Node not recognizing correct default version

Question

I have been unable to change, or at least get node to recognize my default node version as v20.8.1. I installed the version and ran nvm list to confirm that it was installed, and it's there. I also ran the command nvm alias default 20.8.1 and did not receive any errors. I have also tried to run nvm use default and nvm use 20.8.1, which shows v20.8.1. In the list of versions, v20.8.1 is identified as the default version, however, when I run node -v, it is showing that my version is v19.6.0. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong here?

~ nvm alias default 20.8.1
default -> 20.8.1 (-> v20.8.1)

—

~ nvm list
        v8.12.0
       v10.15.3
       v12.11.0
        v16.0.0
        v16.4.1
       v16.10.0
       v16.11.1
       v16.13.0
        v17.0.1
        v17.1.0
        v18.0.0
       v18.12.0
       v18.12.1
        v19.6.0
        v20.0.0
        v20.1.0
        v20.5.0
        v20.8.1
->       system
default -> 20.8.1 (-> v20.8.1)
iojs -> N/A (default)
unstable -> N/A (default)
node -> stable (-> v20.8.1) (default)
stable -> 20.8 (-> v20.8.1) (default)
lts/* -> lts/hydrogen (-> N/A)
lts/argon -> v4.9.1 (-> N/A)
lts/boron -> v6.17.1 (-> N/A)
lts/carbon -> v8.17.0 (-> N/A)
lts/dubnium -> v10.24.1 (-> N/A)
lts/erbium -> v12.22.12 (-> N/A)
lts/fermium -> v14.21.3 (-> N/A)
lts/gallium -> v16.20.2 (-> N/A)
lts/hydrogen -> v18.18.2 (-> N/A)

—

~ nvm use default
Now using node v20.8.1 (npm v9.9.0)

—

~ nvm use 20.8.1
Now using node v20.8.1 (npm v9.9.0)

—

~ node -v
v19.6.0

Answer 1

You may have installed nodejs before.

Check with the following cmd: which node

If the returned result is not in the .nvm folder, uninstall it