TypeError [ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE]: The "paths[0]" argument must be of type string. Received undefined

[jlquijada]

• I have searched for similar issues

---

Steps to Reproduce

just run npx npm-check-updates on a working angular project that needs updates of some packages.

Steps:

npx npm-check-updates -u

Current Behavior

When there is any update, at the end it shows the following message:

TypeError [ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE]: The "paths[0]" argument must be of type string. Received undefined
at Object.resolve (node:path:213:9)
at fS (C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Local\npm-cache_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:645:859)
at rP (C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Local\npm-cache_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:645:1239)
at nP (C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Local\npm-cache_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:647:84) {
code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE'
}
Unhandled Rejection! This is a bug and should be reported: https://github.com/raineorshine/npm-check-updates/issues

The package.json is updated correctly, just the error message appears at the end of the process.

Expected Behavior

Just do the updates, without the error:

[====================] 37/37 100%

@angular-devkit/build-angular ~20.3.1 → ~20.3.3
@angular/animations ~20.3.0 → ~20.3.2
@angular/cli ~20.3.1 → ~20.3.3
@angular/common ~20.3.0 → ~20.3.2
@angular/compiler ~20.3.0 → ~20.3.2
@angular/compiler-cli ~20.3.0 → ~20.3.2
@angular/core ~20.3.0 → ~20.3.2
@angular/forms ~20.3.0 → ~20.3.2
@angular/platform-browser ~20.3.0 → ~20.3.2
@angular/platform-browser-dynamic ~20.3.0 → ~20.3.2
@angular/router ~20.3.0 → ~20.3.2
@eslint/js ^9.35.0 → ^9.36.0
@types/node ^24.5.0 → ^24.5.2
@typescript-eslint/eslint-plugin 8.44.0 → 8.44.1
@typescript-eslint/parser 8.44.0 → 8.44.1
eslint ^9.35.0 → ^9.36.0

[raineorshine]

Hi, thanks for reporting.

Could you share a repo or package.json? I wasn't able to reproduce.

This ran without error for me:

$ npx npm-check-updates -u
Upgrading /Users/raine/projects/ncu-issues/1558/package.json
[--------------------] 0/16 0%(node:38820) [DEP0005] DeprecationWarning: Buffer() is deprecated due to security and usability issues. Please use the Buffer.alloc(), Buffer.allocUnsafe(), or Buffer.from() methods instead.
(Use `node --trace-deprecation ...` to show where the warning was created)
[====================] 16/16 100%

 @angular-devkit/build-angular      ~20.3.1  →  ~20.3.3
 @angular/animations                ~20.3.0  →  ~20.3.2
 @angular/cli                       ~20.3.1  →  ~20.3.3
 @angular/common                    ~20.3.0  →  ~20.3.2
 @angular/compiler                  ~20.3.0  →  ~20.3.2
 @angular/compiler-cli              ~20.3.0  →  ~20.3.2
 @angular/core                      ~20.3.0  →  ~20.3.2
 @angular/forms                     ~20.3.0  →  ~20.3.2
 @angular/platform-browser          ~20.3.0  →  ~20.3.2
 @angular/platform-browser-dynamic  ~20.3.0  →  ~20.3.2
 @angular/router                    ~20.3.0  →  ~20.3.2
 @eslint/js                         ^9.35.0  →  ^9.36.0
 @types/node                        ^24.5.0  →  ^24.5.2
 @typescript-eslint/eslint-plugin    8.44.0  →   8.44.1
 @typescript-eslint/parser           8.44.0  →   8.44.1
 eslint                             ^9.35.0  →  ^9.36.0

Run npm install to install new versions.

