supabase/apps/docs/content/troubleshooting/edge-function-500-error-response.mdx

---
title = "Edge Function 500 error response"
topics = [ "functions" ]
keywords = [ "500", "Internal Server Error" ]

[[errors]]
http_status_code = 500
message = "Internal Server Error"
---

A 500 from an Edge Function means one of two things.

- The function encountered an unhandled [JavaScript error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects#error_objects)
- Your code deliberately returned a 500 response

## Quick triage

If you received back the below message, then go to the [JavaScript failure](#javascript-failure) section:

```js
Internal Server Error
```

If the body contained a custom message, or nothing at all, run the below query in the [SQL Editor](/dashboard/project/_/sql/new?skip=true&source=logs&content=select%0A%20%20console_logs.event_message%2C%0A%20%20console_logs.timestamp%2C%0A%20%20invocation_events.function_name%0Afrom%0A%20%20%28%0A%20%20%20%20select%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20timestamp%2C%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20event_message%2C%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20log_attributes%5B%27execution_id%27%5D%20as%20execution_id%0A%20%20%20%20from%20logs%0A%20%20%20%20where%20source%20%3D%20%27function_logs%27%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20and%20log_attributes%5B%27level%27%5D%20%3D%20%27error%27%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20and%20log_attributes%5B%27event_type%27%5D%20in%20%28%27Log%27%2C%20%27UncaughtException%27%29%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20and%20event_message%20like%20%27%25Error%3A%25file%3A///%25%27%0A%20%20%29%20as%20console_logs%0A%20%20inner%20join%20%28%0A%20%20%20%20select%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20log_attributes%5B%27execution_id%27%5D%20as%20execution_id%2C%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20log_attributes%5B%27request.pathname%27%5D%20as%20function_name%0A%20%20%20%20from%20logs%0A%20%20%20%20where%20source%20%3D%20%27function_edge_logs%27%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20and%20toInt32OrZero%28log_attributes%5B%27response.status_code%27%5D%29%20%3D%20500%0A%20%20%29%20as%20invocation_events%20on%20console_logs.execution_id%20%3D%20invocation_events.execution_id%0Aorder%20by%20invocation_events.function_name%2C%20console_logs.timestamp%0Alimit%2050%3B) after setting the time range:

```sql
select
  console_logs.event_message,
  console_logs.timestamp,
  invocation_events.function_name
from
  (
    select
      timestamp,
      event_message,
      log_attributes['execution_id'] as execution_id
    from logs
    where source = 'function_logs'
      and log_attributes['level'] = 'error'
      and log_attributes['event_type'] in ('Log', 'UncaughtException')
      and event_message like '%Error:%file:///%'
  ) as console_logs
  inner join (
    select
      log_attributes['execution_id'] as execution_id,
      log_attributes['request.pathname'] as function_name
    from logs
    where source = 'function_edge_logs'
      and toInt32OrZero(log_attributes['response.status_code']) = 500
  ) as invocation_events on console_logs.execution_id = invocation_events.execution_id
order by invocation_events.function_name, console_logs.timestamp
limit 50;
```

Based on the output, go to the relevant section:

- **Query returns no results:** [Custom 500 response](#your-custom-response-returned-a-500)
- **Query returns results:** [JavaScript failure](#javascript-failure)

## Your custom response returned a 500

Somewhere in your function logic, you are returning a 500 response yourself:

### Example:

```js
return new Response(JSON.stringify(data), {
  headers: { ...corsHeaders, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  status: 500, // <-- you set this
})
```

### Fix:

1. Search your function code for status: 500 (or status: "500")
2. Trace back the condition that triggered it. Check any third-party API responses that might be feeding a 500 response back to the function.
3. Add a [try/catch](/docs/guides/functions/error-handling) block with a custom `console.error()` message before the code returns, so future occurrences leave a better trace.

See: [Error handling in Edge Functions](/docs/guides/functions/error-handling)

## JavaScript failure

An unhandled [JavaScript Error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects#error_objects) emerged during execution.

The function's log will produce an `event_message` with the error type. It may look like:

```sh
TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'some_func')
    at Object.handler (file:///var/tmp/sb-compile-edge-runtime/source/index.ts:15:26)
    at eventLoopTick (ext:core/01_core.js:175:7)
    at async mapped (ext:runtime/http.js:246:20)
```

The first line tells you the error type and message. The [stack trace](https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/javascript-stack-trace-understanding-it-and-using-it-to-debug/) points to the file and line number.

The Mozilla Foundation documents all error objects and what they mean:

- [`Error`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error)
- [`AggregateError`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/AggregateError)
- [`EvalError`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/EvalError)
- [`RangeError`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/RangeError)
- [`ReferenceError`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/ReferenceError)
- [`SuppressedError`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/SuppressedError)
- [`SyntaxError`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/SyntaxError)
- [`TypeError`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/TypeError)
- [`URIError`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/URIError)
- [`InternalError`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/InternalError)

However, you can also review the below **example cases** for an idea of possible causes.

