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React Hook Dependency Warning - Stale Closures

ESLint shows 'missing dependency in useEffect' or 'exhaustive-deps' warning. Code works but warning suggests adding dependencies. Adding dependencies causes infinite loops. Stale closures reference old values.

React hooks require explicit dependency arrays to track when effects should re-run. Missing dependencies cause stale closures; extra ones cause infinite loops.

Error Messages You Might See

React Hook useEffect has a missing dependency Exhaustive-deps Stale closure
React Hook useEffect has a missing dependencyExhaustive-depsStale closure

Common Causes

  1. Variable used in effect but not in dependencies array
  2. Function reference changes every render
  3. Object/array in dependencies (equality always false)
  4. Suppressing warning with eslint-disable instead of fixing
  5. Not understanding effect lifecycle

How to Fix It

Add all dependencies:

const [count, setCount] = useState(0);

useEffect(() => {
  console.log(count); // use count
}, [count]); // add to deps

Memoize dependencies to prevent re-creates:

const config = useMemo(() => ({ value: 10 }), []);
useEffect(() => {
  console.log(config.value);
}, [config]);

Real developers can help you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes infinite loops?

Dependency that always changes: new object, array, or function created on each render.

When can I ignore exhaustive-deps?

Rarely. Instead fix root cause: memoize deps with useMemo or useCallback.

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