Azure Ubuntu 16.04执行apt-get install npm时404报错，求解决方案

Absolutely, adjusting your apt sources is a solid fix here—let’s walk through exactly what to do, plus cover some key context and extra checks to get you up and running smoothly.

为什么会出现这个404错误？ #

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) reached end-of-life in 2021, meaning official support (and package hosting) for it has stopped. Azure’s dedicated repo azure.archive.ubuntu.com has likely removed 16.04’s package indexes entirely, which is why your apt-get install npm is failing.

1. 切换到old-releases.ubuntu.com（推荐方案） #

The standard archive.ubuntu.com no longer hosts 16.04 packages either, so the most reliable fix is to switch to Ubuntu’s official old releases archive. Here’s how:

• First, back up your original sources list to avoid accidental breakage:

  sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list.bak
  

• Replace all instances of azure.archive.ubuntu.com with old-releases.ubuntu.com using a one-line sed command:

  sudo sed -i 's/azure.archive.ubuntu.com/old-releases.ubuntu.com/g' /etc/apt/sources.list
  

  Or if you prefer editing manually (with nano):

  sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
  

  Update every line containing azure.archive.ubuntu.com to use old-releases.ubuntu.com, then save and exit (Ctrl+O, press Enter, Ctrl+X).
• Refresh your package index to pull from the new source:

  sudo apt-get update
  

• Now install npm without the 404 error:

  sudo apt-get install npm -y
  

2. What about using archive.ubuntu.com? #

You could try replacing azure.archive.ubuntu.com with archive.ubuntu.com, but this is not recommended. Most of 16.04’s packages have been migrated to old-releases.ubuntu.com, so you’ll still likely hit 404s here. Stick with the old releases repo for consistent access.

3. Extra troubleshooting steps #

• If you still see errors after updating sources.list, check for third-party repo files in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/—these might also reference the old Azure or standard archive URLs, and you’ll need to update those to old-releases.ubuntu.com too.
• The version of npm in 16.04’s repo is quite outdated. After installing, consider upgrading to a newer stable version:

  sudo npm install -g npm@latest
  

  Note: Very old npm/node versions may have compatibility issues with modern packages. If your application needs newer features, look into using nvm (Node Version Manager) to install a supported Node version.

4. Long-term recommendation #

Ubuntu 16.04 no longer receives security updates, which poses significant risks for your server. If possible, plan to upgrade to a supported LTS version (like 20.04 or 22.04 LTS) either via Azure’s in-place upgrade tools or by deploying a new instance. This is the most secure and sustainable solution.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Alex Lee