env var
N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_PREVENT_LOADING
N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_PREVENT_LOADING prevents installed community nodes from loading on startup and is useful when a faulty node blocks the instance.
- Use when
- self-hosted, community nodes
- First check
- Set N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_PREVENT_LOADING=true.
- Time to check
- 5-10 minutes
- Next step
- Run the recommended steps, then verify a production execution.
Independent third-party notes. n8n is a trademark of its owner and is referenced only for compatibility and troubleshooting context.
Quick Answer
N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_PREVENT_LOADING prevents installed community nodes from loading on startup and is useful when a faulty node blocks the instance.
Key Facts
- Variable
- N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_PREVENT_LOADING
- Type
- Boolean
- Default
- false
- Best use
- Emergency recovery when installed community nodes prevent startup.
Recommended Steps
- Set N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_PREVENT_LOADING=true.
- Restart n8n.
- Remove or update the faulty community package.
- Set the variable back to false when the issue is resolved.
- Restart and confirm the instance starts normally.
Verification
- The instance starts successfully with community nodes blocked.
- After removing the faulty package, normal startup works again.
Warnings
- This does not uninstall community nodes; it prevents loading them.
- Workflows that rely on community nodes may not execute correctly while loading is prevented.