Fix "-bash: make: command not found"

Note: This guide needs root access, which is full control of the server. It is for VPS and dedicated server owners.

What does the error mean?

Bash is the program that reads the commands you type on a Linux server. When you type a command, bash looks for a program with that name. "Command not found" means the program is not installed.

make is a helper tool. It builds software from its source code. Source code is the text written by programmers. Many install guides say to run ./configure, then make, then make install. If make is missing, the second step fails.

Check first

which make

If this prints nothing, make is not installed.

Install it on CentOS, AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux

1. Connect to your server with SSH.
2. Run this command.

yum install make

This installs the make tool. On newer systems, use dnf install make.

3. Type y and press Enter when asked to confirm.

Install it on Ubuntu or Debian

1. Update the software list.

apt-get update

2. Install make.

apt-get install make

Install the whole toolkit

Building software often needs more than make. It also needs a compiler, which turns source code into a running program. Install the full set in one go.

On CentOS-type systems:

yum groupinstall "Development Tools"

On Ubuntu or Debian:

apt-get install build-essential

These bring in make, gcc and other common build tools.

Check it worked

make --version

This prints the version number. Now run your build steps again.

Warning: Only build software from sources you trust. Building runs code as root.

Quick recap

• The error means make is not installed.
• Use yum install make or apt-get install make.
• Install the whole build toolkit to avoid more missing pieces.
• Check with make --version.