Webpack Module parse failed

Many Webpack Module Parse Error errors in Node.js trace back to incorrect async patterns rather than the surface-level error the message describes. Node.js's single-threaded event loop means blocking operations, unhandled rejections, and incorrect await placement all manifest as confusing runtime errors. The most common async mistake: calling an async function without await and then using its return value synchronously. The function returns a Promise object, not the resolved value, causing downstream operations to fail with Webpack Module Parse Error. A second pattern: forgetting that Array.forEach does not handle async callbacks — promises returned by the callback are not awaited. Replace with for...of loops or Promise.all(items.map(async item => ...)). For callback-style APIs (older Node.js APIs), use util.promisify to convert them to promises rather than mixing callback and promise styles. Use Node.js's built-in --trace-warnings flag and --unhandled-rejections=throw to surface hidden async errors that lead to Webpack Module Parse Error.