Ubuntu: Node will not update to latest version

Question

I have an issue on my Ubuntu VM. I have tried several methods of updating to the latest Nodejs version (both LTS and Current), but running node --version still shows v4.8.4.

I have tried using both n and nvm to update, as well as manually downloading and building. No matter what, v4.8.4 seems to be the only version running.

If I run which node I get ~/.nvm/versions/node/v8.2.1/bin/node. This looks correct, but node --version is still v4.8.4.

How can I fix this?

Answer 1

Thank you everyone for trying to help. The link @ScottStensland provided above (https://askubuntu.com/questions/426750/how-can-i-update-my-nodejs-to-the-latest-version) solved the issue for me. I needed a link!

sudo ln -sf ~/.nvm/versions/node/v8.5.0/bin/node /usr/bin/nodejs

Answer 2

It's unclear what you have already tried - "I have tried several methods" isn't enough information for me to help you. But I will give it a try ;-)

You should know which Ubuntu version your virtual mashine offers. Just type in your terminal: lsb_release -a

Now you are free to follow the instructions from:

• How can I update my nodeJS to the latest version?

• or: Installing Node.js via package manager

  • If you decide to do a fresh install you should uninstall it at first - have a look at: Uninstall Node.JS using Linux command line?

Answer 3

Have you tried cleaning your cache and re-installing using a clean version?

Using Command Line/Terminal:

    sudo npm cache clean -f
    sudo npm install -g n  
    sudo n 0.8.11  
    sudo n stable
    node -v

node -v will check for the current version of node.js installed on your system.

In addition you can try installing globally using:

    npm install npm@latest -g

Or manage your NPM versioning using at https://github.com/creationix/nvm:

    nvm use system
    nvm run system --version
    nvm install node

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_10.x | sudo -E bash -

sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Only this one is working the rest of the methods are not useful for the node

Answer 5

In Ubuntu 16.04 its works:

Edit or create the file :nodesource.list

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nodesource.list

Insert this text:

deb https://deb.nodesource.com/node_10.x bionic main

deb-src https://deb.nodesource.com/node_10.x bionic main

Run these commands:

curl -s https://deb.nodesource.com/gpgkey/nodesource.gpg.key | apt-key add -


sudo sh -c "echo deb https://deb.nodesource.com/node_10.x cosmic main /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nodesource.list"

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install nodejs

Answer 6

You can:

sudo apt-get remove nodejs

Then:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install nodejs
sudo apt-get install npm

Check if it was updated

nodejs -v