How to Resolve npm Command Not Found Error in Node.js - GeeksforGeeks (2024)

The npm Command Not Found error typically occurs when your system is unable to locate the npm (Node Package Manager) command.

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

Understanding “npm Command Not Found ” 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.

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

The “npm Command Not Found” error usually results from Node.js not being installed, or the npm executable not being in your system’s PATH. Ensure Node.js is installed, check your PATH configuration, and reinstall Node.js if necessary. This should resolve the issue and allow you to use npm commands.