How to Solve "removeEventListener" that Does Not Work in JavaScript

One of the most common and frustrating issues in JavaScript DOM manipulation is when a call to removeEventListener() silently fails, leaving an unwanted event listener active. This can lead to bugs, memory leaks, and unpredictable behavior. The cause is almost always the same: you are not passing the exact same function reference to removeEventListener that you originally passed to addEventListener.

This guide will explain this fundamental requirement in detail, show you how to correctly remove listeners, and cover the common pitfalls involving anonymous functions and the .bind() method.

The Golden Rule: You Must Use the Same Function Reference

To successfully remove an event listener, the removeEventListener() method requires two main arguments to match the original addEventListener() call:

1. The event type (e.g., 'click').
2. A reference to the exact same function object that was originally bound.

Two functions that look identical are still two separate objects in memory.

Example of the problem (incorrect logic)

const myButton = document.getElementById('my-btn');

// These two functions look the same, but they are different objects.
function myCallback() { console.log('clicked'); }
function myCallback2() { console.log('clicked'); }

myButton.addEventListener('click', myCallback);

// This will FAIL because myCallback2 is not the same function as myCallback.
myButton.removeEventListener('click', myCallback2);

The Problem: Anonymous Functions

This is the most frequent cause of the issue. When you pass an anonymous function (a function defined "inline") to addEventListener(), you have no reference to it, making it impossible to remove later.

Example of the problem:

const myButton = document.getElementById('my-btn');

// Add a listener with an anonymous arrow function.
myButton.addEventListener('click', () => {
  console.log('Button was clicked!');
});

// This will FAIL. The arrow function here is a completely new function,
// different from the one used above.
myButton.removeEventListener('click', () => {
  console.log('Button was clicked!');
});

note

Because there is no way to get a reference to the original anonymous function, this event listener can never be removed.

The Solution: Use a Named or Assigned Function

To make an event listener removable, you must declare it in a way that gives you a persistent reference to it.

Solution: define your event handler as a separate function, either with a function declaration or by assigning it to a variable.

const myButton = document.getElementById('my-btn');

// Define the event handler function and store a reference to it.
const handleButtonClick = () => {
  console.log('Button was clicked!');
};

// 1. Add the listener using the function reference.
myButton.addEventListener('click', handleButtonClick);

// ... later in your code ...

// 2. Remove the listener using the exact same function reference.
myButton.removeEventListener('click', handleButtonClick);

note

Because handleButtonClick points to the exact same function object in both calls, the removal is successful.

A Common Pitfall: The .bind() Method

The .bind() method is often used to set the this context for an event handler. However, a critical feature of .bind() is that it returns a new function every time it's called. This can easily reintroduce the original problem.

Example of the problem:

class MyComponent {
  constructor(button) {
    this.button = button;
    this.message = 'Component button clicked!';
    
    // This adds a listener to a NEW function created by .bind().
    this.button.addEventListener('click', this.handleClick.bind(this));
  }
  
  handleClick() {
    console.log(this.message);
  }
  
  removeListener() {
    // This FAILS because .bind(this) creates another NEW function.
    // The two bound functions are not the same reference.
    this.button.removeEventListener('click', this.handleClick.bind(this));
  }
}

Solution: if you need to use .bind(), call it once in the constructor and store the resulting bound function in a property. Then, use that same property for both adding and removing the listener.

class MyComponent {
  constructor(button) {
    this.button = button;
    this.message = 'Component button clicked!';
    
    // 1. Create the bound function ONCE and store it.
    this.boundHandleClick = this.handleClick.bind(this);
    
    // 2. Add the listener using the stored reference.
    this.button.addEventListener('click', this.boundHandleClick);
  }
  
  handleClick() {
    console.log(this.message);
  }
  
  removeListener() {
    // 3. Remove the listener using the SAME stored reference.
    this.button.removeEventListener('click', this.boundHandleClick);
    console.log('Listener removed!');
  }
}

Conclusion

The removeEventListener method is strict and unforgiving. If it's not working, the reason is almost certainly a function reference mismatch.

To ensure your listeners can be removed:

• Never use an anonymous function (() => {}) if you plan to remove the listener later.
• Always declare your event handler as a named function or assign it to a variable.
• Use that exact same variable or function name when calling both addEventListener and removeEventListener.
• If you use .bind(), store the bound function in a variable and reuse that variable.