[mongodb] mongod command not recognized when trying to connect to a mongodb server

I am following the tutorials at docs.mongodb.org, I have completed the first tutorial which was to install mongodb on a windows machine. I am now at the second stage which is getting started with mongodb development. I am stuck at the first stage of this section which instructs me to type "mongo" into a system prompt. When I do this I simply get an error message saying the following 'mongo' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. I know this is probably something quite simple that I am doing wrong, does anyone have any ideas?

This question is related to mongodb

The answer is


Apart from having a Path variable, the directory C:\data\db is mandatory.

Create this and the error shall be solved.


1.To begin using MongoDB, Open CMD with admin privilege and type : "C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\4.2\bin\mongo.exe"

2.To create data directory(open another cmd terminal) cd C:
md "\data\db" 3. To start your mongo DB database, type in cmd the following lines: "C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\4.2\bin\mongod.exe" --dbpath="c:\data\db" (The --dbpath option points to your database directory.) [you can also do step 2 and 3 first and then step 1]

ref:https://docs.mongodb.com/manual/tutorial/install-mongodb-on-windows/


Are you sure that you have specified the correct paths?

You need to be in the right directory, i.e.

C:\Program Files\MongoDB\bin

and the path you are installing into needs to be the correct one

i.e.

mongod --dbpath 
C:\Users\Name\Documents\myWebsites\nodetest1

A folder named "data" must also exist in your project folder.

I got the same error and this worked for me.


It is probably too late, but for the sake of others (like me) who faced the same problem. It is all about the little '\' at the end of the path variable. When you insert the path to MongoDB's bin directory at the end of the PATH windows variable, do not forget to put the '\' (Backslash) at the end, which tells windows it is a directory and not an executable named bin... e.g. I:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\3.0\bin\


Adding MongoDb bin path in Environment path with \ worked for me

This is what my system path

C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath;
...
...
Other path variables
...
;C:\Users\hitesh.sahu\AppData\Local\Android\sdk\platform-tools
;C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\3.2\bin\

Make sure:-

  • Environment path must not have space between them
  • Environment path must be saparated by ;

First, make sure you have the environment variable set up. 1. Right click on my computer 2. properties 3. advanced system settings 4. environment variables 5. edit the PATH variable. and add ;"C:\mongoDb\bin\" to the PATH variable.

Path in the quotes may differ depending on your installation directory. Do not forget the last '\' as it was the main problem in my case.


This worked for me: .\mongod --dbpath c:......


before using MongoDB you have to run it locally to do that:

  • go to bin folder you will find at C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\4.2\bin
  • open mongod.exe. will open a new terminal with server details.
  • open mongo.exe. will open the shell which allows you to interact with the database.

For add environment variable please add \ after bin like below

C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\3.2\bin\

Then try below code in command prompt to run mongo server from parent folder of data folder.

mongod -dbpath ./data

For my case I am unable to run mongo from command prompt(normal mode). You should run as administrator. It also works on git bash.


if still not working for you then just close all of your command prompts and then again open and run mongo, mongoimport, mongodb from anywhere it ll work because after setting the path variable command prompt should be restarted.


Seems like, The environmental variable is not correctly set up.

Go to the mongodb installation folder and get the executable files (mongo.exe, mongod.exe etc) location. (In my case) Something like :

C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\3.2\bin

Then go to :

Panel > System & Security > System > Advanced System Settings > Environment Variables 

Find the PATH variable and edit its value. Then add C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\3.2\bin and don't forget to separate each values with ;. Now confirm and exit.


You need to add Mongo's bin folder to the "Path" Environment Variable

Here's how on Windows 10:

  1. Find Mongo's bin folder.

If you're not sure where it is, it's probably in C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\3.4\ 3.4 was the latest stable version at the time, this will be different for you probably.

It should look like this:

This is what Mongo's bin folder looked like for version 3.4, the important thing is it's whatever folder contains mongod.exe. Notice this is the path to mongo.exe and mongod.exe. Adding this folder to the Path variable is telling Windows to search in this folder for executables matching your command when you run something in cmd. The search starts with the current working dir, and if it doesn't find your exe, goes on to search all the paths in Path till it finds it or it doesn't and it gives you that error you saw.

  1. Copy the path to the bin folder. It should be C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\3.4\bin\ (Or whatever version you're using)

  2. Press win, type env, Windows will suggest "Edit the System Environment Variables", click that.

How to find the system environment variables.

  1. On the Advanced tab, click "Environment Variables"

The Advanced tab in System Properties contains the Environment Variables.

  1. Highlight the "Path" variable, click "Edit":

You want to edit the Path variable to add Mongo's bin folder to it.

  1. This will bring up the "Edit environment variable" window, click "New"

Add a new folder to the Path variable

  1. This will start a new line in the list of folders:

A new line in the Path variable.

  1. Paste your path to the bin folder. Make sure it ends with a \ like so:

Paste the location of the bin folder.

  1. Press "OK", "OK", "OK"

Now you should be able to run mongod and mongo from anywhere in a command window.


putting backslash "/" at the end of path to bin of mongodb solved my problem.