How to Fix JWT Authorization Issues between React and Node.js Using Axios

Описание: Learn how to resolve problems with sending JWT tokens from a React client to a Node/Express backend using Axios. Follow our detailed guide to ensure successful authorization!
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Resolving JWT Authorization Issues in Full Stack Development

As aspiring full-stack developers, dealing with token-based authorization can be a daunting task—especially when things don’t seem to work as expected. Today, we will discuss a common issue faced by many developers: sending a jwtToken from a React client to a Node.js/Express backend using Axios. If you’ve encountered the error message showcasing a 403 Forbidden status, then this guide is dedicated to helping you troubleshoot and fix that problem.

The Problem

When sending a JWT token from your React application to a Node.js backend via Axios, you may receive the following error messages:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This issue may arise due to a misconfiguration in your setup, particularly with the way headers are structured in your Axios request. If you’ve tried tools like Postman and found that the API works fine without any authorization, the issue lies in how the authorization token is being sent from your React client.

Explanation of the Solution

1. Understanding the Code Structure

To effectively troubleshoot, let’s look at the different parts of your code, both client-side and server-side.

Server Side: Authorization Middleware

In your authorization.js file, the middleware checks for the token header as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This code attempts to access the token using the header named token. However, your authorization header from the client is expected in the Authorization format.

Client Side: Axios Request

In your hotel.js file of the client, the token is set in the following manner:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Here, you’re correctly setting the Authorization header, encapsulating your token within it.

2. The Fix: Update the Middleware

The solution lies in modifying your middleware to correctly access the Authorization header instead of a nonexistent token header. Adjust the authorization.js file as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This slight change ensures that the middleware accurately retrieves the JWT token sent from your React client.

3. Testing Your Changes

After making the updates:

Save your changes in the authorization.js file.

Restart your Node.js server to apply the changes.

Try sending your request again from the React client.

If everything is set up correctly, you should no longer see the 403 Forbidden error, and your API should work successfully.

Conclusion

Dealing with JWT tokens can be tricky at times, especially when building a full stack application. However, with a clearer understanding of how headers should be structured in your requests and responses, resolving these issues can become manageable.

In this guide, we highlighted the importance of correctly naming your headers and provided a straight path to rectify a common mistake encountered in full stack development involving JWT authorization.

Stay curious, keep coding, and happy learning!