Coding⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-05-30

How to Fix: Node.js - SyntaxError: Unexpected token import

Node.js syntax error due to outdated NPM version. Upgrade NPM to fix.

Quick Answer: Upgrade NPM to a compatible version (e.g., 6 or later) to resolve the import statement issue.

To resolve the 'SyntaxError: Unexpected token import' issue in Node.js, it's essential to understand that this error occurs when you're trying to use the ES6 import statement in a module that doesn't support it.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The code is using ES6 import statement in a module that doesn't support it.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Method 1: Using ES5 Import Alternatives

  1. Step 1: Replace the import statement with a require statement.

Method 2: Upgrading Node.js and NPM

  1. Step 1: Upgrade Node.js to a version that supports ES6 import statements.

🎯 Final Words

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'SyntaxError: Unexpected token import' issue in your Node.js project.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions