Skip to main content

How to Resolve the "failed to load config from vite.config.js" Vite Error in JavaScript

When working with Vite, you may encounter the error "failed to load config from vite.config.js", often followed by Error: Cannot find module 'node:path'. This is a common issue that almost always points to an environment or dependency problem rather than a mistake in your Vite configuration file.

This guide will walk you through a simple, step-by-step checklist to diagnose and fix the root cause of this error.

The Core Problem: Environment and Dependency Mismatches​

This error typically indicates that your environment is not set up correctly for the version of Vite you are using. The most common culprit is an outdated version of Node.js. Modern versions of Vite rely on features available only in recent Node.js releases (e.g., the node: prefix for built-in modules like node:path).

Your Debugging Checklist​

Follow these steps in order. The vast majority of cases are solved by the first step.

Step 1: Check and Update Your Node.js Version (Most Common Fix)​

This is the number one cause of the error. Vite requires a modern version of Node.js.

Solution:

  1. Check your current Node.js version: 
    node -v
  2. Compare it to the latest LTS version: Visit the official Node.js website to see the current Long-Term Support (LTS) version. If your version is significantly older (e.g., v14 or v16), it's time to update.
  3. Update Node.js:
    • The easiest way is to download the LTS installer directly from the Node.js website.
    • Alternatively, if you use a version manager like nvm (Node Version Manager), you can update with a simple command: 
      nvm install --lts
      nvm use --lts

After updating, close and reopen your terminal, then try running your Vite command again (e.g., npm run dev).

Step 2: Update Your Vite Package​

An outdated version of Vite itself could have bugs or incompatibilities.

Solution: Update Vite to the latest version in your project.

npm install vite@latest --save-dev
note

If you use Yarn, the command is yarn add vite@latest --dev

Step 3: Perform a Clean Reinstall of Dependencies​

If updating Node.js and Vite doesn't work, you may have corrupted or mismatched packages in your node_modules folder.

Solution: Perform a clean reinstall of all your project's dependencies.

# 1. Remove node_modules and the lock file
rm -rf node_modules
rm -f package-lock.json

# 2. (Optional but recommended) Clean the npm cache
npm cache clean --force

# 3. Reinstall all packages
npm install

Step 4: Check for Syntax Errors in vite.config.js​

While less common, a simple syntax error in your vite.config.js file can also cause this error.

Solution: Carefully review your vite.config.js file. Look for common mistakes like missing commas, incorrect imports, or using JavaScript features not supported by your Node.js version.

// A typical, valid vite.config.js for a React project
import { defineConfig } from 'vite';
import react from '@vitejs/plugin-react';

export default defineConfig({
  plugins: [react()],
});

Step 5: Handle ES Module Inconsistencies​

If your vite.config.js uses ES module import syntax but your project isn't configured to treat it as such, it can cause loading failures.

Solution: Try renaming your configuration file from vite.config.js to vite.config.mjs. The .mjs extension explicitly tells Node.js to treat the file as an ES Module, which can resolve module-related parsing errors.

Conclusion​

The "failed to load config from vite.config.js" error is almost always an environmental issue, not a problem with your code.

  • The most common and effective solution is to update your Node.js version to the latest LTS release.
  • If that doesn't work, proceed down the checklist: update Vite, perform a clean reinstall of your node_modules, and check for syntax errors.

By following these steps, you can quickly diagnose and fix the root cause of the problem.

Table of Contents