✅ Answer

You're on the right track with your use of findOneAndUpdate in Mongoose! The { new: true } option is indeed intended to return the updated document. If you're still receiving the old document, there are a few potential reasons for this behavior.

📦 Possible Reasons for Not Returning the Updated Document

1. Mongoose Version: Ensure that you are using a version of Mongoose that supports the { new: true } option. This option has been available for a long time, but if you're using an outdated version, it might not work as expected.

2. Middleware or Hooks: If you have any pre or post hooks (middleware) defined on your schema, they might be affecting the update operation. For example, a pre-update hook could be modifying the document before it is saved.

3. Query Conditions: Double-check the query conditions. If the document with the specified _id does not exist or if the update operation fails for any reason, Mongoose will return the original document.

4. Database Connection Issues: Ensure that your connection to the MongoDB database is stable. Connection issues can sometimes lead to unexpected behavior.

5. Return Value: Make sure that you are correctly awaiting the result of the findOneAndUpdate call. If you are not awaiting it properly, you might be accessing the result before the operation completes.

🛠 Example Code

Here’s a refined version of your code to ensure everything is set up correctly:

1const updatedUser = await User.findOneAndUpdate(
2  { _id: userId },
3  { $set: { name: "New Name" } },
4  { new: true, runValidators: true } // Added runValidators to ensure validation
5);

1const updatedUser = await User.findOneAndUpdate(
2  { _id: userId },
3  { $set: { name: "New Name" } },
4  { new: true, runValidators: true } // Added runValidators to ensure validation
5);

✅ Final Thoughts

If you've checked all the above points and are still facing issues, consider logging the result of the update operation or any errors that might occur. This can provide more insight into what might be going wrong. If you need further assistance, feel free to ask!

✅ Answer

The behavior you're describing usually stems from a few possible issues. You're almost there with your code — but let's break it down.

🔍 Common Cause

In Mongoose, the option { new: true } does tell Mongoose to return the updated document rather than the original. However, if you're still seeing the old document, here are a few things to check:

✅ 1. Are You Using Mongoose Properly?

Your code looks good:

1const updatedUser = await User.findOneAndUpdate(
2  { _id: userId },
3  { $set: { name: "New Name" } },
4  { new: true }
5);
6

1const updatedUser = await User.findOneAndUpdate(
2  { _id: userId },
3  { $set: { name: "New Name" } },
4  { new: true }
5);
6

Make sure:

• You're not accidentally shadowing updatedUser with another variable elsewhere.
• The update operation is actually matching a document (i.e., the userId exists).
• You're not connected to a very old version of Mongoose or MongoDB.

🧪 2. Check Your Mongoose Version

Older versions of Mongoose (pre-v4.x) defaulted differently for new, but if you're on a modern version (v5+), { new: true } is the right way.

You can check your version with:

1npm list mongoose
2

1npm list mongoose
2

🧼 3. Use returnOriginal in Native MongoDB

If you're working directly with the MongoDB Node.js driver, note that the equivalent option is called returnDocument: "after" (previously returnOriginal: false):

1collection.findOneAndUpdate(
2  { _id: userId },
3  { $set: { name: "New Name" } },
4  { returnDocument: "after" } // Not "returnOriginal" anymore
5);
6

1collection.findOneAndUpdate(
2  { _id: userId },
3  { $set: { name: "New Name" } },
4  { returnDocument: "after" } // Not "returnOriginal" anymore
5);
6

Mongoose abstracts this as new: true.

🛠 Bonus Tip: Set runValidators

When using findOneAndUpdate, Mongoose doesn't run schema validators by default. You can enable them like this:

1{ new: true, runValidators: true }
2

1{ new: true, runValidators: true }
2

Always a good idea if you're updating fields with constraints.

✅ Final Thoughts

Your code is mostly correct — just ensure:

• The document exists.
• You're on a modern Mongoose version.
• No shadowing or typos.
• You're not confusing native MongoDB driver options with Mongoose ones.