NU1605 🟪 .NET

error NU1605: Detected package downgrade: X from 8.0.1 to 8.0.0. Reference the package directly from the project to select a different version

A direct reference requests a lower version than a dependency needs, and NuGet treats the downgrade as an error.

Seen on: .NET

Meaning

Common with Microsoft.Extensions.* or EF Core packages where one package pins an older version while another dependency needs newer. Align versions (Central Package Management helps).

Common causes

  • Direct package version lower than transitive requirement
  • Mixed versions across projects
  • Metapackage/BOM mismatch

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Raise the direct reference to the higher version
  2. Align versions across projects (Directory.Packages.props)
  3. Avoid suppressing NU1605 unless necessary

Detailed fix by platform

XML

  1. csharp
    <!-- Directory.Packages.props -->
<Project><ItemGroup>
  <PackageVersion Include="Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore" Version="8.0.10" />
</ItemGroup></Project>

How to diagnose

  1. Graph — dotnet list package --include-transitive
  2. Versions — Across projects

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

🧠 Still stuck? Analyze your error

Paste the full message, response headers or stack trace — we'll detect the platform and point to the most likely cause.