Signal-desktop: Cannot find module node_sqlite3.node, Signal 1.6.2-1 not starting anymore

Created on 18 Jan 2019 · 29Comments · Source: signalapp/Signal-Desktop

Bug Description

Signal-desktop doesn't start, cannot find module node_sqlite3.node.

Steps to Reproduce

fresh install of signal
signal-desktop

Actual Result:

Error: Cannot find module '/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/binding/electron-v3.1-linux-x64/node_sqlite3.node'
at Module._resolveFilename (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:602:15)
at Function.Module._resolveFilename (/usr/lib/electron/resources/electron.asar/common/reset-search-paths.js:35:12)
at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:528:25)
at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:658:17)
at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:20:18)
at Object. (/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:4:15)
at Object. (/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:190:3)
at Module._compile (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:711:30)
at Object.Module._extensions..js (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:722:10)
at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:620:32)
Unhandled Error: Error: Cannot find module '/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/binding/electron-v3.1-linux-x64/node_sqlite3.node'
at Module._resolveFilename (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:602:15)
at Function.Module._resolveFilename (/usr/lib/electron/resources/electron.asar/common/reset-search-paths.js:35:12)
at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:528:25)
at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:658:17)
at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:20:18)
at Object. (/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:4:15)
at Object. (/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:190:3)
at Module._compile (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:711:30)
at Object.Module._extensions..js (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:722:10)
at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:620:32)
Unhandled Error
Error: Cannot find module '/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/binding/electron-v3.1-linux-x64/node_sqlite3.node'
at Module._resolveFilename (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:602:15)
at Function.Module._resolveFilename (/usr/lib/electron/resources/electron.asar/common/reset-search-paths.js:35:12)
at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:528:25)
at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:658:17)
at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:20:18)
at Object. (/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:4:15)
at Object. (/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:190:3)
at Module._compile (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:711:30)
at Object.Module._extensions..js (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:722:10)
at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:620:32)

Expected Result:

Startup of the app.

Platform Info

Signal Version:

1.6.2-1

Operating System:

Linux master 4.20.3-arch1-1-ARCH #1 SMP PREEMPT Wed Jan 16 22:38:58 UTC 2019 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Log

full log is here: https://justpaste.it/4rkub

Source

Zethson

Most helpful comment

having this issue now on arch GNU/Linux !!! god I hate electron and js

Unhandled Error
Error: Cannot find module '/usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/binding/electron-v7.1-linux-x64/node_sqlite3.node'
Require stack:
- /usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js
- /usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/app/sql.js
- /usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/main.js
- /usr/lib/electron/resources/default_app.asar/main.js
- 
    at Module._resolveFilename (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:717:15)
    at Function../lib/common/reset-search-paths.ts.Module._resolveFilename (electron/js2c/browser_init.js:7601:16)
    at Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:622:27)
    at Module._load (electron/js2c/asar.js:717:26)
    at Function.Module._load (electron/js2c/asar.js:717:26)
    at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:775:19)
    at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:68:18)
    at Object.<anonymous> (/usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:4:15)
    at Module._compile (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:880:30)
    at Object.Module._extensions..js (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:892:10)

r3k2 on 6 Nov 2019

👍3

All 29 comments

seems to be an archlinux specific problem. same issue with signal-1.19.0-1 on arch.

kilroythe5th on 18 Jan 2019

Just came here to submit the same issue, and found it was submitted already. Got exactly the same problem on arch KDE after upgrading Electron today...

toxpal on 18 Jan 2019

The distribution you're using is not officially supported. You'll need to reach out to whoever manages it.

scottnonnenberg-signal on 18 Jan 2019

The latest binary build works for me @kilroythe5th. It's in the aur.

Zethson on 18 Jan 2019

👍1

I get this on Win10. Just updated to 1.23.0. Uninstall and reinstall using the latest (1.23.0) still gives the same error.

jbc22 on 21 Mar 2019

@jbc22 Please enter a new bug. This is a very different issue, since it's appearing on windows.

scottnonnenberg-signal on 21 Mar 2019

I get this on Win10. Just updated to 1.23.0. Uninstall and reinstall using the latest (1.23.0) still gives the same error.

I get the exact same dialog message, but I get this on Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit - just happened via the auto-update to Signal 1.23.0 today.

