory Leak - Component Doesn't Clean Up Resources

Your app gradually uses more memory the longer it runs. DevTools shows increasing memory usage even after navigating away from components.

The app slows down over time or crashes after extended use.

Error Messages You Might See

Can't perform a React state update on an unmounted component Memory usage increasing: 50MB -> 200MB -> 500MB Warning: memory leak detected Component still registered after unmount
Can't perform a React state update on an unmounted componentMemory usage increasing: 50MB -> 200MB -> 500MBWarning: memory leak detectedComponent still registered after unmount

Common Causes

  1. useEffect without cleanup function for event listeners, intervals, subscriptions
  2. Setting state on unmounted component
  3. Global state not being cleared when component unmounts
  4. WebSocket or fetch requests not aborted on cleanup
  5. Timer/interval not cleared in cleanup

How to Fix It

Always return cleanup from useEffect: useEffect(() => { const timer = setInterval(...); return () => clearInterval(timer); }, [])

Abort fetch requests: const controller = new AbortController(); fetch(url, { signal: controller.signal }); return () => controller.abort()

Remove event listeners: addEventListener then removeEventListener in cleanup

Check for 'Can't perform a React state update on an unmounted component' warnings

Real developers can help you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When does cleanup function run?

Before component unmounts and before effect runs again (if dependencies change)

Do all useEffects need cleanup?

No, only those that start resources: listeners, intervals, subscriptions, fetches, timers

How do I detect memory leaks?

DevTools Memory tab: take heap snapshot, navigate, take another. Growing objects = leak

Related Bolt Issues

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