[nodemon] app crashed - waiting for file changes before starting...
Your app threw an error on startup; nodemon is waiting for a file change to retry.
Exact message you may see
app crashed - waiting for file changes before starting[nodemon] app crashed
Seen on:
Node.js
Meaning
The message is only nodemon’s status — the real error is printed just above it.
Common causes
- Startup exception (syntax error, missing module)
- Port already in use
- Missing environment variable or config file
⚡ Quick fix
- Scroll up to the first error above this line
- Fix it and save a file to restart
- Run node directly to see output without nodemon
Detailed fix by platform
Node.js
node --trace-uncaught src/index.js
How to diagnose
- Error above — What was printed before the crash line?
- Recent change — Did it start after a deploy, upgrade, or configuration change? Compare with the last working version.
🔧 Still not fixed?
Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:
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Where this error sits
Origin: Application & API. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):
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Last updated 15 Oct 2026