EACCES permission denied Node.js

Error: EACCES permission denied

Quick Answer

Node doesn't have permission to access the file or port.

Why This Happens

In Node.js, node doesn't have permission to access the file or port. 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

app.listen(80);  // Needs root!

The Fix

app.listen(3000);  // Use unprivileged port

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. 1

    Identify the error

    Look at the error message: Error: EACCES permission denied. 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.

Bugsly catches this automatically

Bugsly's AI analyzes this error pattern in real-time, explains what went wrong in plain English, and suggests the exact fix — before your users even report it.

Try Bugsly free