[joebnb]

The "paths[0]" argument must be of type string. Received undefined

same issue

  try {
                await ncu.run({
                    cache: true,
                    cacheExpiration: 60,
                    packageFile: targetPackageJson,
                    registry: options.registry || '',
                    packageManager: 'npm',
                    upgrade: true,
                    silent: options.silent || true,
                });
            } catch (error) {
                spinner.fail(`Failed to update ${options.packageName}`);
                console.error(`Failed to update ${options.packageName} package info: ${targetPackageJson}`, error);
            }

[ERROR]: Failed to update @x/x-linter-common package info: /home/gitlab-runner/.x/plugin/node_modules/@x/x-linter-common/package.json TypeError [ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE]: The "paths[0]" argument must be of type string. Received undefined
at Object.resolve (node:path:1186:7)
at B_ (/home/gitlab-runner/.x/core/node_modules/npm-check-updates/build/index.js:646:859)
at WB (/home/gitlab-runner/.x/core/node_modules/npm-check-updates/build/index.js:646:1239)
at zB (/home/gitlab-runner/.x/core/node_modules/npm-check-updates/build/index.js:648:84)
at async checkUpdate (file:///home/gitlab-runner/.x/core/node_modules/@x/x-updater/lib/index.js:62:17)
at async Command.runLint (file:///home/gitlab-runner/.x/core/node_modules/@x/x-core/lib/command/lint.js:11:25) {
code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE'
}

[joebnb]

this error are existed in 18.3.1 and 19.0.0, in 17.1.18 using same config are works well

[raineorshine]

Hi @joebnb. Can you provide the package.json dependencies? Otherwise I have no way to reproduce the issue.

[ZaouiAmine]

i got the same problem , it was dumb but i was running the commands one folder higher where there was no package.json

[raineorshine]

@ZaouiAmine If npm-check-updates is run in a directory without a package.json, you will typically see this error:

No package.json
Please add a package.json to the current directory, specify the --packageFile or --packageData options, or pipe a package.json to stdin and specify --stdin.

If anyone has a test repo where this occurs I'd be happy to try to reproduce.

[ZaouiAmine]

the steps i took were :

• created a wails project using vue a template
• the template is outdated
• i didnt navigate into the frontend folder
• i ran the npx commad
• i got the errors

[jlquijada]

Ok, sorry, I thought this would be solved already. For example, today I had this package.json on one of my Angular projects:

{
    "name": "test_project",
    "version": "3.5.0",
    "scripts": {
        "ng": "ng",
        "start": "ng serve",
        "build": "ng build",
        "watch": "ng build --watch --configuration=development",
        "test": "ng test",
        "lint": "ng lint"
    },
    "private": true,
    "dependencies": {
        "@angular/common": "^20.3.3",
        "@angular/compiler": "^20.3.3",
        "@angular/core": "^20.3.3",
        "@angular/forms": "^20.3.3",
        "@angular/google-maps": "^20.2.7",
        "@angular/platform-browser": "^20.3.3",
        "@angular/platform-browser-dynamic": "^20.3.3",
        "@angular/router": "^20.3.3",
        "@ngx-translate/core": "^17.0.0",
        "@ngx-translate/http-loader": "^17.0.0",
        "chart.js": "^4.5.0",
        "core-js": "^3.45.1",
        "run-script-os": "^1.1.6",
        "rxjs": "^7.8.2",
        "tslib": "^2.8.1",
        "zone.js": "^0.15.1"
    },
    "devDependencies": {
        "@angular-devkit/architect": "^0.2003.4",
        "@angular-devkit/build-angular": "^20.3.4",
        "@angular-devkit/core": "^20.3.4",
        "@angular-eslint/builder": "^20.3.0",
        "@angular-eslint/eslint-plugin": "^20.3.0",
        "@angular-eslint/eslint-plugin-template": "^20.3.0",
        "@angular-eslint/schematics": "^20.3.0",
        "@angular-eslint/template-parser": "^20.3.0",
        "@angular/cdk": "^20.2.7",
        "@angular/cli": "^20.3.4",
        "@angular/compiler-cli": "~20.3.3",
        "@eslint/eslintrc": "^3.3.1",
        "@eslint/js": "^9.36.0",
        "@schematics/angular": "^20.3.4",
        "@types/jasmine": "^5.1.9",
        "@types/node": "^24.6.2",
        "@typescript-eslint/eslint-plugin": "^8.45.0",
        "@typescript-eslint/parser": "^8.45.0",
        "eslint": "^9.36.0",
        "eslint-plugin-import": "^2.32.0",
        "eslint-plugin-jsdoc": "^60.7.1",
        "eslint-plugin-prefer-arrow": "^1.2.3",
        "jasmine-core": "^5.11.0",
        "jasmine-spec-reporter": "^7.0.0",
        "karma": "^6.4.4",
        "karma-chrome-launcher": "^3.2.0",
        "karma-coverage": "^2.2.1",
        "karma-coverage-istanbul-reporter": "^3.0.3",
        "karma-jasmine": "^5.1.0",
        "karma-jasmine-html-reporter": "^2.1.0",
        "ts-node": "^10.9.2",
        "typescript": "~5.9.3"
    }
}

