The error: “Node.js: SyntaxError: Cannot use import statement outside a module” is a common error that can show up in many ways. In this blog, we will go through some of the ways you can fix this issue. Read on.

When dose this error happen?

When running your index.js file, the following error may appears in your stack track.

SyntaxError: Cannot use import statement outside a module

Here can be your Index.js file:

require('dotenv').config()

import {startServer} from './server'

How To Solve The Error: “Node.js: SyntaxError: Cannot use import statement outside a module”?

Approach 1: Include “type”: “module” in your package.json

1. Access your package.json file to resolve this issue. 
2. Simply enter “module” in the top-level “type” field. 
3. All .js and .mjs files will be read as ES modules as a result of this. 
4. Individual files with the .cjs extension can be interpreted as CommonJS. 
5. As shown below, include “type”: “module” at the higher level.

// package.json

{

  "name": "my-project",

  "version": "0.0.0",

  "type": "module",

  "scripts": { ...

  },

  ...

}

Approach 2: Adjust module to commonjs

If you’re having trouble with Typescript, simply switch:

"module": "esnext",

to:

 "module": "commonjs",

Approach 3: Replace .js files with .mjs files

• Replace .js files with .mjs files.
• When you launch your program, add the –experimental-modules flag.
• Add “type”: “module” to your package.json as an option.

Approach 4: Adding esnext

If you have an issue with TypeScript follow this way to fix it

by changing from:

 "target": "esnext",
"module": "esnext",

to this:

 "target": "esnext",
"module": "commonjs",

Approach 5: Adding esnext

1. Turn your js file into .mjs 

2. “require” is not defined with the ES6 module, so define it this :

   import { createRequire } from 'module'
   const require = createRequire(import.meta.url);

   Now ‘require’ can be used in the usual way.

3. Apply import for ES6 modules and require for CommonJS.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article about the error. With this knowledge, we know that you can fix your error: “Node.js: SyntaxError: Cannot use import statement outside a module” quickly by following these steps! If you still have any other questions about fixing this syntax error, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!