Cannot use import outside module Node.js

Why This Happens

In Node.js, you used import syntax without esm support. 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

import express from 'express';

The Fix

// Add to package.json: "type": "module"
// Or rename file to .mjs
// Or use require:
const express = require('express');

Step-by-Step Fix

1. 1

   Identify the error

   Look at the error message: SyntaxError: Cannot use import statement. 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.