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Why is my ES6 module import failing in the browser, but working with Node.js?

Asked on Dec 02, 2025

Answer

When an ES6 module import fails in the browser but works in Node.js, it's often due to differences in how modules are handled between these environments. Browsers require specific configurations to support ES6 modules. Here's a simple example of how to correctly import an ES6 module in the browser:

<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
        <!-- index.html -->
        <script type="module">
            import { myFunction } from './myModule.js';
            myFunction();
        </script>
        <!-- END COPY / PASTE -->

Additional Comment:

Ensure the script tag uses "type='module'" to enable ES6 module support in the browser.
The file path in the import statement should be relative or absolute and must include the ".js" extension.
Make sure the server is serving the files correctly, as some browsers block module imports from local files due to CORS restrictions.
Node.js uses CommonJS by default, so it handles imports differently unless configured to use ES modules.

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Ask any question about JavaScript here... and get an instant response.

Why is my ES6 module import failing in the browser, but working with Node.js?

Asked on Dec 02, 2025

Answer

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