Typeerror google.maps.places is undefined

If you are working with the Google Maps API, you may have encountered a common error which is Typeerror google.maps.places is undefined

This error usually occurs if developers are trying to access the Places library of the Google Maps API but forget to load it properly.

In this article, we will show you how to fix the TypeError “google.maps.places is undefined” error step-by-step.

Common Causes of the Error

The following are the common causes of the error google.maps.places is undefined:

  • You forget to load the Places library of the Google Maps API.
  • You load the Places library before the Google Maps API.
  • You are using an incorrect API key.
  • It is possible that it is network issues that prevent the Places library from loading.

Also, read the following articles that will be able to help to understand more about Typeerror:

How to fix the TypeError google.maps.places is Undefined” Error?

Here are the solutions to solve the TypeError google.maps.places is undefined error:

Method 1: Check if the Places Library is Loaded Correctly

The first method to solve this error is to make sure that the Places library is loaded correctly.

You can check this by adding the following code snippet to your JavaScript file:

if (typeof google !== "undefined" && typeof google.maps !== "undefined") {
  // Google Maps API is loaded
  if (typeof google.maps.places !== "undefined") {
    // Places library is loaded
  } else {
    // Places library is not loaded
  }
} else {
  // Google Maps API is not loaded
}

Method 2: Load the Places Library

If the Places library is not loaded, you need to load it before you can use it.

To load the Places library, add the following code to your HTML file:

<script src="https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?key=YOUR_API_KEY&libraries=places"></script>

You will make sure to replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual API key. If you do not have an API key, you can obtain it through following the instructions on the Google Cloud Platform Console.

Method 3: Use the Places Library

Once the Places library is loaded, you can use it in your JavaScript code.

Here is an example of how to use the Places library to search for places:

var service = new google.maps.places.PlacesService(map);

service.textSearch({
  query: 'restaurant',
  location: new google.maps.LatLng(-33.8670522, 151.1957362),
  radius: 5000
}, callback);

function callback(results, status) {
  if (status == google.maps.places.PlacesServiceStatus.OK) {
    for (var i = 0; i < results.length; i++) {
      var place = results[i];
      // Do something

Method 4: Check for Other Errors

If you have followed the above steps and it is not working, it is possible that there might be other errors in your code.

Here are some things you can check for:

  • You will make sure that the Google Maps API is loaded before the Places library.
  • You need to double-check that you are using the correct API key.
  • Check your network connection and ensure that there are no network issues preventing the Places library from loading.

Conclusion

The “TypeError: google.maps.places is undefined” error occurs in JavaScript program when the Google Maps API library is not properly loaded or initialized.

To resolve the error, you need to check if the places library is loaded correctly, load the places library, use the places library, and check the other errors.

FAQs

What is the Google Maps API?

The Google Maps API is a powerful tool that provides developers with a suite of location-based features, such as maps, geolocation, and place search.

What is the Places library?

The Places library is an optional library of the Google Maps API that provides information about places such as businesses, landmarks, and geographic locations.

How do I obtain an API key for the Google Maps API?

You can obtain an API key for the Google Maps API by following the instructions on the Google Cloud Platform Console.