Build Gradle Fail with Exception after Updating Kotlin Version? Here’s the Fix!

Are you frustrated with a build failure after updating your Kotlin version? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! This article will guide you through the most common pitfalls and provide step-by-step solutions to get your project back on track.

What Causes the Build Failure?

Before we dive into the fixes, let’s understand what might be causing the issue. When you update your Kotlin version, Gradle might not be able to resolve the dependencies correctly, leading to a build failure. This can be due to:

• Incompatible library versions
• Outdated Gradle version
• Incorrect configuration in the build.gradle file
• Missing or incorrect dependencies

Step 1: Check Your Gradle Version

Make sure you’re running the latest version of Gradle. You can check the version by running the following command in your terminal:

gradle --version

If you’re not on the latest version, update Gradle to the latest version. You can do this by updating your gradle-wrapper.properties file:

distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-7.1.1-all.zip

Replace the version number with the latest one available.

Step 2: Update Your Kotlin Version

Double-check that you’ve updated your Kotlin version correctly in your build.gradle file:

kotlin {
  jvmToolchain {
    languageVersion.set(JavaLanguageVersion.of(11))
  }
}

plugins {
  id 'org.jetbrains.kotlin.jvm' version '1.6.10'
  id 'application'
}

Ensure that the Kotlin version matches the one you’ve updated to.

Step 3: Check for Incompatible Libraries

When you update your Kotlin version, some libraries might not be compatible with the new version. Check your build.gradle file for any libraries that might be causing issues:

dependencies {
  implementation 'com.squareup.okhttp3:okhttp:4.9.1'
  implementation 'com.squareup.okhttp3:logging-interceptor:4.9.1'
}

Try updating the libraries to their latest versions or replacing them with compatible alternatives.

Step 4: Configure Your Build Script

Make sure your build.gradle file is configured correctly. Check for any incorrect or outdated configurations:

android {
  compileSdkVersion 31
  defaultConfig {
    applicationId "com.example.app"
    minSdkVersion 21
    targetSdkVersion 31
    versionCode 1
    versionName "1.0"
  }
}

Verify that your Android SDK version, minSdkVersion, and targetSdkVersion are up-to-date.

Step 5: Clean and Rebuild Your Project

Sometimes, a simple clean and rebuild can resolve the issue. Run the following command in your terminal:

./gradlew clean build

This will clean your project and rebuild it from scratch.

Step 6: Check for Conflicting Dependencies

Conflicting dependencies can cause build failures. Check your build.gradle file for any conflicting dependencies:

dependencies {
  implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.3.1'
  implementation 'com.google.android.material:material:1.4.0'
}

Try resolving any conflicts by updating or replacing the dependencies.

Step 7: Check Your Java Version

Make sure you’re running a compatible Java version. You can check your Java version by running the following command in your terminal:

java -version

Ensure that your Java version is compatible with your Kotlin version.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the build failure issue after updating your Kotlin version. Remember to:

1. Check your Gradle version
2. Update your Kotlin version correctly
3. Check for incompatible libraries
4. Configure your build script correctly
5. Clean and rebuild your project
6. Check for conflicting dependencies
7. Check your Java version

If you’re still facing issues, try checking the official Kotlin and Gradle documentation for the latest updates and guidelines.

Kotlin Version	Gradle Version
1.6.10	7.1.1
1.6.20	7.2.1
1.7.0	7.3.1

This table provides a rough guide to compatible Kotlin and Gradle versions. However, it’s essential to check the official documentation for the latest information.

By following this article, you should be able to resolve the build failure issue and get back to developing your project. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

Kotlin version update got you down? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!