then running npx npm-check-updates -u produced the following output:

Need to install the following packages:
npm-check-updates@19.1.1
Ok to proceed? (y) y

Upgrading C:\_work\Projects\Swisscom\HSRM\pwlan-ui\pwlan-ui\ClientApp\package.json
[====================] 48/48 100%

 @angular-devkit/architect               ^0.2003.4  →  ^0.2003.7
 @angular-devkit/build-angular             ^20.3.4  →    ^20.3.7
 @angular-devkit/core                      ^20.3.4  →    ^20.3.7
 @angular-eslint/builder                   ^20.3.0  →    ^20.4.0
 @angular-eslint/eslint-plugin             ^20.3.0  →    ^20.4.0
 @angular-eslint/eslint-plugin-template    ^20.3.0  →    ^20.4.0
 @angular-eslint/schematics                ^20.3.0  →    ^20.4.0
 @angular-eslint/template-parser           ^20.3.0  →    ^20.4.0
 @angular/cdk                              ^20.2.7  →   ^20.2.10
 @angular/cli                              ^20.3.4  →    ^20.3.7
 @angular/common                           ^20.3.3  →    ^20.3.7
 @angular/compiler                         ^20.3.3  →    ^20.3.7
 @angular/compiler-cli                     ~20.3.3  →    ~20.3.7
 @angular/core                             ^20.3.3  →    ^20.3.7
 @angular/forms                            ^20.3.3  →    ^20.3.7
 @angular/google-maps                      ^20.2.7  →   ^20.2.10
 @angular/platform-browser                 ^20.3.3  →    ^20.3.7
 @angular/platform-browser-dynamic         ^20.3.3  →    ^20.3.7
 @angular/router                           ^20.3.3  →    ^20.3.7
 @eslint/js                                ^9.36.0  →    ^9.38.0
 @schematics/angular                       ^20.3.4  →    ^20.3.7
 @types/jasmine                             ^5.1.9  →    ^5.1.12
 @types/node                               ^24.6.2  →    ^24.9.1
 @typescript-eslint/eslint-plugin          ^8.45.0  →    ^8.46.2
 @typescript-eslint/parser                 ^8.45.0  →    ^8.46.2
 chart.js                                   ^4.5.0  →     ^4.5.1
 core-js                                   ^3.45.1  →    ^3.46.0
 eslint                                    ^9.36.0  →    ^9.38.0
 eslint-plugin-jsdoc                       ^60.7.1  →    ^61.1.5
 jasmine-core                              ^5.11.0  →    ^5.12.0
TypeError [ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE]: The "paths[0]" argument must be of type string. Received undefined
    at Object.resolve (node:path:214:9)
    at B_ (C:\Users\xxx\AppData\Local\npm-cache\_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:655:859)
    at WB (C:\Users\xxx\AppData\Local\npm-cache\_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:655:1239)
    at zB (C:\Users\xxx\AppData\Local\npm-cache\_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:657:84) {
  code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE'
}
Unhandled Rejection! This is a bug and should be reported: https://github.com/raineorshine/npm-check-updates/issues

Then the package.json was updated correctly (despite the error message):

