Link to the code that reproduces this issue

https://github.com/abdonrd/nextjs-header-could-not-be-parsed

To Reproduce

1. Clone the reproduction repository and install dependencies with Next.js 16.1.x (already pinned in package.json):

   git clone https://github.com/abdonrd/nextjs-header-could-not-be-parsed
   cd nextjs-header-could-not-be-parsed
   npm install
   npm run build && npm start

2. Open http://localhost:3000 in a browser and keep it open.
3. Upgrade Next.js to 16.2.x, rebuild, and restart the server (simulating a new deployment):

   npm install next@canary
   npm run build && npm start

4. Without refreshing the browser, click the About link in the navigation.

The 500 Internal Server Error is thrown and navigation fails:

⨯ Error: The router state header was sent but could not be parsed.
    at ignore-listed frames

Current vs. Expected behavior

Current: Clicking a <Link> after a new deployment (upgrading from 16.1 to 16.2) throws an unhandled error in the console and navigation fails:

Error: The router state header was sent but could not be parsed

The error only reproduces when at least one layout or page is dynamically rendered. In this repo the root layout calls cookies(), which opts it into dynamic rendering. Removing that call (making the layout static) prevents the error.

Expected: Soft navigation works normally after a deployment.

Provide environment information

Operating System:
  Platform: darwin
  Arch: arm64
  Version: Darwin Kernel Version 25.3.0: Wed Jan 28 20:54:46 PST 2026; root:xnu-12377.91.3~2/RELEASE_ARM64_T6000
  Available memory (MB): 65536
  Available CPU cores: 10
Binaries:
  Node: 24.14.1
  npm: 11.7.0
  Yarn: 1.22.19
  pnpm: 10.33.0
Relevant Packages:
  next: 16.2.1-canary.45
  eslint-config-next: N/A
  react: 19.2.5
  react-dom: 19.2.5
  typescript: 5.9.3
Next.js Config:
  output: N/A

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

Cookies, Headers, Linking and Navigating

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

next start (local), Other (Deployed)

Additional context

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a2b67b7c-862b-4d09-b67e-5fe6602e411d

The format or encoding of this header appears to have changed between 16.1 and 16.2. When the server (running 16.2) receives a header encoded by the 16.1 client, it fails to parse it and throws instead of falling back to a full navigation.

The issue is latent until a new deployment is made, because that is when the server version changes while clients still carry stale 16.1 router state. Dynamic routes/layouts are more likely to trigger this path because they always go to the server for RSC payloads, whereas fully static pages may be served from cache without header validation.