npm install -g less does not work: EACCES: permission denied

sudo chown -R $USER /usr/local/lib/node_modules
This command will work

You can try with sudo, like the following

sudo npm install -g less

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Try installing with `sudo`. I had a similar problem installing npm package globally. The problem occurs because current use does not have write permissions for making changes in directory.

Didn't work

```
npm i -g vsce
```

Worked
```
sudo npm i -g vsce
```

You can use this command with the root password to add permission for writing for `node_module` folder:

sudo chown -R $USER /usr/local/lib/node_modules

I have got the same problem.
updating npm was not working for me either so I just decided to reinstall it.

what worked for me is uninstall node from my system using.

sudo apt-get remove nodejs
sudo apt-get remove npm

end then reinstall it after update.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt install npm