{
    "name": "test_project",
    "version": "3.5.0",
    "scripts": {
        "ng": "ng",
        "start": "ng serve",
        "build": "ng build",
        "watch": "ng build --watch --configuration=development",
        "test": "ng test",
        "lint": "ng lint"
    },
    "private": true,
    "dependencies": {
        "@angular/common": "^20.3.7",
        "@angular/compiler": "^20.3.7",
        "@angular/core": "^20.3.7",
        "@angular/forms": "^20.3.7",
        "@angular/google-maps": "^20.2.10",
        "@angular/platform-browser": "^20.3.7",
        "@angular/platform-browser-dynamic": "^20.3.7",
        "@angular/router": "^20.3.7",
        "@ngx-translate/core": "^17.0.0",
        "@ngx-translate/http-loader": "^17.0.0",
        "chart.js": "^4.5.1",
        "core-js": "^3.46.0",
        "run-script-os": "^1.1.6",
        "rxjs": "^7.8.2",
        "tslib": "^2.8.1",
        "zone.js": "^0.15.1"
    },
    "devDependencies": {
        "@angular-devkit/architect": "^0.2003.7",
        "@angular-devkit/build-angular": "^20.3.7",
        "@angular-devkit/core": "^20.3.7",
        "@angular-eslint/builder": "^20.4.0",
        "@angular-eslint/eslint-plugin": "^20.4.0",
        "@angular-eslint/eslint-plugin-template": "^20.4.0",
        "@angular-eslint/schematics": "^20.4.0",
        "@angular-eslint/template-parser": "^20.4.0",
        "@angular/cdk": "^20.2.10",
        "@angular/cli": "^20.3.7",
        "@angular/compiler-cli": "~20.3.7",
        "@eslint/eslintrc": "^3.3.1",
        "@eslint/js": "^9.38.0",
        "@schematics/angular": "^20.3.7",
        "@types/jasmine": "^5.1.12",
        "@types/node": "^24.9.1",
        "@typescript-eslint/eslint-plugin": "^8.46.2",
        "@typescript-eslint/parser": "^8.46.2",
        "eslint": "^9.38.0",
        "eslint-plugin-import": "^2.32.0",
        "eslint-plugin-jsdoc": "^61.1.5",
        "eslint-plugin-prefer-arrow": "^1.2.3",
        "jasmine-core": "^5.12.0",
        "jasmine-spec-reporter": "^7.0.0",
        "karma": "^6.4.4",
        "karma-chrome-launcher": "^3.2.0",
        "karma-coverage": "^2.2.1",
        "karma-coverage-istanbul-reporter": "^3.0.3",
        "karma-jasmine": "^5.1.0",
        "karma-jasmine-html-reporter": "^2.1.0",
        "ts-node": "^10.9.2",
        "typescript": "~5.9.3"
    }
}

And this happens for every Angular project that I have been updating.

I already tried removing the npm cache, re-installing node-js, updating node-js to the latest, manually removing the node_modules both on my user and on the projects... nothing works.

Running choco upgrade nodejs-lts -y indicates me that I have version 22.21.0 installed (up-to-date)

Best regards. I hope this helps you reproduce the problem.

[raineorshine]

Thanks for the update! Would you mind executing npm-check-updates from source to get an accurate stack trace? That would help me identify where the exception is being thrown.

git clone https://github.com/raineorshine/npm-check-updates /MY_PROJECTS
npx tsx /MY_PROJECTS/npm-check-updates/src/bin/cli.ts

FYI I ran npx npm-check-updates -u on the package.json you provided and unfortunately I didn't get any error message. There must be something in your system path or env that is causal.

[jlquijada]

I can try but I really doubt that on three differfent computers it will have the same behavior. Also I'm not the only one to report this.

[jlquijada]

Ok, I have installed the "current" version of nodejs (with choco install nodejs --version="25.1.0") and now I don't get the error. Previously I was using the "LTS" (choco install nodejs --version="24.11.0"). I will check in the other computers if this is also working (not sure about the version npmjs on those).

