# Unable to Install Node\_RED Missing node.js, and NPM stops installation Buster 10

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [2 December 2021 21:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646 "2021-12-02T21:36:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loonhaunt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/loonhaunt/32/34517_2.png) [@Loonhaunt](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Loonhaunt)\
**Post date:** [2 December 2021 21:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/1 "2021-12-02T21:36:16Z")

</div>

Hello,  
I am installing Node-RED on my third Rpi 3 and ran into the following. I am pasting the CLI output as well and a portion of the error logs. The error log indicates some 404 errors is the site experiencing some issues. I did not have this issue yesterday?

I used this command for all of my other installs:

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

```

```auto
This can take 20-30 minutes on the slower Pi versions - please wait.

  Stop Node-RED ✔
  Remove old version of Node-RED ✔
  Remove old version of Node.js ✔   
  Install Node.js 14 LTS ✘ Bad install: Node.js missing Npm missing - Exit
  Clean npm cache                     
  Install Node-RED core               
  Move global nodes to local          
  Npm rebuild existing nodes          
  Install extra Pi nodes              
  Add shortcut commands               
  Update systemd script               
                                      

Any errors will be logged to /var/log/nodered-install.log

pi@raspberrypi:~ $ 

```

```auto
tReading package lists...
Building dependency tree...
Reading state information...
The following additional packages will be installed:
  libc-ares2 libnode64 libuv1 nodejs-doc
Suggested packages:
  npm
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  libc-ares2 libnode64 libuv1 nodejs nodejs-doc
0 upgraded, 5 newly installed, 0 to remove and 84 not upgraded.
Need to get 6,100 kB of archives.
After this operation, 27.7 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Err:1 http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian buster/main armhf libc-ares2 armhf 1.14.0-1
  404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
Err:2 http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian buster/main armhf libuv1 armhf 1.24.1-1
  404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
Err:3 http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian buster/main armhf libnode64 armhf 10.21.0~dfsg-1~deb10u1+rpi1
  404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
Err:4 http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian buster/main armhf nodejs armhf 10.21.0~dfsg-1~deb10u1+rpi1
  404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
Err:5 http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian buster/main armhf nodejs-doc all 10.21.0~dfsg-1~deb10u1+rpi1
  404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
E: Failed to fetch http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian/pool/main/c/c-ares/libc-ares2_1.14.0-1_armhf.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
E: Failed to fetch http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian/pool/main/libu/libuv1/libuv1_1.24.1-1_armhf.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
E: Failed to fetch http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian/pool/main/n/nodejs/libnode64_10.21.0~dfsg-1~deb10u1+rpi1_armhf.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
E: Failed to fetch http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian/pool/main/n/nodejs/nodejs_10.21.0~dfsg-1~deb10u1+rpi1_armhf.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
E: Failed to fetch http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian/pool/main/n/nodejs/nodejs-doc_10.21.0~dfsg-1~deb10u1+rpi1_all.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 93.93.128.193 80]
E: Unable to fetch some archives, maybe run apt-get update or try with --fix-missing?ype or paste code here

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [2 December 2021 21:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/2 "2021-12-02T21:55:36Z")

</div>

There is something odd going on with your system.

First try and bring your system up to date using  
`sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade`  
If that fails then post the output here.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loonhaunt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/loonhaunt/32/34517_2.png) [@Loonhaunt](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Loonhaunt)\
**Post date:** [2 December 2021 23:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/3 "2021-12-02T23:01:10Z")

</div>

Colin,  
I forgot

```auto
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

```

on this machine. I have been working on this project since about this time yesterday with about three hours sleep. Time for a brew here in Colorado USA.

Thanks so much for waking me up.

Dave

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loonhaunt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/loonhaunt/32/34517_2.png) [@Loonhaunt](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Loonhaunt)\
**Post date:** [2 December 2021 23:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/4 "2021-12-02T23:51:13Z")

</div>

Sorry Colin my last full upgrade on a pi 400 resulted with this when I  
ran the Node\_red update  
CLI output(The last little bits at the end of the CLI output was me attempting to run the suggested command. I may have to quit now to have my draft.

