Software⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-05-31

How to Fix: npm ERR! code E401 npm ERR! Incorrect or missing password

npm authentication issue resolved by updating credentials.

Quick Answer: Update npm credentials with the new version, or recover password at https://www.npmjs.com/forgot.

You are receiving the 'npm ERR! code E401 npm ERR! Incorrect or missing password' error after upgrading your Node.js version to 14.16.0 and npm version to 7.6.2. This error occurs when the authentication token used by npm is incorrect or missing.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • [Cause]

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Method 1: Update NPM Configuration

  1. Step 1: Run the command `npm config delete node_auth_token` to remove any existing authentication tokens.

Method 2: Re-run npm Install with Correct Credentials

  1. Step 1: Run the command `npm install` and enter your correct password when prompted.

💡 Conclusion

To resolve this issue, try updating your npm configuration or re-running the `npm install` command with correct credentials. If you're still experiencing issues, refer to npm's documentation for further assistance.

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