Improve error messages in utils

**Problem**
When working with components, the error messages could be more descriptive.

**Suggestion**
Improve error handling and add detailed error messages.

**Context**
This would help with debugging and maintenance.

The issue does not name a file, test, or specific component. Start by locating the utils and component error-handling paths, then review the current messages and their callers. Done means the relevant errors provide more descriptive debugging context without changing their intended behavior.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.