Dave

```auto
Running Node-RED install for user pi at /home/pi on raspbian

Nodejs 10 is no longer supported.
  You can update to the latest Node-RED 1.x version by adding --nodered-version="1.3.5"
  to that install command. If in doubt this is the safer option.
  
  Or you can force an install of node 12 or 14 by using the --node12, --node14 or --node16 parameter
  However doing so may break some nodes that may need re-installing manually.
  Generally it is recommended to upgrade all nodes to their latest versions before upgrading.
  
  Please backup your installation and flows before upgrading.
  
  Exiting now.
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ bash <(curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/node-red/linux-installers/master/deb/update-nodejs-and-nodered--version="1.3.5"
> ^C
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ bash <(curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/node-red/linux-installers/master/deb/update-nodejs-and-nodered--version="1.3.5")
/dev/fd/63: line 1: 404:: command not found
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ bash <(curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/node-red/linux-installers/master/deb/update-nodejs-and-nodered--nodered-version="1.3.5")
/dev/fd/63: line 1: 404:: command not found
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ 

```

Install error log:

```auto
Already have nodejs v10.24.0
OLD nodejs 10 :
NEW nodejs :
Nodejs 10 too old and new version not specified - exiting

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loonhaunt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/loonhaunt/32/34517_2.png) [@Loonhaunt](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Loonhaunt)\
**Post date:** [2 December 2021 23:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/5 "2021-12-02T23:56:30Z")

</div>

I Finally got the CLI input correct syntax correct. There are so many languages to have some grasp of today

Thanks for all of the help. I am now on the downside of the idiot curve I hope.  
Dave

Here is my CLI output for reference after the Bash adjustment was made.

```auto
This can take 20-30 minutes on the slower Pi versions - please wait.

  Stop Node-RED ✔
  Remove old version of Node-RED ✔
  Node option not specified : --node12, --node14, or --node16
  Leave existing Node.js : v10.24.0 Npm 5.8.0
  Clean npm cache -
npm WARN npm npm does not support Node.js v10.24.0
npm WARN npm You should probably upgrade to a newer version of node as we
npm WARN npm can't make any promises that npm will work with this version.
npm WARN npm Supported releases of Node.js are the latest release of 4, 6, 7, 8, 9.
npm WARN npm You can find the latest version at https://nodejs.org/
  Install Node-RED core ✔ 1.3.5 
npm WARN npm npm does not support Node.js v10.24.0
npm WARN npm You should probably upgrade to a newer version of node as we
npm WARN npm can't make any promises that npm will work with this version.
npm WARN npm Supported releases of Node.js are the latest release of 4, 6, 7, 8, 9.
npm WARN npm You can find the latest version at https://nodejs.org/
  Move global nodes to local ✔
  Leave existing nodes -
  Install extra Pi nodes ✔
  Add shortcut commands ✔
  Update systemd script ✔

All done.
You can now start Node-RED with the command node-red-start
  or using the icon under Menu / Programming / Node-RED
Then point your browser to localhost:1880 or http://{your_pi_ip-address}:1880

Started : Thu 02 Dec 2021 06:49:26 PM EST 
Finished: Thu 02 Dec 2021 06:51:54 PM EST
 
You may want to run node-red admin init
to configure your initial options and settings.
 
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ 

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jbudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 01:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/6 "2021-12-03T01:01:30Z")

</div>

Is there any reason why you are using Raspberry Pi OS Buster rather than the latest release Bullseye?

Did you deliberately install an old version of Node-Red?  
I suspect you were misled by the message " You can update to the latest Node-RED 1.x version by adding --nodered-version="1.3.5" to that install command."  
The latest Node-Red version is 2.1.4. Unless you want an old version you should not use --nodered-version=n.

I too have had a "Bad install" error on a couple of recent Raspberry Pi installs.  
I resolved it by a) re-running the install script or b) sudo apt install npm and then re-running the install script specifying --node16.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loonhaunt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/loonhaunt/32/34517_2.png) [@Loonhaunt](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Loonhaunt)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 03:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/7 "2021-12-03T03:31:25Z")

</div>

Hello you will have to give me a hint as to where to specify --node16. I tried to add it on to the end of the install statement. That did not work.

On a side note have you ever heard of issues with Rpi 4's and 400s not playing with i2c BUS? I am tearing my hair out trying to get this figured out?

Thanks  
Dave  
Appreciate the Help.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jbudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 07:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/8 "2021-12-03T07:28:49Z")

</div>

After the closing bracket.

```auto
bash <(curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/node-red/linux-installers/master/deb/update-nodejs-and-nodered) --node16

```

I'm not sure if this will upgrade Node-Red from 1.3.5 to 2.1.4.  
If it's a new Raspberry Pi setup it might be worth reburning the OS.

No idea about I2C, sorry.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 08:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/9 "2021-12-03T08:06:39Z")

</div>

I am confused by ask your earlier posts. Does  
`sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade`  
work? If not then you need to sort that first.