Latest run on this computer:

 npx npm-check-updates -u


Upgrading C:\*********************************************\package.json
[====================] 34/34 100%

 @angular-eslint/builder                   20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/eslint-plugin             20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/eslint-plugin-template    20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/schematics                20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/template-parser           20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @types/node                              ^24.9.2  →  ^24.10.0
 angular-eslint                            20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 eslint                                   ^9.38.0  →   ^9.39.1
 eslint-plugin-jsdoc                     ^61.1.11  →  ^61.1.12
 jsdom                                    ^27.0.1  →   ^27.1.0
 typescript-eslint                         8.46.2  →    8.46.3
 vitest                                    ^3.2.4  →    ^4.0.7

Run npm install to install new versions.

Update: After this, I run it on another project, and I still get the error:

npx npm-check-updates -u


Upgrading C:\***\package.json
[====================] 35/35 100%

 @angular-devkit/build-angular           ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.8
 @angular-eslint/builder                  20.4.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/eslint-plugin            20.4.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/eslint-plugin-template   20.4.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/schematics               20.4.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/template-parser          20.4.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular/cli                            ~20.3.6  →   ~20.3.8
 @angular/common                         ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.9
 @angular/compiler                       ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.9
 @angular/compiler-cli                   ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.9
 @angular/core                           ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.9
 @angular/forms                          ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.9
 @angular/platform-browser               ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.9
 @angular/platform-browser-dynamic       ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.9
 @angular/router                         ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.9
 @eslint/js                              ^9.37.0  →   ^9.39.1
 @schematics/angular                     ^20.3.6  →   ^20.3.8
 @types/jasmine                          ~5.1.11  →   ~5.1.12
 @types/node                             ^24.8.0  →  ^24.10.0
 @types/qrcode                            ^1.5.5  →    ^1.5.6
 @typescript-eslint/eslint-plugin         8.46.1  →    8.46.3
 @typescript-eslint/parser                8.46.1  →    8.46.3
 eslint                                  ^9.37.0  →   ^9.39.1
 eslint-plugin-jsdoc                     ^61.1.4  →  ^61.1.12
 jsdom                                   ^27.0.0  →   ^27.1.0
 vitest                                   ^3.2.4  →    ^4.0.7
TypeError [ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE]: The "paths[0]" argument must be of type string. Received undefined
    at Object.resolve (node:path:199:9)
    at B_ (C:\Users\***\AppData\Local\npm-cache\_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:655:859)
    at WB (C:\Users\***\AppData\Local\npm-cache\_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:655:1239)
    at zB (C:\Users\***\AppData\Local\npm-cache\_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:657:84) {
  code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE'
}
Unhandled Rejection! This is a bug and should be reported: https://github.com/raineorshine/npm-check-updates/issues

[jlquijada]

On this other computer I have installed nodejs 24.10.0.

And I get this message still:

 npx npm-check-updates -u
Upgrading C:\****************\package.json
[====================] 44/44 100%

 @angular-eslint/builder                   20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/eslint-plugin             20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/eslint-plugin-template    20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/schematics                20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular-eslint/template-parser           20.5.0  →    20.5.1
 @angular/cdk                            ^20.2.10  →  ^20.2.11
 @eslint/js                               ^9.38.0  →   ^9.39.1
 @types/node                              ^24.9.2  →  ^24.10.0
 @typescript-eslint/eslint-plugin          8.46.2  →    8.46.3
 @typescript-eslint/parser                 8.46.2  →    8.46.3
 eslint                                   ^9.38.0  →   ^9.39.1
 eslint-plugin-jsdoc                     ^61.1.11  →  ^61.1.12
 jsdom                                    ^27.0.1  →   ^27.1.0
 vitest                                    ^3.2.4  →    ^4.0.7
TypeError [ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE]: The "paths[0]" argument must be of type string. Received undefined
    at Object.resolve (node:path:199:9)
    at B_ (C:\Users\*****\AppData\Local\npm-cache\_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:655:859)
    at WB (C:\Users\*****\AppData\Local\npm-cache\_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:655:1239)
    at zB (C:\Users\*****\AppData\Local\npm-cache\_npx\0a80f0fb114540fe\node_modules\npm-check-updates\build\index.js:657:84) {
  code: 'ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE'
}
Unhandled Rejection! This is a bug and should be reported: https://github.com/raineorshine/npm-check-updates/issues