nvm is not compatible with the npm config "prefix" option code example
Example 1: "Run `npm config delete prefix` or `nvm use --delete-prefix v12.14.1 --silent` to unset it."
# Solution, your version (e.g. v10.16.0) might be different.
# run to determine your version number
ls -l $NVM_DIR/versions/node
# to be able to start node
nvm use --delete-prefix v10.16.0
# to ensure that it’s working
node
# to ensure that it’s deleted
npm config delete prefix
# to set it back
npm config set prefix $NVM_DIR/versions/node/v10.16.0
# So, basically I needed to reset nvm prefix.
Example 2: nvm is not compatible with the npm config "prefix" option: currently set to "/usr/local"
$ npm config delete prefix
$ npm config set prefix $NVM_DIR/versions/node/v6.11.1