webpack-dev-server can't find localhost

Question

I\'m trying to get started with React using webpack, but keep running into an error when I try to set up webpack-dev-server

Answer 1

In latest mac and linux os , the webpack dev server wokinnly only on adding the

host: "127.0.0.1"

inside the devServer in the webpack.config

Answer 2

Did not work for me even after restoring the hosts file and trying with a different port. The way I made it to work was to give a custom host (127.0.0.1) and port (3001 or any other available) when starting the server:

webpack-dev-server --host 127.0.0.1 --port 3001

Answer 3

Make sure your /etc/hosts file includes localhost.

Open /etc/hosts

$ sudo vi /etc/hosts

Copy and paste this, if it's missing:

127.0.0.1   localhost
255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
::1 localhost
fe80::1%lo0 localhost

Answer 4

Solved, turned out my hosts file (found under /etc/hosts on a mac) had one line missing and so webpack couldn't find localhost. I restored it to its default following these instructions and it now works!

Answer 5

The most common reason for that error is that you have something else already using that port. Try starting it on another port.

webpack-dev-server --port 3001

Answer 6

Also check if /etc/hosts have 127.0.0.1 pointing to localhost as well.