> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://flazepe.gitbook.io/heliohost/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://flazepe.gitbook.io/heliohost/common-errors/could-not-spawn-process.md).

# Could Not Spawn Process for Application

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you use Node.js, we strongly recommend that you [monitor your site load here](https://heliohost.org/dashboard/load/).

Node apps often require a lot of server resources, and exceeding the account load limits will cause your user account to be [suspended for high server usage](/heliohost/accounts/suspension-policy.md#high-server-usage).
{% endhint %}

### Could not spawn process for application /\[your app path]: The application process exited prematurely.

When running a Node app using Passenger, if you receive an error message that says:

`Could not spawn process for application /[your app path]: The application process exited prematurely. Error ID: ######## Error details saved to: /tmp/passenger-error-######.html`

This is caused by using import statements of `require()`.

### How to Fix the Error

To resolve the error, change your `require()` statements to `import()`, as explained in [the answer on this discussion](https://github.com/orgs/adonisjs/discussions/4364).

### Troubleshooting Node / Passenger Issues

More detailed error reporting is available by setting the Passenger environment to `Development`.

![](https://3395442955-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Lwjgns5x95EsDajJxZl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-eaf0eda8963579b4b00b94be0da54a420378a85b%2Fnode_error_in_dev_env.png?alt=media)

To change your environment to `Development` mode, navigate to:

**Login > Plesk > Websites & Domains > \[domain] > Node.js**

![](https://3395442955-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Lwjgns5x95EsDajJxZl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5c85bdeedaf083f5d5e79e0c989e629981df7cdc%2Fnode-change-to-dev-env.png?alt=media)

In the `Development` environment, you will see the full error message:

`Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: require() of ES Module /home/domain.helioho.st/subdomain.domain.helioho.st/index.js from /usr/share/passenger/helper-scripts/node-loader.js not supported. Instead change the require of index.js in /usr/share/passenger/helper-scripts/node-loader.js to a dynamic import() which is available in all CommonJS modules. at TracingChannel.traceSync (node:diagnostics_channel:315:14) at Module.require (/usr/share/passenger/helper-scripts/node-loader.js:80:25) at loadApplication (/usr/share/passenger/helper-scripts/node-loader.js:243:2) at setupEnvironment (/usr/share/passenger/helper-scripts/node-loader.js:214:2) code: 'ERR_REQUIRE_ESM'`

![](https://3395442955-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Lwjgns5x95EsDajJxZl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b8089b380df1a475c2de41cd1a76db4ef09e94db%2Fnode_full_error_in_dev_env.png?alt=media)

### Further Support

If after changing your imports to `require()` it still isn't working, please go back and check all of your steps again. If it still isn't working after you have changed all your import statements and [cleared your web browser cache](/heliohost/misc/clear-your-cache.md), please make a new post in the [Customer Service forum](https://helionet.org/index/forum/45-customer-service/?do=add), making sure to provide your **username**, **domain name**, and details about the problem, including any **error message(s)** received.