# I need to upgrade my node.js but can't

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/i-need-to-upgrade-my-node-js-but-cant/97498>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [8 June 2025 23:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/i-need-to-upgrade-my-node-js-but-cant/97498 "2025-06-08T23:31:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [8 June 2025 23:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/i-need-to-upgrade-my-node-js-but-cant/97498/1 "2025-06-08T23:31:34Z")

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(Hi again)  
I've searched, searched and searched.  
Got nowhere.

This is one link I've found:

> **[Supported Node versions : Node-RED](https://nodered.org/docs/faq/node-versions)**

But.....

Then I found this thread:

> [@Updated node.js is not recognised by Node-RED - Now Broken Node-RED](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/updated-node-js-is-not-recognised-by-node-red-now-broken-node-red/90076):
>
> I have updated node to the LTS v20.16.0 but Node-RED (version v3.1.1) is still seeing Node.js v16.19.1 (I have done npm rebuild in both the Node-RED user directory and the installation directory.) I have run the install script ([Running on Raspberry Pi : Node-RED](https://nodered.org/docs/getting-started/raspberrypi)) and this all looked like it ran OK, but now Node-RED will not start (and it's still referencing node.js v16: Node-RED[28375]: Node-RED requires Node.js v18 or later systemd[1]: nrd.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=1/F…

and the line:

> It looks like you have another version installed. Have you previously used one of the node version managers such as nvm? If so, get rid of it.

So, in my books, it means `nvm` is not the way to go.

Sorry, but I'm stuck.

(What I require)  
The command to update node.js to a specific version.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![UnborN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/4491bb/32.png) [@UnborN](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/UnborN)\
**Post date:** [8 June 2025 23:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/i-need-to-upgrade-my-node-js-but-cant/97498/2 "2025-06-08T23:57:35Z")

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yes nvm causes problems

For Linux systems use the official node-red installation script with the `--node20` option.  
That should update nodejs to latest supported version 20.

`bash <(curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/node-red/linux-installers/master/deb/update-nodejs-and-nodered) --node20`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [8 June 2025 23:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/i-need-to-upgrade-my-node-js-but-cant/97498/3 "2025-06-08T23:59:32Z")

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Thanks.

But is that installing/updating ONLY `node.js`?

I can only go as far as 18, but I think I can see how to _resolve_ that part.

(Big/LONG story. I don't think it is needed.)

The short story is I need to keep current flows.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![UnborN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/4491bb/32.png) [@UnborN](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/UnborN)\
**Post date:** [9 June 2025 00:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/i-need-to-upgrade-my-node-js-but-cant/97498/4 "2025-06-09T00:02:35Z")

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actually its going to update your nodered as well to the latest  
and it will keep your flows ..  
Its always good practice to make backup

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [9 June 2025 00:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/i-need-to-upgrade-my-node-js-but-cant/97498/5 "2025-06-09T00:03:02Z")

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Ok. I'll back 'em up and run it.

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [23 June 2025 00:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/i-need-to-upgrade-my-node-js-but-cant/97498/6 "2025-06-23T00:03:37Z")

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