TypeError: Cannot read property 'ref' of undefined

Question

I am trying to use Firebase in my Nodejs project but I keep getting an error and I cannot figure it out.

my firebase.ts

import firebase from 'firebase/app'
import "firebase/database"
const config = {
  apiKey: "xxxxx",
  authDomain: "xxxx.firebaseapp.com",
  databaseURL: "https://xxxxx.firebaseio.com",
  projectId: "xxxxx",
  storageBucket: "xxxxx.appspot.com",
  messagingSenderId: "xxxxx",
  appId: "xxxxx"
};
firebase.initializeApp(config);
export const databaseRef = firebase.database();
export default firebase;

index.ts

export * from './firebase';

Where it is used

import { databaseRef } from '../../common/services/firebase'

await databaseRef.ref('dummy')

I got this error

TypeError: Cannot read property 'ref' of undefined

The init code and database creation looks correct but your export is fine as well. That leads me to believe the databaseRef is undefined after the `firebase.database()` call. Have you tried logging that variable in the `firebase.ts` file? — Special Character, Jan 12 '21 at 20:09
Does this answer your question? [Cannot read property 'ref' of undefined](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/47253938/cannot-read-property-ref-of-undefined) — Biswajit Panday, Jan 12 '21 at 20:11
@BiswajitPanday the solution there is similar to what I have here. — King, Jan 12 '21 at 20:13

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 12 '21 at 21:05

Instead of exporting firebase.database() first, try exporting firebase.initializeApp(config)

If the file is to be loaded a second time, check for the existing firebase app instance first.

I am using Firebase Cloud Messaging but the logic should be similar:

// Dependencies
const firebase = require('firebase-admin');

// Service account creds
const serviceAccount = require('../../creds/creds.json');

// Initalize the firebase app
const config = {
    credential: firebase.credential.cert(serviceAccount),
};

// Check for existing firebase app instance
if (!firebase.apps.length) {
    // Create a new one if there is none
    const fb = firebase.initializeApp(config);
    module.exports = { fb, };
} else {
    // otherwise export the existing one
    const fb = firebase.app();
    module.exports = { fb, };
}

TypeError: Cannot read property 'ref' of undefined

1 Answers1