A local success can depend on files, environment values or tools that are absent on the server. Compare the release environments systematically instead of repeatedly reinstalling the app.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Gather the details you will need
Record the exact startup command, first error and release identifier. Confirm the hosting plan supports the required Node process and dependencies.
01 Investigate a Node app that works locally but fails on hosting
Compare Node and package-manager versions, the lock file and the actual working directory. Confirm the startup entry exists in the deployed artifact.
Check environment variables, including the assigned listener, database settings and application mode. Report missing variable names without printing their secret values.
Review filename case and path assumptions. A path that works on a case-insensitive development filesystem may fail on a Linux server.
Confirm runtime assets and native modules were built for the target environment. Check that build-only tools are not unexpectedly required by the production start command.
Start through the supported process manager and inspect its log. Test the upstream service before investigating public DNS or proxy behavior.
Confirm the expected result
Verify the app starts from a clean release using only documented configuration. Exercise the route that originally failed and confirm a controlled restart succeeds.
If the problem continues
If the process is killed without a normal exception, inspect memory and process limits. If it runs internally but returns a public 502, compare listener and proxy configuration.
A common question
Should I upload my entire development folder?
Create a complete, deliberate release artifact. Uploading everything can expose secrets and still miss environment-specific requirements, while a controlled build makes missing dependencies easier to identify.