Error: listen EADDRINUSE: address already in use occurs in Node.js when you “try to restart a Node application, and the previous one did not shut down properly.”
How to fix the error?
Here are some steps to diagnose and fix the issue.
Check Running Processes
You can use the below command to see if any process is running on the port you’re interested in.
Replace PORT_NUMBER with the port you are trying to use.
lsof -i :PORT_NUMBERThe above command will show you which process is using that port.
If you find a process that shouldn’t be running, you can kill it with:
kill -9 PROCESS_IDWhere PROCESS_ID is the ID of the process you want to terminate.
Ensure Proper Shutdown
If you frequently encounter this error, it might be because your Node.js application isn’t shutting down properly. Ensure you handle exit signals (SIGINT, SIGTERM) to shut down your server gracefully.
Use a Different Port
You can modify your Node.js application to use a different port. This involves updating a configuration file or changing the value where you call listen() in your code.
That’s it!
Krunal Lathiya is a seasoned Computer Science expert with over eight years in the tech industry. He boasts deep knowledge in Data Science and Machine Learning. Versed in Python, JavaScript, PHP, R, and Golang. Skilled in frameworks like Angular and React and platforms such as Node.js. His expertise spans both front-end and back-end development. His proficiency in the Python language stands as a testament to his versatility and commitment to the craft.