this.parentNode has no properties jQuery

Ever had this error when you’re running a jQuery script?

this.parentNode has no properties jQuery

This innocuous error, in my experience comes down to two things:

  1. You are trying to get the ID of a parent object. Like if you want the form ID from knowing the name field. jQuery(“#name”).parents(“form”).attr(“id”); and the form doesn’t have the attribute of ID set.
  2. Scriptaculous , more specifically effects.js . If the effects.js is being used on the same page then this error happens. The solution is to download the latest version (1.8.1) and use that instead. You can overwrite just the effects.js from the package and you wont get the error any more!

Exciting? yes because no matter how many searches I made I couldn’t find the answer. Google groups and forums all talked about something else causing it like noConflict() or loading scriptaculous first.

Now you know. Use the latest version of Scriptaculous (if you must use it at all) with jQuery.

About Andy

This is my personal website where I (occasionally) post about things going on in the world of me. I am the creator of CommentLuv and administrator of comluv.com
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5 responses to this.parentNode has no properties jQuery


  1. *slaps forehead* Now why didn’t I think of that?

    witchypoo´s last blog post..Mining the Search Strings

  2. Hmm, is this what I could have used with that bookmarks issue?

    Dennis Edell´s last blog post..10 Effective Joint Venture Ideas To Get You Started

  3. Dennis:yup I seem to remember that being a problem a while ago. might be worth a try if you’re desperate to have the bookmarks plugin work

  4. Nope, found a better one :)

    I was just thinking how that’s the second half to the story of my life…..shortly after. LOL

    Dennis Edell´s last blog post..We Will Stay Do-Follow, But…

  5. Thanks for the great article, do you have any additional resources you can point us to to learn more?