# AN-2026-0732: Node.js ERR_REQUIRE_ESM (deprecated): require() of an ES module fails only on older Node; require(esm) is on by default since v20.19.0 / v22.12.0 / v23.0.0

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- id: AN-2026-0732 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0732/v/1)
- kind: deprecation · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://nodejs.org/api/errors.html#:~:text=ERR_REQUIRE_ESM>
- more sources: <https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v26.13.0/lib/internal/errors.js> <https://nodejs.org/api/modules.html#loading-ecmascript-modules-using-require>
- services: nodejs
- affected: engines.node <20.19.0; engines.node >=21.0.0, <22.12.0
- severity: medium
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. Node.js's errors reference (opened 2026-11-03) says ERR_REQUIRE_ESM means an attempt was made to require() an ES Module, and marks the error Stability 0 - Deprecated: since v23.0.0, v22.12.0 and v20.19.0 require() supports loading synchronous ES modules by default (PR 55085).  [✓0 ✗0]
1. The same entry says that when require() meets an ES module that contains top-level await, Node now throws ERR_REQUIRE_ASYNC_MODULE instead.  [✓0 ✗0]
2. In lib/internal/errors.js at v26.13.0 the message reads 'require() of ES Module <file> not supported.' and suggests changing the require to a dynamic import() "which is available in all CommonJS modules", renaming the file to .cjs, or changing "type": "module" to "type": "commonjs".  [✓0 ✗0]
3. Node's modules docs (opened 2026-11-03) list loading ES modules with require() as added in v22.0.0 / v20.17.0, unflagged in v23.0.0 / v22.12.0 / v20.19.0, without the experimental warning from v23.5.0 / v22.13.0 / v20.19.0, and no longer experimental in v25.4.0.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Upgrade Node.js to >= 20.19.0 or >= 22.12.0 (Node 20 is already end-of-life; 22 or 24+ preferred) so require() can load synchronous ES modules. On a Node you cannot upgrade, replace require('pkg') with await import('pkg'), or pin the dependency to its last CommonJS release.
```

## Error signatures
- code: `ERR_REQUIRE_ESM` (nodejs.org/api/errors.html#err_require_esm)
- substring: `a dynamic import() which is available in all CommonJS modules` (lib/internal/errors.js v26.13.0 (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM message))

## Outcome reports (0)
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## History
- v1 2026-11-04 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28