Npm command not found – How to Fix the error?

The most well-liked package management for JavaScript is the npm command. It includes NodeJS out of the box and enables the installation of numerous other packages, like React, Angular, Express, Babel, and several others. Sometimes we face an NPM command not found error. Follow this in-depth guide to learn how to fix the errors.

All javascript beginners should read this post. Should you encounter and wish to fix the “npm command not found” problem. You’ve come to the correct place. I saw the same difficulty the first time I installed the node package management. On the internet, you will find countless solutions and instructions, but I will provide you with exact instructions.

You will follow this post exactly if you do, I’m confident. The following errors will be easy for you to fix. Whichever infrastructure or operating system you are using is irrelevant.

What is NPM?

The Node Package Manager, or NPM, is the name of the NodeJS package manager. It comprises a command-line client, often known as npm, as well as the npm registry, a virtual repository for both free and premium private projects.

The registry can be reached using the client, and the packages are searchable and browsable on the npm site. Installing, updating, and uninstalling packages via the command prompt is the main function of npm.

Additionally, it has the potential to create new apps. You should first set up Node.js on your pc before you can use npm. Using npm, users can download modules from the registry after installing Node.js. You can describe the requirements for your project using package management, indicating that this tool or website needs these specific third-party modules to function (or develop). Then it will determine what they require and start downloading it for them.

What are the advantages and applications of NPM?

The benefits and applications of NPM are as follows:

• Keep track of the tools’ regional requirements.
• Manage the tools deployed globally for the project.
• Control the needs and various code editions.
• Get ready-to-use standalone utilities by downloading them.
• Package-lock.json, which NPM offers, lists every project dependency and is available.
• Recursive requirements are covered.
• The dependencies are not required to be kept in your collection; they can be built as necessary.
• The versions of such programs on which you rely can be readily specified and changed.

What causes the “NPM command not found” error?

The majority of the time, this kind of error happens when the system cannot locate the location of the npm or NodeJS installation. This may be the case if you haven’t set up the PATH to packages or downloaded npm or NodeJS on your computer.

If the npm executable file cannot be found, your computer will display the error message “command not found” as described above. Your device’s PATH environment variable must be continually updated when you set up or modify your npm edition to include the folder containing the npm executable file.

Your PATH environment variable may be incorrectly defined, which would explain why your npm command cannot be located. You must re-add the folder containing the npm executable file to the PATH variable in order to resolve this issue. However, in order to achieve this, you must first be aware of the location of your npm executable file. Windows graphical user interface can be used to set the PATH variable.

Additional Causes –

• The installation of npm is flawed
• There is no Node.js installation
• Obtaining permissions
• Installation of an outdated node version
• There isn’t a package.json file containing the dependencies.
• Failure of the integrity check

npm command not found error: fixing solutions

on Windows OS

• Install Node.js from https://nodejs.org/en/download/. 
• Choose the “Windows Installer” choice with the “.msi” suffix, then pick the 64- or 32-bit platform that best suits your needs.
• The installation process will begin after Node.js is set up. Click Next after agreeing to the terms.
• You will be prompted by the dialogue to enter the location of the Node.js installation. Any location that fits you is fine.
• You will be prompted to install extra tools in regard to Node.js in the window. If it’s not completely essential, leave it as is.
• You will be prompted to install both Node.js and Chocolatey in the window. Again, unless absolutely required, leave it as is.
• In the window, you will be asked to start downloading. Select Install. The installation process will start.
• Confirm the npm installation with the command after activation.

> npm -v

On Mac

If you are having trouble with the “npm command not found” error with the Mac OS. To be effective, I advise you to uninstall the current installation and take the following actions.

• The Node_modules folder should be removed.

> rm -rf /usr/local/lib/node_modules

• Using brew, remove Node JS from your computer.

> brew uninstall node

• Installing nodes without npm is possible.

> brew install node --without-npm
###Then####
> echo prefix=~/.npm-packages >> ~/.npmrc

• Utilizing the installation script, download the npm package.

> curl -L https://www.npmjs.com/install.sh | sh

• In Bash, establish an environment variable

> export PATH="$HOME/.npm-packages/bin:$PATH"> export PATH="$HOME/.node/bin:$PATH"

This will fix all of your macOS npm-related issues.

On Debian Linux or Ubuntu

Reinstalling Node.js and NPM again from official sources is simple when you are running Debian, Ubuntu, or some other Linux distribution centered on Debian.

