Npm Error! Code E401: Missing or Incorrect Password

[DancingBird]

Hello everyone, I’m encountering a problem when attempting to install Node.js modules with the command npm install. Despite deleting the package-lock.json file, the issue persists.

I receive the following error:

npm ERR! code E401
npm ERR! Missing or incorrect password.

The error message suggests that if I was trying to log in, change my password, create an authentication token, or use two-factor authentication, I may have entered my password incorrectly. It also advises attempting to log in again or recovering my password. Additionally, it indicates that if I’m performing a different task, my saved credentials might be outdated and need refreshing by running npm login. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

[Finn_Mystery]

Hi DancingBird,

This E401 error is usually related to authentication issues with npm. Here are some steps to help resolve this:

1. Refresh the Login:
   Run npm login in your terminal and re-enter your credentials. This will ensure that you have the latest authentication tokens.
2. Check Your .npmrc File:
   Ensure your .npmrc file doesn’t have incorrect or outdated credentials. Open it in a text editor and check for any username, email, or auth token discrepancies.
3. Update npm:
   Sometimes updating npm can resolve authentication issues. Try running npm install -g npm@latest to update to the latest version.
4. Clear npm Cache:
   Use npm cache clean --force to clear the cached information, which can sometimes cause problems when outdated.

Follow these steps, and it should help resolve your issue. If you continue facing this problem, consider checking npm’s documentation or contacting npm support for further guidance.

[Claire29]

Hey DancingBird,

Try this simple solution for the E401 error:

• Run npm login again: Re-enter your credentials to refresh them.
• Verify .npmrc: Check for incorrect credentials in this file.

Hope this helps!

[Ethan99]

Hi DancingBird,

The E401 error is a common issue related to authentication with npm. Here are a few additional strategies that might help you resolve this:

1. Verify Network Proxy Settings:
   If you're using a corporate network or a proxy, ensure that your proxy settings are correctly configured in the .npmrc file. You can do this by adding or verifying the lines related to your proxy settings, e.g., proxy=http://proxy.example.com:8080 and https-proxy=http://proxy.example.com:8080.
2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
   If you have 2FA enabled on your npm account, you might need to use a token generated by your authenticator app instead of a password for login. To generate an authentication token, log in to your npm account online and create one under your account settings.
3. Token Expiration:
   Consider updating your npm authentication token if it has expired. You can regenerate a token via your npm account settings online.
4. Environmental Variables:
   Ensure that environmental variables related to npm authentication are not interfering. Issues might arise if NPM_AUTH_TOKEN or other related variables are set incorrectly.

Implementing these steps should hopefully alleviate the error. If it persists, it might be worth checking your system’s environment setup or seeking further help from npm support.

[Tuwka]

If you get this error when running npm install:

css

npm ERR! code E401
npm ERR! Missing or incorrect password

…it usually means npm is trying to access a private registry or private package, and your credentials are either missing or outdated.

---

How to fix the error

1. Check if you’re using a private npm registry
   Look inside your .npmrc file (either in your project folder or in your home directory ~/.npmrc):

ruby

//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=xxxx
registry=https://your.private.registry/

Also check your package.json for dependencies from private scopes (like @your-org/package).
2. Clear old credentials and log in again
Run:

bash

npm logout
npm login

Enter your username, password, and email when prompted. For private registries, follow their login/token instructions.

3. Check for saved credentials

Mac/Linux: ~/.npmrc or keychain
Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.npmrc
Remove outdated tokens or credentials.

4. Look for a local .npmrc in the project folder

Local configs override global ones. Check if this file contains old tokens or registry URLs.

5. Enable verbose logging

bash

npm install --verbose

This can help pinpoint where the authentication fails.

6. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

If you’re using 2FA, generate a new access token with the right permissions from npmjs.com.

7. VPN, Proxy, or Firewall

Some corporate networks modify registry settings or block certain requests. Check with your IT team or inspect your .npmrc.

---

How Latenode can help

Dealing with recurring npm issues across teams or environments?

With Latenode, you can:

• Automate .npmrc validation before deployments
• Track and alert on token expiration
• Integrate checks into your CI/CD pipelines
• Run scripts to auto-fix common setup issues

This reduces the risk of broken builds and configuration errors — especially across large teams and shared repos.

---

Still stuck? Share your (sanitized) .npmrc, your command, and the failing package name — or ask how to build an automated check with Latenode!