The “FAILURE: Build failed with an exception” error in Android Studio is a common and often frustrating issue that indicates there was a problem during the build process of your Android project. This error can stem from various sources, including configuration errors, dependency conflicts, or issues with the project files.
When you encounter the “FAILURE: Build failed with an exception” error, the first step is to analyze the build output for detailed information about the cause of the failure. In Android Studio, navigate to the “Build” or “Messages” window to view the full build output. Look for any error messages and stack traces that can provide clues.
Gradle is the build system used by Android Studio, and issues can arise from inconsistencies between project files and Gradle configurations. To resolve this, go to File > Sync Project with Gradle Files or click the “Sync Project” button in the toolbar. This action ensures that your project files are in sync with the Gradle build system.
Conflicting dependencies or outdated library versions can cause build failures. Review your project’s build.gradle files and ensure that all dependencies are compatible with each other and up to date. Use the “Gradle” tab in Android Studio to navigate to the specific build.gradle files. Here’s how to manage your dependencies effectively:
Ensure all dependencies are using the same version where applicable.
Avoid using both implementation and compile for the same dependency.
Use the latest stable versions of libraries.
Build artifacts or caches can become corrupted, leading to build failures. To resolve this, go to Build > Clean Project and then Build > Rebuild Project to clean the project and rebuild it from scratch. This action will regenerate all the build artifacts.
If you are using Android Studio 3.0 or above, consider disabling Instant Run during debugging, as it can sometimes cause build issues. Go to File > Settings > Build, Execution, Deployment > Instant Run and uncheck the “Enable Instant Run” option.
Ensure that you have installed the correct SDK versions and API levels required by your project. You can do this in the SDK Manager within Android Studio. Navigate to Tools > SDK Manager and check if all the required SDK platforms and tools are installed.
Using the latest version of Android Studio and Gradle can often resolve build-related issues as updates frequently come with bug fixes and improvements. Check for updates by navigating to Help > Check for Updates.