Installing MongoDB from the Official Repository

When working with Node.js applications that rely on MongoDB, one of the most common issues developers encounter is the inability to install MongoDB using their system’s default package manager. The typical error message — Package 'mongodb' has no installation candidate — usually indicates that the MongoDB version available in the default repository is outdated, missing, or deprecated.

Why Install MongoDB from the Official Repository?

The official MongoDB repository ensures you always get the latest stable and supported versions. This is critical for production systems, as outdated packages often lead to compatibility issues, missing security patches, or deprecated features that break modern Node.js drivers.

Common Real-Life Scenario

Imagine you’re deploying a Node.js app that handles customer orders in real-time. During setup on your Ubuntu server, you run:

sudo apt install mongodb

and get this frustrating message:

Package 'mongodb' has no installation candidate

Your app can’t connect, the deployment fails, and your launch timeline is delayed. This happens to thousands of developers daily — but there’s a clean and reliable fix.

Step-by-Step: Installing MongoDB from the Official Repository

1. Import the MongoDB GPG Key

MongoDB’s GPG key verifies that the packages you install are authentic and haven’t been tampered with.

curl -fsSL https://pgp.mongodb.com/server-7.0.asc | sudo gpg -o /usr/share/keyrings/mongodb-server-7.0.gpg --dearmor

2. Add the Official MongoDB Repository

Replace jammy with your Ubuntu release (e.g., focal, bionic):

echo "deb [ arch=amd64,arm64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/mongodb-server-7.0.gpg ] \
https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu jammy/mongodb-org/7.0 multiverse" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-7.0.list

3. Update the Package List

Once the repository is added, update your system package index so that apt can fetch MongoDB from the new source.

sudo apt update

4. Install MongoDB

Now install the latest stable release:

sudo apt install -y mongodb-org

5. Start and Enable the MongoDB Service

After installation, start MongoDB and enable it to launch automatically at boot:

sudo systemctl start mongod
sudo systemctl enable mongod
sudo systemctl status mongod

You should see a status message showing that MongoDB is active (running).

Verification

To confirm the installation, run:

mongosh

You’ll enter the MongoDB shell, confirming the database is operational.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Error: “Failed to start mongod” — Check logs using sudo journalctl -xeu mongod.
• Service not found? — Ensure the package name is mongodb-org (not mongodb).
• Version mismatch? — Remove old MongoDB versions before reinstalling: sudo apt remove mongodb mongodb-server.

Business Use Case Example

A logistics startup experienced repeated crashes in their Node.js microservices because the MongoDB instance installed from Ubuntu’s default repository was too old for the driver version used in their app. After switching to the official MongoDB repository, the startup not only fixed the issue but also gained access to performance improvements and robust monitoring tools available in newer releases.

SEO Insight & Real-Life Value

This lesson helps solve one of the most searched issues in developer communities: “mongodb has no installation candidate”. The steps above are directly applicable to developers, DevOps engineers, and backend teams worldwide. Whether you’re debugging a production pipeline or setting up a test environment, learning to use official repositories is an essential skill for dependable deployments.

Key Takeaways

• Always use the official MongoDB repository for current, supported versions.
• Adding the GPG key and repo manually resolves the “no installation candidate” error.
• Verify MongoDB is active using systemctl status mongod after installation.
• This approach ensures long-term stability and compatibility with modern Node.js applications.

By mastering this process, developers can prevent downtime, streamline deployments, and ensure their Node.js–MongoDB stack remains stable across environments — a small but powerful fix that can save hours (and money) for teams at any scale.