Resolving "Could not find com.android.tools.build:gradle:7.3.3" error

The error "Could not find com.android.tools.build:gradle:7.3.3" occurs when Android Studio cannot locate the specified version of the Android Gradle Plugin (AGP). This comprehensive guide covers the most effective solutions to resolve this issue.

Understanding the error

When you see this error in your build output, it means Gradle cannot download the required Android Gradle Plugin version from the configured repositories:

Could not find com.android.tools.build:gradle:7.3.3.
Searched in the following locations:
  - https://plugins.gradle.org/m2/com/android/tools/build/gradle/7.3.3/gradle-7.3.3.pom
  - https://dl.google.com/dl/android/maven2/com/android/tools/build/gradle/7.3.3/gradle-7.3.3.pom
Required by:
    project:

Android Gradle Plugin vs Gradle Version

The "com.android.tools.build:gradle:$version" refers to the Android Gradle Plugin (AGP), while "7.3.3" refers to the Gradle platform version. These are separate components with different versioning.

Primary solutions

1. Update Gradle JDK to version 11

The most common solution is to ensure your project uses JDK 11:

1. Open Android Studio
2. Go to File > Settings > Build, Execution, Deployment > Build Tools > Gradle
3. In the "Gradle JDK" dropdown, select "Android Studio java home" or a JDK 11 installation
4. Click Apply and then OK
5. Rebuild your project

2. Verify repository configuration

Ensure your project's build.gradle files include both Google and Maven Central repositories:

Project-level build.gradle:

buildscript {
    repositories {
        google()
        mavenCentral()
    }
    // ...
}

allprojects {
    repositories {
        google()
        mavenCentral()
    }
}

Module-level build.gradle:

plugins {
    id 'com.android.application'
    // or id 'com.android.library'
}

android {
    // Android configuration
}

dependencies {
    // Your dependencies
}

3. Check network connectivity

Sometimes corporate networks or firewalls block access to required repositories:

• Try switching to a different network (personal hotspot instead of corporate WiFi)
• Verify your internet connection is stable
• Check if your network allows access to Google's Maven repository

4. Refresh dependencies

If you've made configuration changes, refresh Gradle dependencies:

./gradlew clean build --refresh-dependencies

Or use the Android Studio option:

1. Click "File" > "Sync Project with Gradle Files"
2. If that doesn't work, try "Build" > "Clean Project" followed by "Build" > "Rebuild Project"

Advanced troubleshooting

Verify Java installation

Ensure you have the correct Java version installed and configured:

java -version

You should see Java 11 or higher. If not, install OpenJDK 11 and set it as your default:

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu):

sudo apt install openjdk-11-jdk
sudo update-alternatives --config java

macOS (using Homebrew):

brew install openjdk@11

Check version compatibility

Ensure your Android Gradle Plugin version is compatible with your Gradle version. Refer to the official compatibility table to match versions correctly.

Alternative: Update to a supported version

If version 7.3.3 is unavailable or causing issues, consider updating to a newer compatible version in your project-level build.gradle:

dependencies {
    classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:7.4.2' // Or newer stable version
    // ...
}

Prevention best practices

1. Use version catalogs: Centralize dependency versions for easier management
2. Regular updates: Keep Android Studio, Gradle, and plugins updated
3. Version alignment: Ensure Kotlin and AGP versions are compatible
4. CI/CD configuration: Mirror repository configurations in your CI environment

Version availability

Always verify that the specific version you're requesting is actually available in the repositories. Some versions may be deprecated or removed over time.

Summary

The "Could not find com.android.tools.build:gradle" error typically resolves by:

1. Setting Gradle JDK to version 11 in Android Studio settings
2. Ensuring both google() and mavenCentral() repositories are configured
3. Verifying network connectivity to Google's Maven repository
4. Using compatible versions of Android Gradle Plugin and Gradle

By following these steps systematically, you should be able to resolve the dependency resolution issue and successfully build your Android project.