NPM stuck giving the same error EISDIR: Illegal operation on a directory, read at error (native)

Cover Image for NPM stuck giving the same error EISDIR: Illegal operation on a directory, read at error (native)
Matheus Mello
Matheus Mello
published a few days ago. updated a few hours ago

🐛 Troubleshooting NPM Stuck Giving the Same Error 📛 EISDIR: Illegal Operation on a Directory, Read Error (Native)

Are you stuck with the frustrating error message "EISDIR: Illegal operation on a directory, read" when using NPM? No matter which directory you're in or what command you type, the error just won't go away. It can be incredibly frustrating, but don't worry, we've got you covered! In this blog post, we'll address common issues related to this error and provide easy solutions to help you resolve it.

🤔 Understanding the Error

To better understand the error, let's take a look at the context provided by the user:

0 info it worked if it ends with ok
1 verbose cli [ 'C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\node.exe',
1 verbose cli   'C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\node_modules\\npm\\bin\\npm-cli.js' ]
2 info using npm@2.14.12
3 info using node@v4.2.6
4 verbose stack Error: EISDIR: illegal operation on a directory, read
4 verbose stack     at Error (native)
5 verbose cwd C:\Users\me
6 error Windows_NT 6.1.7601
7 error argv "C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\node.exe" "C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\node_modules\\npm\\bin\\npm-cli.js"
8 error node v4.2.6
9 error npm  v2.14.12
10 error code EISDIR
11 error errno -4068
12 error syscall read
13 error eisdir EISDIR: illegal operation on a directory, read
13 error eisdir This is most likely not a problem with npm itself
13 error eisdir and is related to npm not being able to find a package.json in
13 error eisdir a package you are trying to install.
14 verbose exit [ -4068, true ]

From this information, we can see that the error is related to an "illegal operation on a directory, read." It occurs when NPM is unable to find a package.json file in a package you are trying to install.

🔍 Common Causes & Solutions

Now that we understand the error, let's explore some common causes and their corresponding solutions.

Cause 1: Incorrect Directory

  • If you're running NPM commands in the wrong directory, this error can occur.

  • Solution: Make sure you navigate to the correct directory where the package.json file is located. You can use the cd command to change directories in your command prompt or terminal. Once you're in the correct directory, retry the NPM command.

Cause 2: Permission Issues

  • On some systems, permission issues can lead to this error.

  • Solution: Try running the command prompt or terminal as an administrator. This can help resolve any permission-related problems. Right-click on the command prompt icon and select "Run as administrator." Once the command prompt opens, navigate to the directory where the package.json file is located and retry the NPM command.

Cause 3: Older Version of NPM

  • If you're using an outdated version of NPM, it might not handle certain operations correctly, resulting in this error.

  • Solution: Update NPM to the latest version. You can do this by running the following command in your command prompt or terminal:

    npm install -g npm@latest

    After the update is complete, retry the NPM command.

Cause 4: Corrupted NPM Cache

  • A corrupted NPM cache can cause unexpected errors, including the one you're facing.

  • Solution: Clear the NPM cache by running the following command:

    npm cache clean --force

    Once the cache is cleared, retry the NPM command.

🚀 Take Action and Get Back on Track!

We hope one of the solutions provided above has helped you resolve the "EISDIR" error. If you're still facing issues, don't hesitate to ask for further assistance. Remember, troubleshooting is all about trial and error.

Now it's your turn! Have you encountered this error before? How did you solve it? Share your experience and insights in the comments below. Let's help each other out and make the coding community stronger! 💪💻

So until next time, happy coding! 😊👩‍💻👨‍💻


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