### Example cases

{/* supa-mdx-lint-disable Rule003Spelling */}

### TypeError: Undefined variables

A `TypeError` occurs when any JavaScript datatype is misused. For instance, trying to execute a number as if it were a function would cause the error:

```js
const some_num = 5

some_num() // TypeError: some_num is not a function
```

This issue often appears when working with returned objects from external APIs. One may assume a response has a certain shape, but if the value is `null` or `undefined`, using it without checking can lead to a `TypeError`.

```js
const data = await req.json() // returns undefined if request body is empty
data.some_obj.some_val // TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined
```

#### Fix 1: Type-check before using potentially unknown values:

```js
const { user_submission } = await req.json()

// checking value for appropriate datatype
if (typeof user_submission === 'undefined') {
  return new Response(JSON.stringify({ message: 'Submission is empty. Please try again.' }), {
    headers: { ...corsHeaders, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    status: 400,
  })
}

// rest of code ...
```

#### Fix 2: Wrap problematic code in try/catch:

One could use a [try/catch/finally](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Statements/try...catch) block to handle these errors:

```js
try {
  some_obj.some_func(); // TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined
  ...
}
catch(err) {
  // customize the error message
  console.error('return object was misformatted:', err)
}
finally {
  // add a custom error response for easier debugging
  return new Response(JSON.stringify(
    { message: 'Could not parse return object' }),
    {
      headers: { ...corsHeaders, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
      status: 500 // opt to customize the status code to better fit the situation
    }
  )
}
```

{/* supa-mdx-lint-disable Rule003Spelling */}

### ReferenceError: Var is not defined

A `ReferenceError` occurs when one tries to reference a variable that does not exist in the code's scope. Often times caused by a typo or missing import.

For instance, if one tries to access a variable before it is defined, they will encounter the error:

```js
let a = some_uninitialized_var // ReferenceError: some_uninitialized_var is not defined...
```

### Fix:

- Check the variable name in the error message against your code to ensure there are no typos
- Make sure the variable is declared before it's used
- If it's from a package, confirm the import exists and the export name is correct
- If the error references a JavaScript internal, make sure it is compatible with the Supabase Runtime. If not, consider refactoring or updating the library's version

### Custom errors

You explicitly threw an [error](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error/Error) somewhere in your code, or a third-party package did:

```js
throw new Error('custom, unhandled error')
```

Alternatively, in a [try/catch blocks](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Statements/try...catch), you may have augmented the standard error message:

```js
try {
  // induce reference error
  const a = unitialized_var // ReferenceError...
} catch (error) {
  console.error('custom error message...', error) // modifying the original error message
}
```

When you customize the error response, it's important to define an appropriate new message. It may also be worthwhile changing the default `500` code returned during errors to a value more reflective of the situation for easier debugging in the future:

```js
...
catch (error) {
  console.error('custom error message...', error) // modifying the original error message
  return new Response(JSON.stringify(
    { message: 'Permissions error, please sign in' }),
    {
      headers: { ...corsHeaders, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
      status: 401 // customizing the status code
    }
  )
}
```

{/* supa-mdx-lint-disable Rule003Spelling */}

### SyntaxError: Special case - CORS violation

A `SyntaxError` error occurs when Deno's grammatical rules are violated, such as failing to close a parenthesis:

```js
console.log('unclosed' ; // Uncaught SyntaxError: missing ) after argument list
```

In most cases, syntax violations can be fixed by removing a typo. There is a special case that is common enough that it is worth providing an example over: [CORS](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Preflight_request) violations.

When making calls from a browser, such as FireFox or Chrome, the site will make an [OPTIONS](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Reference/Methods/OPTIONS) request before sending over the actual payload. This is a security mechanism done to prevent [Cross-Site-Request-Forgery attacks](https://support.apollographql.com/space/ETKB/779452417/Understanding+CORS+and+CSRF). To satisfy the request, you need to have a [CORS handler](/docs/guides/functions/cors) in place:

```js
const corsHeaders = {
  'Access-Control-Allow-Origin': '*',
  'Access-Control-Allow-Headers': 'authorization, x-client-info, apikey, content-type',
}

Deno.serve(async (req) => {
  // CORS handler: manages OPTIONS request
  if (req.method === 'OPTIONS') {
    return new Response('ok', { headers: corsHeaders })
  }
})
```

Without the `OPTIONS` handler, requests from the browser will be misinterpreted, resulting in an `Unexpected end of JSON input` error log.

```sh
SyntaxError: Unexpected end of JSON input
    at parse (<anonymous>)
    at packageData (ext:deno_fetch/22_body.js:408:14)
    at consumeBody (ext:deno_fetch/22_body.js:261:12)
    at eventLoopTick (ext:core/01_core.js:175:7)
    at async Object.handler (file:///var/tmp/sb-compile-edge-runtime/source/index.ts:5:20)at async mapped (ext:runtime/http.js:246:20)
```

The solution is to follow our guide on adding [CORS support](/docs/guides/functions/cors).

It is also important to note that if any error occurs before the CORS check can be satisfied, the browser may falsely report CORS as the reason a request failed:

```js
// returns before the CORS check can be satisfied
return

if (req.method === 'OPTIONS') {
  return new Response('ok', { headers: corsHeaders })
}
```

So, when encountering these errors, it is still important to check the logs or run the request outside the browser to make sure it is the primary factor and not a side-effect of a larger issue.

## Still stuck?

- Read the [Function Error Handling guide](/docs/guides/functions/error-handling) for best practices on structuring error responses
- Review our [guide](/docs/guides/functions/debugging-tools) on local debugging with Chrome Dev Tools
- Check the [Supabase GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/orgs/supabase/discussions), [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/839993398554656828/1006358244786196510), and [Reddit page](https://www.reddit.com/r/Supabase/) for similar reports that can help with debugging
- Open a [support ticket](/dashboard/support/new) from your Dashboard if the issue persists and you believe it is a platform limitation