How to fix SyntaxError: await is only valid in async function in Node.js

What this error means

This syntax error indicates that you're trying to use the `await` keyword in a location where JavaScript doesn't allow it. The `await` operator can only be used in specific contexts: inside async functions, async generator functions, or at the top level of ES modules. The reason for this restriction is fundamental to how JavaScript handles asynchronous code. When you use `await`, it pauses the execution of the surrounding async context while waiting for a Promise to resolve, but it never blocks the entire JavaScript runtime. Other tasks can continue running. This behavior is only possible within an async context that the JavaScript engine knows how to pause and resume. In Node.js, this error commonly appears when developers forget to mark a function as async, use await in regular callback functions, or try to use await in CommonJS modules without proper setup.

Typical symptoms

• Code fails to parse or run with a SyntaxError message
• Application crashes immediately on startup before any code executes
• Error points to a line with an await keyword
• IDE or linter shows syntax highlighting errors around await statements
• Build tools fail with parsing errors during compilation

Common causes

1. Using await inside a regular function that is not marked with the async keyword
2. Using await in a callback function (like forEach, map, filter) without making the callback async
3. Attempting to use await at the top level of a CommonJS script without ES module support
4. Using await inside a constructor function (constructors cannot be async)
5. Using await in a class method that is not marked as async
6. Missing "type": "module" in package.json when using top-level await in .js files

How to fix "SyntaxError: await is only valid in async function"

function fetchData() {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await response.json();
  return data;
}

async function fetchData() {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await response.json();
  return data;
}

// Arrow function
const getData = async () => {
  const result = await fetchData();
  return result;
};

// Class method
class DataService {
  async loadData() {
    const data = await this.fetch();
    return data;
  }
}

async function processItems(items) {
  items.forEach(item => {
    const result = await processItem(item); // Error!
    console.log(result);
  });
}

async function processItems(items) {
  for (const item of items) {
    const result = await processItem(item);
    console.log(result);
  }
}

async function processItems(items) {
  await Promise.all(
    items.map(async (item) => {
      const result = await processItem(item);
      console.log(result);
    })
  );
}

{
  "type": "module"
}

// This now works at the top level
const data = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
console.log(await data.json());

mv script.js script.mjs

// CommonJS (old)
const fs = require('fs');

// ES module (new)
import fs from 'fs';

(async () => {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await response.json();
  console.log(data);
})();

(async () => {
  try {
    const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
    const data = await response.json();
    console.log(data);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error:', error);
  }
})();

const result = await someAsyncFunction();
console.log(result);

someAsyncFunction()
  .then(result => {
    console.log(result);
  })
  .catch(error => {
    console.error(error);
  });

Advanced notes

class DataService {
  constructor(data) {
    this.data = data;
  }

  static async create() {
    const data = await fetchInitialData();
    return new DataService(data);
  }
}

// Usage
const service = await DataService.create();

# Check package.json
grep '"type"' package.json

# If not found, you're using CommonJS by default

Frequently asked questions

What does "ERR_PARSE" mean?

This syntax error indicates that you're trying to use the await keyword in a location where JavaScript doesn't allow it. The await operator can only be used in specific contexts: inside async functions, async generator functions, or at the top level of ES modules. The reason for this restriction is fundamental to how JavaScript handles asynchronous code.

How do I fix "ERR_PARSE"?

This error occurs when the await keyword is used outside of an async function context. JavaScript requires await to be inside async functions, async generators, or ES module top-level code to properly handle asynchronous operations.

What causes "ERR_PARSE"?

Using await inside a regular function that is not marked with the async keyword Using await in a callback function (like forEach, map, filter) without making the callback async Attempting to use await at the top level of a CommonJS script without ES module support

Is the "ERR_PARSE" error serious?

It is a medium-severity error — more of a blocker than a risk. The steps above resolve it.

Related errors

• Error: Backpressure: queue size exceeded (async operations piling up)

  Backpressure: queue size exceeded (async operations piling up)

  HIGH

• AssertionError: Assertion failed (assert.strictEqual failed)

  AssertionError: Assertion failed in assert.strictEqual

  MEDIUM

• Error: Backpressure detected - stream buffer full (data not drained)

  Backpressure detected - stream buffer full

  HIGH

• AbortError: The operation was aborted (abort signal)

  The operation was aborted

  MEDIUM

• Error: zlib error Z_DATA_ERROR (corrupted compressed data)

  Z_DATA_ERROR: Corrupted compressed data

  MEDIUM

• Error: Could not find package.json in current directory (npm module resolution)

  How to fix "Could not find package.json in current directory" in Node.js

  MEDIUM

Official resources & further reading

• 📚Node.js Official Documentation
• 📖
  MDN: SyntaxError - await is only valid in async functions(Official Docs)
• 📖
  MDN: async function reference(Official Docs)
• 📖
  MDN: await operator reference(Official Docs)
• 📖
  V8: Top-level await feature documentation(Official Docs)
• 📖
  Node.js: Top-level await in ES modules(Official Docs)