How to Fix “nvm command not found” with Node Version Manager

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By squashlabs, Last Updated: Oct. 1, 2023

How to Fix “nvm command not found” with Node Version Manager

If you encounter the error message "nvm command not found" during the installation of Node Version Manager (nvm), there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Here are two possible solutions:

Solution 1: Update Your Shell Configuration

1. Open your terminal and run the following command to open your shell configuration file (e.g., .bashrc, .zshrc, .bash_profile):

nano ~/.bashrc

2. Once the file opens, check if there is already a line that sources the nvm.sh script. It should look like this:

source ~/.nvm/nvm.sh

3. If the line is missing, add it to the file and save the changes.

4. Close and reopen your terminal or run the following command to apply the changes:

source ~/.bashrc

5. Test if nvm is working by running the following command:

nvm --version

6. If the command returns the version of nvm installed, the issue is resolved. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Related Article: How to Uninstall npm Modules in Node.js

Solution 2: Reinstall Node Version Manager

1. Uninstall the existing nvm installation by running the following command:

rm -rf ~/.nvm

2. Close your terminal and reopen it.

3. Install nvm by following the official installation instructions from the nvm repository on GitHub. For example, to install nvm using cURL, run the following command:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.38.0/install.sh | bash

4. Close and reopen your terminal or run the following command to apply the changes:

source ~/.bashrc

5. Test if nvm is working by running the following command:

nvm --version

6. If the command returns the version of nvm installed, the issue is resolved. If not, there may be an underlying issue with your system configuration or environment variables. Consider seeking further assistance or exploring alternative methods for managing Node.js versions.

Additional Suggestions

Related Article: How to Switch to an Older Version of Node.js

- Ensure that you have a stable internet connection during the installation process, as nvm requires downloading files from the internet.

- Double-check that you are using the correct shell configuration file. Different shells (e.g., Bash, Zsh) use different configuration files (e.g., .bashrc, .zshrc).

- If you are using a version manager other than nvm, such as n, fnm, or asdf, make sure there are no conflicts between them. Uninstall any conflicting version managers and try reinstalling nvm.

- Consider checking the official nvm repository on GitHub for any reported issues or solutions related to the error message you encountered.

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