Unable to install dependencies - Raspberry Pi Zero 2w

[dakomi]

Hi!

I've been trying to install mm on my rpi02w using your install script, but I'm getting stuck on "unable to install dependencies"
I had a search through other closed issues, so I've also tried fresh installs running the script with and without updating first. I'm running the 64bit Raspberry Pi OS, if that could be the issue?

I've attached my install.log file from a fresh install with no prior updates, I'd appreciate you taking a look to see where it might be going wrong

Due to the limited ram, server install + lighter weight browser sounds good. Do I use the usual install script, then the external browser script for that?

Thank you!
Have a lovely new year!

install.log

[sdetweil]

Thanks for the log. Sadly the npm install produced no useful output just cannot install dependencies I’ll look at it here shortly On the browser over server. The installer does that if it detects electron didn’t install If you want it after, then you would run the separate script Nowadays, lightweight and browser are opposite 1st thing to do is increase the swap space. Sadly trixie changed it so you have to reboot before it is active Sam

…

On Tue, Dec 30, 2025 at 9:57 PM dakomi ***@***.***> wrote: *dakomi* created an issue (sdetweil/MagicMirror_scripts#118) <#118> Hi! I've been trying to install mm on my rpi02w using your install script, but I'm getting stuck on "unable to install dependencies" I had a search through other closed issues, so I've also tried fresh installs running the script with and without updating first. I'm running the 64bit Raspberry Pi OS, if that could be the issue? I've attached my install.log file from a fresh install with no prior updates, I'd appreciate you taking a look to see where it might be going wrong Due to the limited ram, server install + lighter weight browser sounds good. Do I use the usual install script, then the external browser script for that? Thank you! Have a lovely new year! install.log <https://github.com/user-attachments/files/24389910/install.log> — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#118>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AALNYHTVPFXQ34T7KMTCDCD4ENCRXAVCNFSM6AAAAACQLU46F6VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43ASLTON2WKOZTG43TCOJSGEZTIOA> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[sdetweil]

I changed the swap space before running the script

see https://forums.raspberrypi.com/viewtopic.php?t=392530#:~:text=I%20am%20trying%20to%20get,and%20have%20tried%20editing%20%2Fetc%2Frpi%2Fswap.conf.

sudo nano /etc/rpi/swap.conf
uncomment the two lines and make them look like this
ctrl-o, y to write the file out
ctrl-x to quit nano
sudo reboot
after reboot check swap size
free -m
mine looks like

free -m
               total        used        free      shared  buff/cache   available
Mem:             416         163         142           0         174         252
Swap:           2047         154        1893

[Main]
Mechanism=swapfile

[File]
FixedSizeMiB=2048

(you can remove the existing MM folder)
rm -rf ~/MagicMirror

then run the installer script..

I got

Installing dependencies ...
npm notice
npm notice New major version of npm available! 10.9.3 -> 11.7.0
npm notice Changelog: https://github.com/npm/cli/releases/tag/v11.7.0
npm notice To update run: npm install -g npm@11.7.0
npm notice

Dependencies installation Done!
setting up initial config.js

[sdetweil]

I fixed and tested w surf, still slow on the pi2w

[sdetweil]

have you made any progress?

[dakomi]

Hi!

Thanks so much for your replies!
I've started the year with a migraine, but I'll be giving things a try over the weekend!

[KataiKi]

Hello. I was struggling with this over the weekend and just found this thread today. The fix provided above worked just fine. I hope you're able to get yours working as well.

[rafaelferrari]

Hey there - I had the same issue and the proposed fix worked for me as well. Thanks!

[dakomi]

Hi! Sorry for the late reply, life has been busy.

I expanded the swap swap space and ran the ran the scripts, but when I run

cd ~/MagicMirror
export external_browser=surf
DISPLAY=:0 npm start

I get this in the terminal before Surf launches

mm@magicmirror:~ $ cd ~/MagicMirror
mm@magicmirror:~/MagicMirror $ export external_browser=surf
mm@magicmirror:~/MagicMirror $ DISPLAY=:0 npm start

> magicmirror@2.34.0 start
> ./run-start.sh $1

node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1386
  throw err;
  ^

Error: Cannot find module 'envsub'
Require stack:
- /home/mm/MagicMirror/js/app.js
- /home/mm/MagicMirror/serveronly/index.js
    at Function.<anonymous> (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1383:15)
    at Module._resolveFilename (/home/mm/MagicMirror/js/alias-resolver.js:28:30)
    at defaultResolveImpl (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1025:19)
    at resolveForCJSWithHooks (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1030:22)
    at Function._load (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1192:37)
    at TracingChannel.traceSync (node:diagnostics_channel:328:14)
    at wrapModuleLoad (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:237:24)
    at Module.require (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1463:12)
    at require (node:internal/modules/helpers:147:16)
    at Object.<anonymous> (/home/mm/MagicMirror/js/app.js:6:16) {
  code: 'MODULE_NOT_FOUND',
  requireStack: [
    '/home/mm/MagicMirror/js/app.js',
    '/home/mm/MagicMirror/serveronly/index.js'
  ]
}

Node.js v22.21.1
Starting surf  browser now, have patience, it takes a minute

and then after loading for a while, the Surf browser window says
Could not connect to localhost: Connection refused

I'm pretty sure I followed the instructions correctly?
Clean install, increase swap space, restart, run install script, run browser over server script, then launch with the above command right?

Thanks for your help!

[sdetweil]

Envsub is reported not present all the time, but doesn’t throw a error

Did the npm install complete?
You didn’t run install again, right. It will abort in MagicMirror folder is found

[dakomi]

I ran the scripts in the order I shared above. I'll try again!
Just deleting the magicmirror folder is enough to start again, right?

[sdetweil]

I got the same error when node_modules (created by npm install) wasn't there

> magicmirror@2.34.0 start
> ./run-start.sh

node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1386
  throw err;
  ^

Error: Cannot find module 'envsub'
Require stack:
- /home/sam/MagicMirror/js/app.js
- /home/sam/MagicMirror/serveronly/index.js

[dakomi]

Oh weird, I tried running

rm -rf node_modules
npm install

As well as trying to just npm install envsub, and both times it took quite a long time (15m+} and then it would restart before finishing the install

I'll try from a clean install of raspberry pi os tonight or tomorrow