yarn

How to easily fix the EAI_AGAIN error in NPM, Yarn, or PNPM

By / Last updated on November 9, 2023

The EAI_AGAIN error happens during an NPM, Yarn, or PNPM installation when the target server or DNS server doesn’t respond within a set time limit. This could happen due to network congestion, DNS server failures, or other connection issues.

Let’s explore some effective methods for quickly fixing the EAI_AGAIN error.

In this article

1. Clear NPM proxy

To fix the EAI_AGAIN error in NPM, Yarn, or PNPM, try removing the proxy settings from your configuration with this command:

Shell
# NPM

npm config rm proxy
npm config rm https-proxy

# Yarn Classic (v1)
yarn config delete proxy
yarn config delete https-proxy

# Yarn Berry (v2+)
yarn config unset httpProxy
yarn config unset httpsProxy

# PNPM
pnpm config delete proxy
pnpm config delete https-proxy

2. Use faster internet connection

One simple and effective method can be to switch to a faster internet connection. Steer clear of activities that could consume additional data and leave less bandwidth for the package manager. This includes closing all unnecessary browser tabs and other data-consuming applications.

3. Retry command

Quite frequently, the EAI_AGAIN error can be temporary due to brief DNS server issues or network instability. Simply retrying the NPM/Yarn/PNPM command may solve the problem.

4. Clear package manager cache

In NPM and Yarn cache may also be a cause of the EAI_AGAIN error. Try retrying your command after clearing the cache with this command:

Shell
# NPM
npm cache clean --force

# Yarn
yarn cache clean

5. Use different DNS server

Sometimes, the DNS server you’re using may be facing issues. Using a different DNS server like Google’s public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or the one from Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) might help too.

Changing the DNS server on Windows to fix the EAI_AGAIN NPM error.
Changing the DNS server on Windows. Source: How to configure Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 DNS service on Windows 11, 10, or router

6. Reboot computer or server

As with many other technical issues, sometimes a simple reboot of your computer or server can fix minor problems that may contribute to the error.

7. Disable VPN or proxy

Sometimes, using a VPN or proxy at the OS level makes your package manager have connection issues. In this case, try disabling your VPN or proxy and run the NPM/Yarn/PNPM command again.

8. Connect to another network

If you’re still facing the EAI_AGAIN error, switch to a completely different network. This can help bypass potential network-specific issues causing the error.

9. Flush DNS cache

Clearing your computer’s DNS cache can also help resolve DNS-related issues that may be causing the EAI_AGAIN error. On Windows, you can do this with ipconfig /flushdns. 4 Ways to Flush the DNS Cache to Fix Web Browsing Errors.

10. Release and renew IP address

Another plausible solution to the EAI_AGAIN error can be releasing and renewing your IP address. Your IP address is what connects your computer to your network, and sometimes a bad IP configuration could possibly cause network errors.

On Windows, you can do this with ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew. How to Reset IP Address: Mac, Windows, Linux & More.

11. Use different NPM registry

If the issue persists, try switching to a different NPM registry. For example, you can switch to the official NPM registry by running:

Shell
# NPM
npm config set registry https://registry.npmjs.org/

# Yarn Classic (v1)
yarn config set registry https://registry.npmjs.org/

# Yarn Berry (v2+)
yarn config set npmRegistryServer https://registry.npmjs.org/

# PNPM
pnpm config set registry https://registry.npmjs.org/

12. Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall

In some cases, security software like antivirus or firewall programs can interfere with network requests to NPM and cause the EAI_AGAIN error. Temporarily disable them and see if it resolves the issue.

13. Update package manager and Node.js

Make sure you are using the latest versions of Node.js and NPM, Yarn, or PNPM. You can update npm by running:

Shell
# NPM
npm i -g npm@latest

# Yarn
npm i -g yarn@latest

# PNPM
npm i -g pnpm@latest

14. Try again later

Finally, if none of the above works, it may be a temporary problem with the registry server – the only thing you can do in this case is to wait for a while and then retry. Patience can sometimes be the most effective solution.

Why “Yarn 2” is actually Yarn 3

By / Last updated on September 30, 2023

What do we know as Yarn 2?

It’s the modern version of Yarn that comes with important upgrades to the package manager including PNMP-style symlinks, and an innovative new Plug ‘n’ Play module installation method for much-reduced project sizes and rapid installations.

But after migrating from Yarn 1, you’ll find something interesting, as I did – the thing widely known as Yarn 2 is actually… version 3?

After migrating to "Yarn 2" and checking the version, it was shown to be version 3.

Why is “Yarn 2” using version 3?

It’s because Yarn 1 served as the initial codebase which was completely overhauled in the Yarn v2.0 (the actual version 2), enhancing its efficiency and effectiveness, with its launch taking place in January 2020. As time moved on, the introduction of a fresh major, Yarn v3.0, happened, thankfully without the need for another codebase rewrite. The upcoming major update is expected to be Yarn v4.0, and so on.

Despite the historical tendency of releasing few major updates, there was a growing trend among some individuals to label everything that used the new codebase as “Yarn 2”, which includes Yarn 2.x versions and future ones such as 3.x. This, however, was a misinterpretation as “Yarn 2” strictly refers to the 2.x versions. A more accurate way to reference the new codebase would be “Yarn 2+” or “Yarn Berry” – a codename that the team selected for the new codebase when they started developing it.

As once stated by one of the maintainers in a related GitHub discussion:

Some people have started to colloquially call “Yarn 2” everything using this new codebase, so Yarn 2.x and beyond (including 3.x). This is incorrect though (“Yarn 2” is really just 2.x), and a better term to refer to the new codebase would be Yarn 2+, or Yarn Berry (which is the codename I picked for the new codebase when I started working on it).

arcanis, a Yarn maintainer

How to migrate from Yarn v1 to Yarn Berry

A Yarn Berry installation in progress.
A Yarn Berry installation in progress.

If you’re still using Yarn version 1 – or worse, NPM – you’re missing out.

The new Yarn is loaded with a sizable number of upgrades that will significantly improve your developer experience when you start using it. These range from notable improvements in stability, flexibility, and extensibility, to brand new features, like Constraints.

You can migrate from Yarn v1 to Yarn Berry in 7 easy steps:

  1. Make sure you’re using Node version 18+.
  2. Run corepack enable to activate Corepack.
  3. Navigate to your project directory.
  4. Run yarn set version berry.
  5. Convert your .npmrc and .yarnrc files into .yarnrc.yml (as explained here).
  6. Run yarn install to migrate the lockfile.
  7. Commit all changes.

In case you experience any issues due to breaking changes, this official Yarn Berry migration guide should help.

Final thoughts

The Yarn versioning saga teaches us an important lesson: terminology matters.

What many of us dub as “Yarn 2” is actually “Yarn 2+” or “Yarn Berry”, the game-changing codebase. This misnomer emphasizes our need to stay current, not just with evolving tools and features, but with their rightful names as well. After all, how we understand and converse about these improvements shapes our effectiveness and fluency as developers.