The band was supposed to have played at an Estereo Picnic festival in Bogotá, Colombia, on Friday night, but Hawkins was found lifeless in his hotel room before that, local media reports.
Foo Fighters confirms the death on Twitter.
The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and premature loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins.
His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on in all of us forever, ”writes the rock band.
Dave Grohl and the other band members also ask that Hawkins' wife and children mourn in peace and that their privacy be respected.
No cause of death has been announced.
The tributes and condolences quickly began to flow in on social media.
God save Taylor.
Peace and love to his family and the band, "Beatles drummer Ringo Starr wrote on Twitter.
"Our deepest condolences to his family, his bandmates, his team, his friends and everyone who has ever been touched by the music he created with Foo Fighters," writes Nickelback.
Paul Stanely in Kiss describes how the news paralyzed him.
"Taylor was a great guy, a dad and a husband.
My thoughts go to them, Dave and the band.
What terrible news, "he wrote on Twitter.