envelope routines::unsupported” in Node.js
How to Fix “Error: error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported” in Node.js
When developing and running Node.js applications, especially those involving encryption and decryption operations, you might encounter the following error:
This error is typically caused by a mismatch between the Node.js version and the OpenSSL version you are using. It is especially common when using Node.js v17 and later versions with incompatible OpenSSL versions. In this blog post, we will explore the root cause of this error and provide multiple solutions to fix it. You can choose the solution that best fits your environment and needs.
Understanding the Error
The error message indicates that certain encryption operations cannot be executed due to incompatibility between the Node.js and OpenSSL versions. Starting from Node.js v17, support for OpenSSL 3.0 was introduced, which also means some older encryption algorithms and configurations might no longer be supported.
Solutions
Solution 1: Downgrade Node.js
Downgrade Node.js to a version that is compatible with your current OpenSSL version. For example, Node.js v14 or v16 usually works without this issue.
nvm install 16
nvm use 16
Solution 2: Set the OpenSSL Legacy Provider
You can set the NODE_OPTIONS environment variable to enable the legacy provider for OpenSSL.
For Unix/Linux/MacOS:
For Windows (Command Prompt):
For Windows (PowerShell):
Solution 3: Add Node.js Flag in package.json
You can also add the flag directly in your project’s package.json file.
“start”: “node - openssl-legacy-provider your-script.js”
}
Replace your-script.js with the entry point of your application.
Solution 4: Upgrade OpenSSL
If possible, upgrade OpenSSL to a version that is compatible with your Node.js version.
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade openssl
Solution 5: Manage Node.js Versions on macOS Using Homebrew
On macOS, you can use Homebrew to manage and switch Node.js versions.
First, ensure you have Homebrew installed. If not, you can install it using the following command:
Then, use the following commands to manage Node.js versions:
brew install node@20
brew install node@22
# Unlink the current version
brew unlink node@22
# Link to a more stable version
brew link node@20
By following these steps, you can downgrade Node.js to version 20, thus resolving the error.
Summary
The “Error: error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported” error is primarily caused by incompatibility between Node.js and OpenSSL versions. Depending on your development environment, you can choose one of the following solutions:
Downgrade Node.js
Set the OpenSSL Legacy Provider
Add Node.js Flag in package.json
Upgrade OpenSSL
Manage Node.js Versions on macOS Using Homebrew
For macOS users, you can downgrade Node.js versions with the following commands:
brew link node@20
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and run your Node.js application smoothly. I hope this blog post helps you quickly fix the issue and ensures a seamless development experience! If you need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment.
