Node Version Manager Install - Nvm Command Not Found

Better Stack Team
Updated on April 4, 2024

If you have installed Node Version Manager (NVM) but are encountering the issue where the nvm command is not found, it could be due to a few reasons. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

Check NVM Installation

Ensure that you have successfully installed NVM. You can install NVM by following the instructions on the official NVM GitHub repository.

Restart Your Terminal

After installing NVM, restart your terminal or open a new terminal window. This is necessary for the changes made by NVM to take effect.

Verify NVM Installation

After restarting the terminal, check if NVM is installed and accessible by running the following command:

 
nvm --version

If you see the version number, NVM is installed correctly.

Check Shell Configuration

Ensure that you've added the necessary lines to your shell configuration file (e.g., ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or ~/.profile) as mentioned in the NVM installation instructions.

 
export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \\. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"  # This loads nvm
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" ] && \\. "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion"  # This loads nvm bash_completion

Save the file and restart your terminal.

Check for Errors

Review your terminal for any error messages when you start a new terminal session. Look for messages related to NVM setup.

Manually Source NVM

Manually source the NVM scripts in your terminal to see if it resolves the issue: If this resolves the problem, there might be an issue with the lines added to your shell configuration file.

 
source ~/.nvm/nvm.sh

Check Shell Compatibility

Ensure that the shell you are using is compatible with NVM. NVM supports Bash and Zsh, so if you are using a different shell, you might need to adjust the configuration accordingly.

Reinstall NVM

If none of the above steps work, you can try reinstalling NVM by following the installation instructions on the official NVM GitHub repository.

Alternative Installation Method

Consider using the curl or wget method for installing NVM. Follow the instructions on the official NVM GitHub repository for alternative installation methods.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the issue where the nvm command is not found in your terminal.

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