---
title: '`getInitialProps` was defined as an instance method'
---

## Why This Error Occurred

`getInitialProps` must be a static method in order to be called by next.js.

## Possible Ways to Fix It

Use the static keyword.

```js filename="pages/example.js"
export default class YourEntryComponent extends React.Component {
  static getInitialProps() {
    return {}
  }

  render() {
    return 'foo'
  }
}
```

or

```js filename="pages/example.js"
const YourEntryComponent = function () {
  return 'foo'
}

YourEntryComponent.getInitialProps = () => {
  return {}
}

export default YourEntryComponent
```

## Useful Links

- [Fetching data and component lifecycle](/docs/pages/api-reference/functions/get-initial-props)
