Error when running npm "/usr/bin/node: 1: ELF: not found"

Question

Whenever i try to use nmp (npm / npm install / sudo npm install / etc) it output this:

/usr/bin/node: 1: ELF: not found
/usr/bin/node: 2: : not found
/usr/bin/node: 4: Syntax error: Unterminated quoted string

I tried to reinstall it with sudo apt reinstall npm and sudo apt autoremove npm sudo apt install npm but result is the same.

If it is important apt output this at the end of reinstalling


Failed to check for processor microcode upgrades.

No services need to be restarted.

No containers need to be restarted.

User sessions running outdated binaries:
 myname @ /dev/tty1: bash[12777]
 root @ /dev/pts/0: apt[13552,13666], sh[13671]
 root @ /dev/tty1: init[12776]

No VM guests are running outdated hypervisor (qemu) binaries on this host.

I use Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS from Microsoft Store

So just running the `npm` command gives that error? That information needs to be in the question. — Keith Thompson, Oct 17 '22 at 17:29
I am getting the same error with Ubuntu from Microsoft Store and yes, it also happens for npm alone. — protoplan, Jan 25 '23 at 19:22

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 12 '23 at 19:16

The version of Node that can be installed with Ubuntu's apt-get command in WSL is currently outdated. These commands worked for me:

Remove any existing installations of Node.js or npm
```
$ sudo apt remove npm
```

Install cURL and nvm

$ sudo apt-get install curl
$ curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/master/install.sh | bash

Close your current terminal, reopen it, and install Node
```
$ nvm install --lts
```

Source: Set up Node.js on WSL 2 | Microsoft Learn

Error when running npm "/usr/bin/node: 1: ELF: not found"

1 Answers1