Common Issues and Solutions

Issue 1: Environment Variables Are Undefined

Check the .env File Location

Ensure that your .env file is in the root directory of your Next.js project. Variables defined elsewhere will not be recognized.

Restart the Development Server

Next.js reads environment variables when the server starts. If you add or modify variables, restart the server:

npm run dev
 or
yarn dev

Verify Variable Names

Double-check the spelling and prefix of your environment variables. Client-side variables must start with NEXT_PUBLIC_.

Rebuild the Project

For production environments, rebuild your project after making changes to environment variables:

npm run build
npm start
 or
yarn build
yarn start

Issue 2: Environment Variables Not Working in Production

Check Deployment Settings

Ensure that your environment variables are correctly set in your deployment environment. Different platforms have unique methods for configuring environment variables.

Verify Build Process

Confirm that your deployment process includes the .env file and properly sets up environment variables during the build stage.

Environment variables play a crucial role in web development, especially in configuring sensitive information such as API keys, database URLs, and other configuration settings.

In Next.js, handling these variables correctly ensures the smooth functioning of your application.

This article will guide you through setting up environment variables in Next.js and troubleshooting common issues.