How to fix Error: chart not found in Kubernetes

KubernetesBEGINNERLOW

Helm cannot locate the chart you are trying to install. This is usually because the chart repository is not configured or the chart name is incorrect.

What this error means

Helm looks for charts in configured repositories or local paths. If the chart is not in any configured repo, doesn't exist locally, or the repository hasn't been updated, Helm will report that the chart cannot be found.

Typical symptoms

helm install/upgrade fails with "chart not found"
Cannot locate chart in any repository
Works with different chart name
Chart was recently added to repo but still not found
Local chart path does not exist
Repository was not added to Helm

Common causes

Chart repository not added to Helm
Repository list is outdated (needs helm repo update)
Chart does not exist in the specified repository
Typo in chart name
Using absolute path instead of repo:chart format
Chart name includes version that doesn't exist

How to fix "Error: chart not found"

1List configured Helm repositories

See what repos are available:

bash

helm repo list

If empty or missing your repo, add it first.

2Add the chart repository

Add the repository:

bash

helm repo add nginx-stable https://helm.nginx.com/stable
helm repo update

Then list charts:

bash

helm search repo nginx

3Update repository index

Fetch latest charts from all repos:

bash

helm repo update

Now retry your install command.

4Verify chart exists in repo

Search for the chart:

bash

helm search repo CHART_NAME
helm search repo CHART_NAME --versions

Confirm the exact spelling and version.

Advanced notes

For local charts, use file:// paths: helm install RELEASE ./local-chart/. For offline environments, pre-load chart repositories. Use helm search to discover available charts: helm search hub CHART_NAME (searches ArtifactHub). Version your charts explicitly in CI/CD to avoid version mismatches. Consider using a private Helm repository (ChartMuseum, Nexus) for internal charts.

Related errors

Official resources & further reading

📚Kubernetes Official Documentation
📖
Helm: helm repo(Official Docs)
📖
Helm: Quickstart Guide(Official Docs)
📖
ArtifactHub: Helm Charts(Official Docs)