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Node.js Error ERR_REQUIRE_ESM Intermediate 13 views

ERR_REQUIRE_ESM

Node.js cannot require() an ES module; use import() instead.

Explanation

ERR_REQUIRE_ESM occurs when you try to use CommonJS require() to load a module that is an ES module. Starting with Node.js 14, packages can be ES modules (using import/export syntax) and cannot be loaded with require(). This error has become increasingly common as more npm packages switch to ESM-only. The error message suggests using dynamic import() instead, which returns a Promise.

Common Causes

  • Package is ESM-only but using require()
  • Missing "type": "module" in package.json
  • Node.js version too old for ESM
  • Package doesn't provide CommonJS build
  • Build output not compatible

Solution

Convert your code to use ES module syntax (import/export) by adding "type": "module" to package.json. Use dynamic import() for async loading: const module = await import('package'). Use createRequire() from the module module to create a require function that works with ESM. Check if the package provides a CommonJS build. Consider using a build tool like esbuild or tsup that can convert ESM to CommonJS.

Code Example 

// This causes ERR_REQUIRE_ESM
const somePackage = require('some-esm-package'); // Error!

// Fix 1: Use dynamic import()
const somePackage = await import('some-esm-package');

// Fix 2: Add "type": "module" to package.json and use import
import somePackage from 'some-esm-package';

// Fix 3: Use createRequire
import { createRequire } from 'module';
const require = createRequire(import.meta.url);
const somePackage = require('some-esm-package');

// Fix 4: Check if package has CommonJS build
const somePackage = require('some-esm-package/dist/cjs/index.js');

// For TypeScript projects
// tsconfig.json
{
    "compilerOptions": {
        "module": "ESNext",
        "moduleResolution": "bundler"
    }
}

Error Information

Language

javascript

Framework

nodejs

Difficulty

Intermediate

Views

13

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