How to Resolve npm Command Not Found Error in Node.js

Node JS is a powerful platform for building server-side applications using JavaScript. Alongside Node JS, npm (Node Package Manager) is used commonly for managing dependencies and packages within NodeJS projects.

We will discuss the following approaches to resolve the npm command not found error in NodeJS:

Error:

Sometimes users encounter the frustrating “npm command not found” error, which can halt development progress. This error typically indicates that npm is not installed properly or is not accessible in the system’s PATH. In this article, we will guide you through several troubleshooting steps to resolve the “npm command not found” error and get your NodeJS environment back up and running smoothly.

Error

Verify NodeJS Installation:

First and foremost, ensure that NodeJS is installed on your system. You can check this by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing:

node -v

If NodeJS is installed correctly, this command will display the installed version. If not, visit the official NodeJS website (https://nodejs.org/) and follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Reinstall NodeJS/npm:

Sometimes, the npm command not found error occurs due to a corrupted installation. In such cases, reinstalling NodeJS/npm can resolve the issue. Here’s how:

Step 1: Uninstall NodeJS/npm completely from your system.

Step 2: Download the latest version of NodeJS from the official website.

Step 3: Follow the installation instructions provided for your operating system.

After reinstalling NodeJS, verify that npm is accessible by running:

npm -v

Check System’s PATH Configuration:

The npm command not found error often occurs when the npm executable is not included in the system’s PATH environment variable. Here’s how to verify and update the PATH configuration:

Windows:

Step 1: Open the Control Panel and navigate to System > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables.

Step 2: In the System Variables section, find the PATH variable and click Edit.

Step 3: Ensure that the directory containing npm usually (C:\Program Files\nodejs\) is included in the PATH. If not, add it.

Restart your command prompt for the changes to take effect.

macOS/Linux:

Open a terminal and edit the ~/.bashrc, ~/.bash_profile, or ~/.profile file using a text editor.

Add the following line at the end of the file:

export PATH="$PATH:/usr/local/bin/node"

Replace /usr/local/bin/node with the actual path to your NodeJS installation directory.

Save the file and execute the following command to apply the changes:

source ~/.bashrc
or
source ~/.bash_profile
or
source ~/.profile

Manual Installation of npm:

In rare cases, npm might not be installed properly even after installing NodeJS. In such scenarios, you can manually install npm using Node Version Manager (nvm) or by downloading and installing npm separately.

Using nvm:

Install nvm by following the instructions provided in the official repository (https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm).

Once nvm is installed, use it to install the desired NodeJS version, which automatically installs npm along with NodeJS.

Set the installed NodeJS version as the default.

Manual npm Installation:

Download the npm installation script from the official npm repository (https://github.com/npm/cli).

Execute the installation script using NodeJS. This will install npm globally on your system.

Permissions and Ownership:

Ensure that the directories where npm is installed have the correct permissions and ownership. Sometimes, permission issues can prevent npm from being accessed or executed properly. You may need to use administrator or superuser privileges to resolve permission-related errors.

Conclusion

Encountering the “npm command not found” error can be frustrating, but with the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the issue effectively. By verifying your NodeJS installation, checking the system’s PATH configuration, and taking appropriate actions, you can ensure that npm is accessible and ready to use for managing dependencies in your NodeJS projects.