How to Upgrade a Node.js Version on Ubuntu

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that executes JavaScript code on the server side. Installing Node.js on Ubuntu provides access to its powerful features, including the Node Package Manager (npm), the official registry for JavaScript packages. It is widely adopted for both front-end and back-end development and backed by a large developer community with extensive documentation, making it a key tool in modern application development.

This article shows how to upgrade Node.js on Ubuntu 24.04 using three methods: NVM (Node Version Manager), official binary packages, and the APT package manager. It also explains how to check the current version before and after upgrading.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• An Ubuntu 24.04 instance with Node.js already installed.
• SSH access to the server.
• A non-root user with sudo privileges.
• A reference to the NodeSource distribution chart to check which Node.js versions are supported for Ubuntu 24.04.

Verify the Installed Node.js Version

Before upgrading, verify the currently installed Node.js version. This lets you confirm whether the upgrade process successfully changed the version.

$ node -v

Output:

v18.19.1

If you encounter a command not found error, Node.js isn't installed. In that case, follow one of the upgrade methods in this article to install the version you need.

Install Node Version Manager

Node Version Manager (NVM) is a command-line tool that lets you install and manage multiple Node.js versions on the same system. It allows easy upgrades, version switching, and setting a default version for your terminal sessions. Follow the steps below to install NVM.

1. Download and run the latest NVM installation script using curl.

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   $ curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.2/install.sh | bash

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2. Reload your shell configuration to activate NVM.

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   $ source ~/.bashrc

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   If you're using Zsh instead of Bash, run source ~/.zshrc instead.

3. Verify that NVM is installed.

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   $ nvm --version

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   Output:

   0.40.2

Upgrade Node.js in Ubuntu 24.04

You can upgrade Node.js on Ubuntu 24.04 using NVM (Node Version Manager), official binary packages, or the APT package manager, depending on your environment and version requirements.

Verify the Active Node.js Version

After completing the upgrade, confirm that your system is using the correct Node.js and npm versions. This ensures that the installation method worked as expected and the environment is ready for development or deployment.

1. Check the active Node.js version.

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   $ node -v

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   Output:

   v22.16.0

2. Check the npm version bundled with Node.js.

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   $ npm -v

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   Output:

   10.9.2

If the output displays the version you just installed, the upgrade was successful and your environment is correctly configured.

Conclusion

In this article, you upgraded Node.js on Ubuntu 24.04 using one of three supported methods: NVM, binary packages, or the APT package manager. You verified the upgrade by checking the active Node.js and npm versions. Depending on your setup, each method provides flexibility for development, manual control, or automated system-wide deployments. For more configuration options, refer to the official Node.js documentation.