By UATeam in Salesforce —

"sfdx is not recognized as an internal or external command": How to Fix It

The error "sfdx is not recognized as an internal or external command" typically occurs when trying to use the Salesforce CLI (sfdx) in a terminal or command prompt. This error indicates that the Salesforce CLI is not properly installed or configured on your system. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons for this issue and provide step-by-step solutions.

What Causes the Error?

  1. Salesforce CLI Not Installed:
    • The Salesforce CLI is not installed on your system.
  2. Path Variable Not Configured:
    • The system does not know where to find the sfdx executable because the PATH environment variable is not set correctly.
  3. Incomplete Installation:
    • The installation process was interrupted or failed.
  4. Terminal Configuration Issues:
    • The terminal or command prompt is not configured to recognize the sfdx command.

How to Fix "sfdx is not recognized as an internal or external command"

Step 1: Check If Salesforce CLI Is Installed

Verify if Salesforce CLI is installed on your system.

  1. Open your terminal or command prompt.
  2. If the command is not recognized, proceed to install Salesforce CLI.

Run the following command:

sfdx --version

Step 2: Install Salesforce CLI

  1. Download Salesforce CLI:
  2. Install the CLI:
    • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. Verify Installation:
    • Open a new terminal or command prompt.
    • If the version number is displayed, the CLI is installed correctly.

Run:

sfdx --version

Step 3: Add Salesforce CLI to the PATH Environment Variable

If the CLI is installed but still not recognized, the issue might be with the PATH environment variable.

For Windows:

  1. Open System Properties:
    • Press Win + Pause/Break, then click on Advanced system settings.
  2. Edit Environment Variables:
    • Click on Environment Variables.
    • Under System Variables, find the Path variable and click Edit.
  3. Add Salesforce CLI Path:
  5. Save Changes:
    • Click OK to close all dialogs.

Restart your terminal or command prompt and try running:

sfdx --version

Add the directory where sfdx is installed. The default path is:

C:\Program Files\Salesforce CLI\bin

For macOS/Linux:

  1. Open the Terminal and edit your shell configuration file:
    • For bash, edit ~/.bashrc.
    • For zsh, edit ~/.zshrc.

Verify Installation:

sfdx --version

Save Changes and Reload Configuration:

source ~/.bashrc

Or, if using zsh:

source ~/.zshrc

Add the Following Line:

export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"

Adjust the path if Salesforce CLI is installed in a different directory.

Step 4: Reinstall Salesforce CLI

If the issue persists, uninstall and reinstall Salesforce CLI to ensure a clean installation.

  1. Uninstall the CLI:
    • On Windows, use Add or Remove Programs.
    • On macOS/Linux, remove the CLI binaries using your package manager or manually delete them.
  2. Reinstall:
    • Follow the installation steps outlined in Step 2.

Step 5: Use Correct Terminal

Ensure you are using a terminal compatible with Salesforce CLI:

  • On Windows, use Command Prompt, PowerShell, or a third-party terminal like Git Bash.
  • On macOS/Linux, use the default terminal or tools like iTerm2.

Step 6: Verify Node.js Dependency

Salesforce CLI depends on Node.js. Ensure Node.js is installed and updated:

  1. If Node.js is missing or outdated, install it from the official Node.js website.

Check Node.js version:

node -v

Troubleshooting Tips

  1. Check CLI Logs:
    • Salesforce CLI logs errors in .sfdx (located in your home directory). Check logs for additional insights.
  2. Run CLI as Administrator:
    • On Windows, run the terminal as an administrator to ensure sufficient permissions.
  3. Check for Conflicting Installations:
    • Ensure there is no conflict with other programs or old versions of Salesforce CLI.

Conclusion

The error "sfdx is not recognized as an internal or external command" is often caused by an incorrect or incomplete installation of the Salesforce CLI or misconfigured environment variables. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can resolve the issue and start using Salesforce CLI effectively. Regular updates and proper configuration will help ensure a smooth experience with the Salesforce Developer tools.