• Use the following command in your port to upgrade your Debian and otherwise Ubuntu repository:

sudo apt-get update

• To activate Node JS, enter the command below into your terminal:

sudo apt-get install nodejs

• Using the command line, launch NPM by typing the following:

sudo apt-get install npm

• Using the following scripts, you may verify the editions after downloading both of them:
• Verify the node’s version:

node -v

• Verify the version of npm:

node -v

Changes to the system variable or path cause an npm error

While installing node js and npm in Windows and Ubuntu, Paths and variables are already specified by the standard. However, it doesn’t happen all the time. Or perhaps you mishandled it. You will still encounter the npm command not found issue even in that scenario.

How to check Windows 10’s npm path variable

Initially, make absolutely sure that Windows 10 has node js and npm setup. You need to carry out the subsequent actions if it is already there.

Inquire about the environment variable

• Hit open after entering “environment variable” in the search window.
• Throughout the System Properties’ Advanced tab, select “Environment variables.”
• Choose Edit after selecting “Path.”
• Verify the “C: Program Filesnodejs” npm path. It serves as Node.JS and npm’s standard target directory by default.
• Select New > Add npm variable path “C:Program Filesnodejs” > Hit OK if npm variable path is not already there.
• Bear in mind that you must substitute your specific target Folder for the standard “C: Program Filesnodejs”. In case you decided to install to a different folder.

Ubuntu 20.04: How to examine the npm path variable

One must first check to see if npm is already downloaded; or else, comply with the steps in this post to learn how to download npm and node JS for Ubuntu 20.04.

• Check the npm command’s default path

$ which npm

• We must now determine whether the /etc/environment file contains the path to their npm command or /usr/bin/npm.

$ cat /etc/environment

• You’ll notice that my environment variable already includes /usr/bin. So I won’t have this issue. If your npm path isn’t already in this folder, add it.

$ vi /etc/environment

• Just at the bottom of the environment file, add the npm path to the bin directory divided by a colon “:”. Save and exit from the document. Note that the npm path must be enclosed in quotes (“”). For instance, in my situation, /usr/bin. Check the environment file again for updates.

$ source /etc/environment

Issues with “node modules” permissions

To grant control to the user if you’ve been receiving consent issues, perform this command. Both Linux and Mac clients can utilize it.

Users of Macs

$ sudo chown -R $(whoami):admin /usr/local/lib/node_modules/

Users of Linux

$ sudo chown -R $(whoami):root /usr/local/lib/node_modules/

Installed an outdated version of Node

If you currently have an outdated version of npm installed. The following command can be used to upgrade it to the most recent version in order to fix the npm command not found fault.

• Using Ubuntu Linux, execute this command.

$ sudo npm install npm@latest -g

• Verify Node’s version.

$ npm -v

Windows users only

• Execute each of the PowerShell commands listed below one at a time.

c:> Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope CurrentUser -Force 
c:> npm install -g npm-windows-upgrade 
c:> npm-windows-upgrade

• Review Node version

c:\> node -v

No package.Json file issue

If you are using the npm install command, confirm that the package.json file already exists within the same folder before continuing. Otherwise, npm install problems may appear.

• To determine if the package.json file is there or not, use the ls -l tool.

$ ls -1index.jspackage-lock.jsonpackage.json

• Execute the npm install command after that, every time from the root folder, as advised. Each of the packages listed in your package.json file’s requirements object is automatically installed by the npm install command.

Integrity verification failed

When attempting to execute the npm install command, make sure that your project folder contains a package.json file. The package-lock.json file’s authenticity will be compared by npm against that of the package you installed. This will generate an integrity failed check error if there are discrepancies.

• You must relocate or uninstall your lock file, as well as clear the npm cache, to resolve this error. As from the root directory of your application, carry out the following instructions.

• Your package-lock.json file should be deleted or moved.

$ sudo rm package-lock.jsonor$ sudo mv package-lock.json /tmp

• A node-modules folder can be moved or removed. You can indeed delete it, but I’ll advise moving it to a new directory or the /tmp directory so you can undo modifications if necessary.

$ sudo mv node_modules /tmp
# in case you want to delete
$ sudo rm -rf node_modules

$ sudo mv node_modules /tmp # in case you want to delete $ sudo rm -rf node_modules

• Force the npm cache to be cleared.

$ npm cache clean --force

the npm install command once more. It ought to resolve your integrity problem.

Conclusion

For several web developers, npm is a vital tool, but installing and updating it can be challenging. The “npm is not found” error is a frequent issue that can happen for a number of different causes. There are, however, a number of fixes that can address the problem. The majority of the time, all that’s required is to update your PATH environment variable. Try removing and rebuilding npm if this fails to work. One ought to be able to set up npm with no issues after a bit of troubleshooting.

Several solutions to the “npm command not found” error were covered in this article. We learned how to resolve this problem by installing it from fresh and, if it had previously been set up, configuring some settings. To fix this error, we addressed issues with path variables, installation, and permissions.

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