I am using this JavaScript code to remove a couple elements from the page, but it's not working. When I inspect the code with Opera Dragonfly it says something like:

Uncaught exception: Error: WRONG_ARGUMENTS_ERR

and points to the file and function name.

The weird thing is that I use the exact same code in another function on the same page and it works without problem. The code is very small and simple:

var docBody = document.getElementById("body");
if(document.getElementById("marginDiv")){
  docBody.removeChild("marginDiv");
}

Both body and marginDiv exist on the page. My goal is to make the thumbnails disappear when one clicks the background.

I am using this JavaScript code to remove a couple elements from the page, but it's not working. When I inspect the code with Opera Dragonfly it says something like:

Uncaught exception: Error: WRONG_ARGUMENTS_ERR

and points to the file and function name.

The weird thing is that I use the exact same code in another function on the same page and it works without problem. The code is very small and simple:

var docBody = document.getElementById("body");
if(document.getElementById("marginDiv")){
  docBody.removeChild("marginDiv");
}

Both body and marginDiv exist on the page. My goal is to make the thumbnails disappear when one clicks the background.

• javascript
• removechild

Share Improve this question Follow edited Jan 20, 2018 at 5:06 BSMP 4,80788 gold badges3535 silver badges4545 bronze badges asked May 3, 2012 at 14:28 Leandro ZhuzhiLeandro Zhuzhi 31411 gold badge77 silver badges1818 bronze badges

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4 Answers 4

Sorted by: Reset to default 9

You're trying to remove a string. A string is hardly an HTML element. You're also relying on marginDiv being a direct child of body, which may not be the case.

Instead, try this:

var remove = document.getElementById('marginDiv');
if( remove) remove.parentNode.removeChild(remove);

Try

docBody.removeChild(document.getElementById("marginDiv"));

removeChild needs a reference to a DOM element, not a string. Try this:

var docBody = document.getElementById("body");
var marginDiv = document.getElementById("marginDiv");

if(marginDiv)){
docBody.removeChild(marginDiv);
}

if(document.getElementById("marginDiv")){
  docBody.removeChild("marginDiv");
}

you have to check if specified element exist marginDiv exist, then removechild(...)