How to fix useDeferredValue is not available in this React build in React

ReactBEGINNERMEDIUMUpdated Dec 10, 2025· 87 views

React throws "useDeferredValue is not available in this React build" when the hook is imported while the project still ships a React 17 (or earlier) runtime that never defined the hook.

Quick fix

Fixes useDeferredValue is not available in this React build

npm list react react-dom
  1. Confirm the React build that ships with your app
  2. Upgrade React and ReactDOM to version 18
  3. Update TypeScript definitions if you use TypeScript
  4. Switch your root render path to the new createRoot API
react — error
npm list react react-dom
useDeferredValue is not available in this React build

What this error means

useDeferredValue was added in the React 18 concurrent rendering release. Only React 18+ builds export the hook implementation, and the dispatcher uses a feature flag that stays false in older builds (React 17 or custom legacy bundles). When your code tries to call useDeferredValue on a React runtime that predates the hook, React throws this error before rendering any of the affected component tree. The hook simply does not exist in earlier releases, so you can no longer rely on the API until you upgrade the React build that ships with your app.

Typical symptoms

  • Runtime exception: "useDeferredValue is not available in this React build" during initial render or hydrate.
  • Import, bundler, or TypeScript errors that say useDeferredValue does not exist on type typeof React.
  • Components that call React.useDeferredValue fail to mount and prevent the entire tree from rendering.
  • Tests that import useDeferredValue from React crash before running assertions.
  • Additional concurrent hooks (useTransition, useId, etc.) surface similar "not available in this build" errors, showing the runtime is out-of-date.

Common causes

  1. Project dependencies still pin React 17.x or an earlier release that does not include the hook.
  2. React and ReactDOM versions are mismatched, so even though the code targets React 18, the runtime stuck in React 17 throws the error.
  3. node_modules was not cleared after upgrading, so the bundler continues to resolve an older React build.
  4. Monorepo or workspace hoists an older React build from another package, leaving your app with multiple versions.
  5. A framework, template, or CDN script locks React at 17.x while your custom components expect React 18 APIs.
  6. TypeScript @types/react is still on React 17, making editors flag or auto-import the wrong hook (even if the runtime is correct).

How to fix "useDeferredValue is not available in this React build"

1Confirm the React build that ships with your app

Run the following and confirm both packages resolve to React 18+:

bash
npm list react react-dom

Or if you use Yarn:

bash
yarn list react react-dom

The commands must report version 18.0.0 or later. Any 17.x entry shows the build will keep using an older dispatcher, so the hook cannot exist.

2Upgrade React and ReactDOM to version 18

Both packages are bundled together, so update them at the same time to avoid mismatched hooks:

bash
npm install react@18 react-dom@18

Or with Yarn:

bash
yarn add react@18 react-dom@18

If you want the latest patch release, use @latest. Avoid mixing 17.x and 18.x in production.

3Update TypeScript definitions if you use TypeScript

TypeScript and editor tooling depend on @types/react matching the React runtime. Upgrade the definitions as well:

bash
npm install --save-dev @types/react@18 @types/react-dom@18

Or with Yarn:

bash
yarn add -D @types/react@18 @types/react-dom@18

This makes sure your type checker knows useDeferredValue exists.

4Switch your root render path to the new createRoot API

React 18 enables concurrent features only when you call createRoot from react-dom/client. Update your entry file:

Before (React 17):

javascript
import ReactDOM from 'react-dom';
import App from './App';

ReactDOM.render(<App />, document.getElementById('root'));

After (React 18):

javascript
import { createRoot } from 'react-dom/client';
import App from './App';

const root = createRoot(document.getElementById('root'));
root.render(<App />);

Without createRoot, the React build stays in legacy mode and concurrent hooks like useDeferredValue remain disabled.

5Clear caches and reinstall dependencies

Sometimes npm or Yarn keeps resolving the old React build. Remove node_modules and the lockfile, then reinstall:

bash
rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json
npm install

With Yarn:

bash
rm -rf node_modules yarn.lock
yarn install

That forces a clean install of React 18 instead of reusing cached packages.

6Ensure only one React version is hoisted in workspaces

Monorepos, pnpm, or Yarn workspaces can hoist an older React release from another package. Run:

bash
npm ls react

or

bash
yarn why react

Look for a single 18.x tree. If you see 17.x dependencies, use pnpm overrides, Yarn resolutions, or npm overrides to force every package to resolve React 18. If you use pnpm, also check that nodeLinker is set to node-modules when needed.

Advanced notes

For framework users (Next.js, Remix, CRA, Vite), make sure that the framework version you run ships React 18 by default. Older Next.js versions (pre-13) still pin React 17, so upgrade the framework or override its transitive React dependency.

When the error surfaces alongside other concurrent hooks (useTransition, useId, useInsertionEffect), it is a strong signal that the build simply does not understand React 18 yet.

If you have to stay on React 17 temporarily, you can emulate deferred updates by debouncing state changes with useEffect, but you cannot import useDeferredValue without upgrading. Keep your lockfiles and CI scripts synced so a single React version is installed across all environments.

Frequently asked questions

What does "useDeferredValue is not available in this React build" mean?
useDeferredValue was added in the React 18 concurrent rendering release. Only React 18+ builds export the hook implementation, and the dispatcher uses a feature flag that stays false in older builds (React 17 or custom legacy bundles). When your code tries to call useDeferredValue on a React runtime that predates the hook, React throws this error before rendering any of the affected component tree.
How do I fix "useDeferredValue is not available in this React build"?
React throws "useDeferredValue is not available in this React build" when the hook is imported while the project still ships a React 17 (or earlier) runtime that never defined the hook.
What causes "useDeferredValue is not available in this React build"?
Project dependencies still pin React 17.x or an earlier release that does not include the hook. React and ReactDOM versions are mismatched, so even though the code targets React 18, the runtime stuck in React 17 throws the error. node_modules was not cleared after upgrading, so the bundler continues to resolve an older React build.
Is the "useDeferredValue is not available in this React build" error serious?
It is a medium-severity error — more of a blocker than a risk. The steps above resolve it.

Official resources & further reading