How to Fix error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported in Node JS – Definitive Guide

Published on: | Last updated on: April 20, 2023 | By:

When working with Node.js and Command line interfaces like create-react-app and Webpack, you might get the error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported error.

You can fix the error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported in Node JS by setting the environment variable NODE_OPTIONS=--openssl-legacy-provider.

This tutorial teaches you the root cause and the different methods to solve this error.

Cause of the Error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported in Node JS

  • You might be using Node.js version 17+. In Node.js version 17+, MD4 algorithms are migrated into OpenSSL 3.0’s legacy provider. Hence, this error will occur if you do not pass the --openssl-legacy-provider flag. The legacy provider is not loaded by default and can be added to the application as required.
  • If you’re working with react application, you might be using the react-script version less than 5.0.0

Option-1 – Solve by Setting the NODE_OPTIONS Environment Variable

To use the openssl-legacy-provider in your application, you can set the NODE_OPTIONS environment variable to use this provider.

Use this method when you want to continue working with the Node.js version17+.

You can set the environment variables in the different environments using the following code.

In MacOS, Linux or Windows Git Bash

export NODE_OPTIONS=--openssl-legacy-provider

In Windows CMD (Command Prompt)

set NODE_OPTIONS=--openssl-legacy-provider

In Windows PowerShell

$env:NODE_OPTIONS="--openssl-legacy-provider"

In Docker File(For docker applications)

ENV NODE_OPTIONS="--openssl-legacy-provider"

Option-2 – Solve by Passing the OpenSSL Legacy Provider Flag to Webpack or CLI Tool

Instead of setting the parameter in the node.js options, you can pass the --openssl-legacy-provider flag to the webpack.

For example, when you have a react app,

  • Pass the --openssl-legacy-provider flag while starting the react-scripts

Code

{
  "scripts": {
    "start": "react-scripts start --openssl-legacy-provider",
  }
}

Option-3 – Solve By Upgrading react-scripts to v5.0.0 or Higher

If you have created the react applications using the Create React App command, you need to upgrade the react-scripts to V5.0.0 or higher to solve the error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported error.

To check the current version of the react-scripts,

  • Look in the devDependencies section of the project’s package.json file
{
  "name": "create-react-app-example",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "devDependencies": {
        "react-scripts": "3.2.0"
  }
}

The react-scripts might also be in the dependencies section.

To upgrade the react-scripts version to V5.0.0 or higher, use the below command:

Using NPM

npm install --save --save-exact [email protected]

Using YARN

yarn add --exact [email protected]

After upgrading the react-scripts version, you might need to reinstall the dependencies. Before reinstalling the dependencies,

Delete the node_modules folder using the following command:

rm –rf node_modules

Delete the package-lock.json file using the following command:

rm –rf package.lock.json

Clean the npm cache using the following command:

npm cache clean --force

Reinstall the dependencies using the following command:

npm install

Now your package.json file will look like the following:

{
  "name": "create-react-app-example",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "devDependencies": {
        "react-scripts": “5.0.0”
  }
}

Option-4 – Downgrading the Node.js version to 16 or Less

If the above solutions are inappropriate for your environment, you can downgrade the Node.js version to 16 or less.

To check the current Node.js version, use the following command:

node -v

Output

v18.14.2

You can download the Node JS version 16.20.0 from the Node JS website and install it.

Downgrade Using NVM

If you’re using Node.js via nvm, you can downgrade the node.js version using the following command:

nvm install v16

This is how you can solve the Digital Envelop Routines Unsupported error.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below.

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