Cannot require ES module Node.js

Why This Happens

In Node.js, you used require() on a package that only supports es modules. This is one of the most common Node.js errors developers encounter. Understanding the root cause helps you fix it quickly and prevent it from recurring.

The Problem

const pkg = require('esm-only-pkg');

The Fix

// Use dynamic import:
const pkg = await import('esm-only-pkg');
// Or add "type": "module" to package.json

Step-by-Step Fix

1. 1

   Identify the error

   Look at the error message: ERR_REQUIRE_ESM. This tells you exactly what went wrong.

2. 2

   Find the cause

   Check the stack trace to find which line of your Node.js code triggered this error.

3. 3

   Apply the fix

   Use the corrected code pattern shown above. Test to confirm the error is resolved.