@jbudd is right though, if this is a new setup then you should use Bullseye.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 09:26 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/10 "2021-12-03T09:26:15Z")

</div>

> [@Colin](#):
>
> if this is a new setup then you should use Bullseye

The situation became a lot muddier yesterday as Rpi have introduced a "legacy" Buster.

> **["New" old functionality with Raspberry Pi OS (Legacy) - Raspberry Pi](https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/new-old-functionality-with-raspberry-pi-os-legacy/)**
>
> We are releasing a 'legacy' version of the Raspberry Pi OS based on Debian Buster, to provide a continuity option for users who require it.

I think that maybe we should be recommending this Buster version until the Bullseye one becomes stable.

But this is only day 2 of a new world so who knows?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 10:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/11 "2021-12-03T10:01:49Z")

</div>

> [@cymplecy](#):
>
> until the Bullseye one becomes stable.

Is it not stable?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 10:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/12 "2021-12-03T10:54:27Z")

</div>

supported/working with old stuff/whatever word you want

They haven't released an updated Buster for the fun of it 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![knolleary](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/knolleary/32/3_2.png) [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 11:15 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/13 "2021-12-03T11:15:10Z")

</div>

Probably best to read the blog post to get the full story.

It is not that bullseye isn't stable, but as with any new major version it causes churn in some areas. They have released their "legacy" OS image, based on Buster, which won't have major changes for another 2 years.

It won't be supported on any new Raspberry Pi hardware they may release as that hardware could rely on newer kernel/libraries. But if you have something stable running on existing hardware with Buster, it gives you an option to keep running on a supported OS for some time to come.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 11:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/14 "2021-12-03T11:19:21Z")

</div>

I looked at a Buster to Bullseye upgrade for my Debian home server - I can see that upgrades in the land of Linux have really not improved over the years! ☹

There were so many caveats and manual fixes needed that I gave up after about 1/2 an hours reading.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 11:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/15 "2021-12-03T11:20:36Z")

</div>

It is the equivalent of nodejs v16 being the current LTS release, but security releases of 14 and 12 are still provided so old apps can keep running. Or Ubuntu 20.04, which is the current LTS but 18.04, 16.04 and 14.04 still receive security fixes.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 11:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/16 "2021-12-03T11:24:22Z")

</div>

> [@TotallyInformation](#):
>
> I looked at a Buster to Bullseye upgrade for my Debian home server

Do you mean trying to do an upgrade of an existing system? I agree that isn't going to work easily. I think a re-install is needed, which is a pain.

That is one thing that Ubuntu does rather well, they have a dedicated piece of s/w that handles an upgrade, which usually works remarkably well.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 11:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/17 "2021-12-03T11:50:16Z")

</div>

> [@Colin](#):
>
> Do you mean trying to do an upgrade of an existing system? I agree that isn't going to work easily. I think a re-install is needed, which is a pain.

Yes. If I do have to do a new install, it probably wont be Debian if they can't manage upgrades better than this.

> [@Colin](#):
>
> That is one thing that Ubuntu does rather well, they have a dedicated piece of s/w that handles an upgrade, which usually works remarkably well.

I've been trying to avoid Ubuntu, preferring the simplicity and stability of Debian. But maybe I'll be forced to change.

Any OS that can't handle a major version upgrade isn't worth using.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loonhaunt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/loonhaunt/32/34517_2.png) [@Loonhaunt](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Loonhaunt)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 12:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/18 "2021-12-03T12:50:59Z")

</div>

I mistakenly at first downloaded Bullseye Imager page at [rpi.org](http://rpi.org). I certainly was quicker, then as I began to bring up some of my "legacy" flows, I began to have issues with things not working. If you have run across some of my posts here you would see. I revert backward to buster, and all was working, mostly again. I did notice straight away that Bullseye was much much faster off the line!

After seeing the news yesterday late, I am reticent to touch anything until the alternatives at hand are explored my more advanced spirits than i.

Dave

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loonhaunt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/loonhaunt/32/34517_2.png) [@Loonhaunt](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Loonhaunt)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 12:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/19 "2021-12-03T12:53:01Z")

</div>

It did make it through the upgrade process without error, but apparently i am running 1.3.5 as opposed to 2,1,4.

Dave

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [3 December 2021 13:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646/20 "2021-12-03T13:36:54Z")

</div>

> [@Loonhaunt](#):
>
> apparently i am running 1.3.5

Did you specify a node red version when you ran the script? If so then run it again without the node red version specified, but tell it to install node version 14 or 16.

[Next page](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/unable-to-install-node-red-missing-node-js-and-npm-stops-installation-buster-10/54646.md?page=2)