M5864 on 21 Mar 2019

@jbc22 We could really use more information from you - you are the only person who has experienced the 'specified module could not be found' error on something other than Win7. Also, this is the new bug that was created for this: https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Desktop/issues/3244

scottnonnenberg-signal on 22 Mar 2019

how to fix , please help

nohodee on 23 May 2019

how to fix , please help

Hi! I had the same problem, I just used an uninstaller app to do a clean uninstall.
worked fine then

NorwegianPear on 2 Jun 2019

I get the same issue on Windows 10. I installed Signal 1.24.1, signed in, used it, and it worked well. Today I opened Signal and was prompted to restart Signal for an update. It showed this error:

2019-06-25 Signal

When I click OK, Signal closes. Same error when I open Signal again. Same error after uninstalling Signal, reinstalling Signal 1.25.1, and rebooting Windows.

Previously, I was doing CLJS development on this Windows account. I wonder if it's related to my local configs.

NealEhardt on 25 Jun 2019

@NealEhardt How are you starting Signal Desktop? Its working directory needs to be the same directory Signal.exe is in.

scottnonnenberg-signal on 25 Jun 2019

@scottnonnenberg-signal thanks for replying. I was launching it from the Start menu, which has a shortcut to C:\Users\neale\AppData\Local\Programs\signal-desktop\Signal.exe.

I created a new Windows user and that user has no issue installing and launching Signal.

NealEhardt on 26 Jun 2019

@NealEhardt How did you create that problematic shortcut? How did you create the shortcut for the new user which works?

scottnonnenberg-signal on 26 Jun 2019

In both cases, the shortcuts were created by running the installer https://updates.signal.org/desktop/signal-desktop-win-1.25.2.exe

NealEhardt on 26 Jun 2019

@NealEhardt Do you have any kind of virus scanning or administrator-changed settings that might make this happen on your machine? When we test this on Windows 10 we definitely don't run into this.

scottnonnenberg-signal on 27 Jun 2019

I'm not sure what's unique about my configuration. But I'm done worrying about it, I've found a solution in creating a new user account. Just archiving the issue, someone will probably run into it again.

NealEhardt on 27 Jun 2019

Same for me after 1.25.3 update, reinstalled via 1.25.3 installer and same result.

After installing 1.24.1 again it works fine, W10 x64.

J0rnT on 12 Jul 2019

@J0rnT Please reach out to [email protected]. We'd really like to understand what computer configuration results in that error.

scottnonnenberg-signal on 15 Jul 2019

I'm also getting this, with

% uname -sr
Linux 5.2.1-arch1-1-ARCH

% pacman -Qi signal
Name            : signal
Version         : 1.25.3-1
Description     : Private messenger for the desktop
Architecture    : x86_64
URL             : https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Desktop
Licenses        : GPL3
Groups          : None
Provides        : None
Depends On      : electron  openssl-1.0
Optional Deps   : None
Required By     : None
Optional For    : None
Conflicts With  : signal-desktop-beta-bin  signal-desktop-bin
Replaces        : None
Installed Size  : 98.61 MiB
Packager        : Unknown Packager
Build Date      : Fri 28 Jun 2019 11:19:10 PM EDT
Install Date    : Fri 28 Jun 2019 11:20:50 PM EDT
Install Reason  : Explicitly installed
Install Script  : No
Validated By    : None

% pacman -Q electron openssl-1.0
electron 5.0.7-1
openssl-1.0 1.0.2.s-1

And then I get this stacktrace:

% signal-desktop
Set Windows Application User Model ID (AUMID) { appUserModelId: 'org.whispersystems.signal-desktop' }
NODE_ENV production
NODE_CONFIG_DIR /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/config
NODE_CONFIG {}
ALLOW_CONFIG_MUTATIONS undefined
HOSTNAME undefined
NODE_APP_INSTANCE undefined
SUPPRESS_NO_CONFIG_WARNING undefined
userData: /home/henrywallace/.config/Signal
config/get: Successfully read user config file
config/get: Successfully read ephemeral config file
App threw an error during load
Error: Cannot find module '/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/binding/electron-v5.0-linux-x64/node_sqlite3.node'
Require stack:
- /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js
- /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/app/sql.js
- /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/main.js
- /usr/lib/electron/resources/default_app.asar/main.js
-
    at Module._resolveFilename (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:659:15)
    at Function.Module._resolveFilename (/usr/lib/electron/resources/electron.asar/common/reset-search-paths.js:43:12)
    at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:577:27)
    at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:715:19)
    at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:14:16)
    at Object.<anonymous> (/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:4:15)
    at Module._compile (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:815:30)
    at Object.Module._extensions..js (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:827:10)
    at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:677:32)
    at tryModuleLoad (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:609:12)
Unhandled Error: Error: Cannot find module '/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/binding/electron-v5.0-linux-x64/node_sqlite3.node'
Require stack:
- /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js
- /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/app/sql.js
- /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/main.js
- /usr/lib/electron/resources/default_app.asar/main.js
-
    at Module._resolveFilename (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:659:15)
    at Function.Module._resolveFilename (/usr/lib/electron/resources/electron.asar/common/reset-search-paths.js:43:12)
    at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:577:27)
    at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:715:19)
    at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:14:16)
    at Object.<anonymous> (/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:4:15)
    at Module._compile (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:815:30)
    at Object.Module._extensions..js (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:827:10)
    at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:677:32)
    at tryModuleLoad (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:609:12)
Unhandled Error
Error: Cannot find module '/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/binding/electron-v5.0-linux-x64/node_sqlite3.node'
Require stack:
- /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js
- /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/app/sql.js
- /usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/main.js
- /usr/lib/electron/resources/default_app.asar/main.js
-
    at Module._resolveFilename (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:659:15)
    at Function.Module._resolveFilename (/usr/lib/electron/resources/electron.asar/common/reset-search-paths.js:43:12)
    at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:577:27)
    at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:715:19)
    at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:14:16)
    at Object.<anonymous> (/usr/lib/signal/resources/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:4:15)
    at Module._compile (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:815:30)
    at Object.Module._extensions..js (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:827:10)
    at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:677:32)
    at tryModuleLoad (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:609:12)

henrywallace on 21 Jul 2019

I've the same problem with a PC WIN7. Has anyone found a solution?

I've also tried to create a new user as NealEhardt suggested, but nothing changed.

p.s. I thought that this windows isn't updated.

tabache on 29 Jul 2019

Resolved.
Just installed Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 redistributable
reinstalled Singnal ... working

tabache on 29 Jul 2019

having this issue now on arch GNU/Linux !!! god I hate electron and js

Unhandled Error
Error: Cannot find module '/usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/binding/electron-v7.1-linux-x64/node_sqlite3.node'
Require stack:
- /usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js
- /usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/app/sql.js
- /usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/main.js
- /usr/lib/electron/resources/default_app.asar/main.js
- 
    at Module._resolveFilename (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:717:15)
    at Function../lib/common/reset-search-paths.ts.Module._resolveFilename (electron/js2c/browser_init.js:7601:16)
    at Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:622:27)
    at Module._load (electron/js2c/asar.js:717:26)
    at Function.Module._load (electron/js2c/asar.js:717:26)
    at Module.require (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:775:19)
    at require (internal/modules/cjs/helpers.js:68:18)
    at Object.<anonymous> (/usr/lib/signal-desktop/app.asar/node_modules/@journeyapps/sqlcipher/lib/sqlite3.js:4:15)
    at Module._compile (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:880:30)
    at Object.Module._extensions..js (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:892:10)

r3k2 on 6 Nov 2019

👍3

@ReK2Fernandez Please enter a new bug. In particular, I'm interested in hearing what exact platform you're on, and how exactly you installed Signal Desktop.

scottnonnenberg-signal on 6 Nov 2019

I said above is Arch GNU/Linux package manager is pacman similar to this issue: https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Desktop/issues/3065

r3k2 on 7 Nov 2019

Please reach out to whoever builds packages for pacman. The only packages we produce and officially support are the .deb files available from updates.signal.org. Please let them know that they can reach out to us with questions about how to set up their build process if they're having trouble.

scottnonnenberg-signal on 7 Nov 2019

Same problem here. Installed deb from updates.signal.org on Debian using apt-get. Version 1.32.0

styxxx on 5 Mar 2020

@styxxx This is a long thread; please provide your full error message. Also, please provide specific distro/kernel information for your linux install.

scottnonnenberg-signal on 5 Mar 2020

I faced this issue during the new update of the signal (the one that introduces the new logo). I was able to fix this problem by installing: "Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017 and 2019". My machine runs Windows 10. Steps to fix:

Go here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads
Download install: EITHER x86: vc_redist.x86.exe OR x64: vc_redist.x64.exe (Depends whether your installation is 32 or 64 bit).
Restart PC.
Reinstall Signal.

Do not delete any existing installations or files to not risk losing your chats.