Fresh Nuxt Install Failing: Internal Server Errors on Startup
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Hi @Zebras. I'm kapa.ai, your friendly support bot. I will try to answer your question by searching through the knowledge base. :wave:
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If you're experiencing internal server errors (500 errors) on startup with a fresh Nuxt install, there are a few common causes and troubleshooting steps based on the knowledge sources:
1. Check for Build Output Issues
Sometimes, the
Nuxt provides several hooks and mechanisms for error handling. For errors during startup (including plugin execution, app creation, and SSR rendering), Nuxt will call the
Incompatibilities between Node.js, Nuxt, and your package manager (npm, pnpm, yarn) can cause build or runtime errors. Ensure you are using a supported Node.js version and try switching package managers if you suspect an issue (for example, some users have reported issues with pnpm that do not occur with npm) Nuxt 3.16.0 build and run preview error 500 ReferenceError: shared_cjs_prodExports is not defined. 4. Review Build and Runtime Logs
Carefully check the build and runtime logs for any error messages or stack traces. Sometimes, the error may be due to a missing file, misconfigured plugin, or a dependency that fails to load. For example, a missing
Delete
Sometimes, the
.output folder may remain empty after running nuxt build, which can cause startup failures because the server entry file (like .output/server/index.mjs) is missing. This can be due to a misconfiguration or a corrupted project setup. One workaround that has resolved this for others is to create a brand new Nuxt project and carefully copy your files over, as this can reset any hidden misconfigurations or corrupted files that prevent proper output generation. If a new project works out-of-the-box, this points to a project-specific issue rather than a Nuxt bug itself Nuxt3 build .output folder remains empty, nothing copied from .nuxt.
2. Error Handling and DebuggingNuxt provides several hooks and mechanisms for error handling. For errors during startup (including plugin execution, app creation, and SSR rendering), Nuxt will call the
app:error hook. You can also use Vue's onErrorCaptured or set a global error handler in a plugin to capture and log errors for further diagnosis. This can help you identify the root cause of the internal server error if it's related to your code or a misbehaving dependency Error Handling.
3. Check Node and Package Manager VersionsIncompatibilities between Node.js, Nuxt, and your package manager (npm, pnpm, yarn) can cause build or runtime errors. Ensure you are using a supported Node.js version and try switching package managers if you suspect an issue (for example, some users have reported issues with pnpm that do not occur with npm) Nuxt 3.16.0 build and run preview error 500 ReferenceError: shared_cjs_prodExports is not defined. 4. Review Build and Runtime Logs
Carefully check the build and runtime logs for any error messages or stack traces. Sometimes, the error may be due to a missing file, misconfigured plugin, or a dependency that fails to load. For example, a missing
index.html or a misconfigured server entry point can cause 500 errors on startup 502 Error deploying Nuxt 3 to Amplify (no such file or directory, open '/static/index.html').
5. Try a Clean InstallDelete
node_modules and your lock file (package-lock.json or pnpm-lock.yaml), then reinstall dependencies. This can resolve issues caused by corrupted or mismatched dependencies.
If after these steps the issue persists, please provide the specific error message or stack trace from your logs for more targeted assistance. The knowledge sources do not provide a single universal fix, but these are the most common troubleshooting steps for internal server errors on a fresh Nuxt install.
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I've also tried deleting the package-lock.json file and the node_modules folder multiple times, and retried without using the cache. I even attempted running it with Bun, but I keep getting the exact same errors every time. Additionally, I've tried running it with different Node versions (23.10.0, 22.15.0, 20.16.0, and 18.20.8) and encounter the same error each time.