Fixed: Error: error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported

Developers working with React.js and Yarn in a Node.js 18.x environment often encounter a cryptic error: Error: error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported.

Discover solutions to the Node.js 18.x OpenSSL error in React apps using Yarn. This guide offers in-depth analysis and step-by-step fixes for developers.

Problem Overview

Developers working with React.js and Yarn in a Node.js 18.x environment often encounter a cryptic error: Error: error:0308010C:digital envelope routines::unsupported. This issue stems from OpenSSL 3’s stricter cryptographic standards used in Node.js versions 17 and above. It can be a significant hurdle, especially when conventional methods don’t seem to work.

Understanding the Root Cause

Node.js 18.x has shifted to OpenSSL 3, introducing new compliance requirements for cryptographic operations. This change often leads to compatibility issues with existing Node.js applications, particularly those built with React.js and managed with Yarn.

Solution Strategies

Initial Attempts

Common first steps include:

• Setting the --openssl-legacy-provider Flag: Initially, developers might try adding this flag to react-scripts commands in package.json.
• Environment Variable Approach: Setting NODE_OPTIONS=--openssl-legacy-provider globally or in the project environment.
• Yarn Cache Cleaning: Clearing the Yarn cache and reinstalling node modules, hoping to resolve potential discrepancies.

However, these methods might not always yield success, especially with specific project configurations.

The Effective Solution

For React.js applications with scripts in package.json that directly invoke Node.js (like "start": "node scripts/start.js"), the successful approach involves embedding the NODE_OPTIONS environment variable directly within these script commands:

"scripts": {
  "start": "NODE_OPTIONS=--openssl-legacy-provider node scripts/start.js",
  "build": "NODE_OPTIONS=--openssl-legacy-provider node scripts/build.js",
  "test": "NODE_OPTIONS=--openssl-legacy-provider node scripts/test.js"
}

Steps to Implement:

1. Update package.json: Embed the NODE_OPTIONS with the --openssl-legacy-provider flag directly in the start, build, and test scripts.
2. Clear Yarn Cache: Run yarn cache clean to eliminate any stale data.
3. Remove node_modules and yarn.lock: This step ensures that all dependencies are aligned with the new configuration.
4. Reinstall Dependencies: Execute yarn install to re-fetch all packages.
5. Restart the Development Server: Run yarn start to launch the application.

Conclusion

This approach effectively resolves the OpenSSL error in React.js applications using Yarn with Node.js 18.x. By directly integrating the NODE_OPTIONS into the script commands, developers can bypass the compatibility issues introduced by OpenSSL 3, ensuring a smooth development and build process.