Resolving Playwright Test Failures in TypeScript Debug Mode on Visual Studio Code

Published: 07 April 2025
on channel: vlogize

Discover how to address the issue of Playwright tests failing in debug mode while using TypeScript in Visual Studio Code. Learn the importance of using async/await for smoother test execution and debugging.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/76790794/ asked by the user 'MorkPork' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2148461/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/76823476/ provided by the user 'Gabriele Petrioli' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/128165/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Troubleshooting Playwright Test Failures in TypeScript Debug Mode

If you’ve recently encountered issues running your Playwright tests written in TypeScript within Visual Studio Code, specifically where tests seem to fail without a clear reason while debugging, you’re not alone. This common pitfall can disrupt your development flow, especially if you are new to TypeScript or Playwright. Let’s explore the root cause of these failures and how to resolve them efficiently.

The Problem

You may be attempting to call a method from a secondary TypeScript file that organizes API calls. While the individual API call works seamlessly when called directly, the aggregated method does not yield the expected results when executed in debug mode.

During a debug session, the test may abruptly terminate, returning an error that can leave developers scratching their heads. For instance, you might encounter an error that reads:

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

This error arises due to the improper handling of promises in asynchronous functions.

Understanding the Issue

The crux of the problem lies in how asynchronous functions operate in JavaScript (and thus, TypeScript):

Asynchronous Functions: When you declare a function with async, it automatically wraps its return value in a Promise.

Await Keyword: To gain the actual result returned from such a function, you must use the await keyword.

Illustrative Example

Consider the following setup:

API Calls Module:

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

Test Scenario:

In your test file, you likely have:

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

What’s Going Wrong?

The line where you're calling doAllTheThingsForMe is missing the await keyword:

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

Without it, finalResponse does not hold the actual returned response but a Promise, leading to the subsequent attempt to invoke .status() on it resulting in an error.

The Solution

To resolve this issue, simply remember to await the call to your asynchronous function. Here’s how to adjust your test:

Revised Test Code

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

Conclusion

Debugging can sometimes lead to confusing errors, especially when dealing with asynchronous operations. By ensuring you always use await when calling asynchronous functions, you can avoid missteps that lead to runtime errors and enhance the reliability of your Playwright tests.

Final Thoughts

Remembering to appropriately handle promises by using await will make your debugging experience with Playwright and TypeScript not only smoother but more enjoyable. If you continue to face issues, don’t hesitate to reach out for help, as the development community is always eager to assist!

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