Runtime Error: invariant expected layout router to be mounted in fresh Next.js 15.3.2 project

[Dushmanthr]

Link to the code that reproduces this issue

https://github.com/Dushmanthr/next_demo.git

To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. npx create-next-app@latest
2. Accept all default options
3. cd my-app
4. npm run dev
5. See error in browser console

Current vs. Expected behavior

Expected behavior

Fresh Next.js project should run without errors

Current behavior

Provide environment information

- OS: Widows 10
- Node version: v18.20.2
- npm version: 10.5.0
- Browser: Chrome, Edge

Which area(s) are affected? (Select all that apply)

Runtime

Which stage(s) are affected? (Select all that apply)

next dev (local)

Additional context

• I've tried:
  • Creating multiple new projects
  • Different Node.js versions
  • Clearing caches
  • Different browsers
• The error persists across all attempts

package.json

[Dushmanthr]

was anyone experiencing with this issue?

[icyJoseph]

Mm well, then I got nothing, if a project made with the create-next-app just fails immediately, it has to be something with your environment. I'd verify that you haven't accidentally installed Next.js as a global package maybe...

What's the path to the projects you are working? Or rather, does it work if you create the projects in another directory?

[Dushmanthr]

Project is created on F partition folder. when fresh project runs, the home screen appears for a second and this error pop up.
and I have another point, that folder has previously made one project. It's successfully run without errors

[bukolaAce]

have you found a solution to this cos im currently having this error

[OlolaJaco]

has anyone been able to fix this?

[icyJoseph]

Hi, one problem has been that it only seems to happen under very specific conditions. @OlolaJaco do you have a screenshot of the error happening to you? I'd be interested to see Next.js, NodeJS versions and OS. How are you starting the project? Is WSL used at all?