Renderer Process Crash in Ionic App on Emulator and Device: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the Frustrating [ERROR .cc(154)]

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve encountered the dreaded Renderer Process Crash in your Ionic app, accompanied by the cryptic [ERROR .cc(154)] message. Don’t worry; you’re not alone! This error has been a thorn in the side of many a developer, but fear not, for we’re about to embark on a journey to vanquish this issue once and for all.

Understanding the Renderer Process Crash

The Renderer Process Crash occurs when the underlying Chromium engine in your Ionic app’s webview encounters an error, causing the entire app to crash. This can happen due to various reasons, including:

• Outdated or corrupted plugins
• Incompatible or faulty dependencies
• Memory leaks or excessive memory usage
• Incorrect or missing Android or iOS configurations

In this article, we’ll explore the most common causes and provide actionable solutions to resolve the Renderer Process Crash on both emulators and physical devices.

Before We Begin: Troubleshooting 101

Before diving into the fixes, make sure you’ve taken the following preliminary steps:

1. Update your Ionic CLI, Cordova, and all plugins to the latest versions.
2. Delete the `platforms` and `plugins` folders in your project directory and run `ionic cordova prepare` to rebuild them.
3. Check your app’s JavaScript code for syntax errors or inconsistencies.
4. Verify that your Android or iOS project is correctly configured and built.

Solution 1: Check for Outdated or Corrupted Plugins

Outdated or corrupted plugins can cause the Renderer Process Crash. Identify the problematic plugin by checking the error log for clues:

cordova-plugin-ionic-webview:
  "PLUGIN_VERSION": "4.2.1"
cordova-plugin-whitelist:
  "PLUGIN_VERSION": "1.3.3"
...

In this example, the `cordova-plugin-ionic-webview` plugin is outdated. Update it to the latest version:

ionic cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-ionic-webview@latest

If updating the plugin doesn’t resolve the issue, try removing and re-adding it:

ionic cordova plugin rm cordova-plugin-ionic-webview
ionic cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-ionic-webview

Solution 2: Review and Update Dependencies

Incompatible or outdated dependencies can cause the Renderer Process Crash. Review your project’s `package.json` file and update dependencies as needed:

"dependencies": {
  "cordova-android": "^9.0.0",
  "cordova-ios": "^6.2.0",
  "ionic-framework": "^4.11.10",
  ...
}

In this example, the `cordova-android` and `cordova-ios` dependencies are outdated. Update them to the latest versions:

npm install cordova-android@latest cordova-ios@latest

Solution 3: Optimize Memory Usage and Fix Leaks

Memory leaks or excessive memory usage can cause the Renderer Process Crash. Identify memory-intensive components or functions in your app and optimize them:

• Use caching mechanisms for frequently accessed data.
• Implement lazy loading for heavy assets or components.
• Avoid unnecessary computations or DOM manipulations.

Additionally, review your app’s JavaScript code for potential memory leaks:

// Avoid global variables and functions
var myGlobalVariable = 10; // BAD PRACTICE

// Use closure to prevent memory leaks
(function() {
  var myLocalVariable = 10; // GOOD PRACTICE
})();

Solution 4: Configure Android and iOS Correctly

Incorrect or missing Android or iOS configurations can cause the Renderer Process Crash. Review your project’s `config.xml` file and ensure the following:

Platform	Configuration
Android	<preference name=”AndroidLaunchMode” value=”singleTop” />
iOS	<preference name=”iosStatusBarStyle” value=”lightcontent” />

If you’re using a custom `AndroidManifest.xml` or `Info.plist` file, ensure they’re correctly configured and formatted.

Solution 5: Disable Android’s WebView Debugging

Android’s WebView debugging feature can cause the Renderer Process Crash. Disable it by adding the following to your `AndroidManifest.xml` file:

<application
  ...
  android:debuggable="false">
  ...
</application>

Solution 6: Use a Custom Renderer

If none of the above solutions work, consider using a custom renderer to bypass the Renderer Process Crash:

import { Component, Renderer } from '@angular/core';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-home',
  template: '
Home Page
'
})
export class HomePage {
  constructor(private renderer: Renderer) { }

  ngAfterViewInit() {
    this.renderer.destroy(); // Destroy the default renderer
    this.renderer = new MyCustomRenderer(); // Create a custom renderer
  }
}

class MyCustomRenderer extends Renderer {
  // Implement custom rendering logic
}

Conclusion

The Renderer Process Crash in Ionic apps can be a frustrating issue, but by following these solutions, you should be able to identify and resolve the underlying cause. Remember to:

• Update plugins and dependencies to the latest versions.
• Review and optimize memory usage and fix leaks.
• Configure Android and iOS correctly.
• Disable Android’s WebView debugging feature.
• Consider using a custom renderer as a last resort.

By applying these solutions, you should be able to banish the Renderer Process Crash from your Ionic app and provide a seamless user experience on both emulators and physical devices.

Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

Get the answers to the most common questions about Renderer Process Crash in Ionic App on Emulator and device – [ERROR .cc(154)]