Spring Boot 3 Gradle Plugin Java Version Error

Problem

When upgrading to Spring Boot 3.x and switching to Java 17, you might encounter a Gradle error during project import or build:

Could not resolve org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-gradle-plugin:3.0.1.
Required by:
    project : 
> No matching variant of org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-gradle-plugin:3.0.1 was found...
  - Incompatible because this component declares a component compatible with Java 17 
    and the consumer needed a component compatible with Java 11

Why This Happens

Spring Boot 3 requires Java 17, but the error indicates your Gradle build is using Java 11. This incompatibility occurs because:

1. The Spring Boot Gradle plugin 3.x is built for Java 17
2. Your Gradle daemon/JVM is running on Java 11 (or older)
3. Your build.gradle.kts specifies Java 17, but Gradle executes using Java 11

Solutions

1. Configure Gradle JVM in IntelliJ (Recommended)

This ensures IntelliJ uses Java 17 for Gradle operations:

1. Open Settings (Ctrl + Alt + S or Cmd + , on macOS)
2. Navigate to: Build, Execution, Deployment → Build Tools → Gradle
3. Under Gradle Projects, select your project
4. Set Gradle JVM to a JDK 17 installation

TIP

Refresh Gradle projects after making changes (Gradle toolbar → Refresh icon)

2. Set JAVA_HOME Environment Variable

Configure your system to use Java 17 globally:

• Windows:

  $env:JAVA_HOME = "C:\path\to\jdk-17"
  # Add to system PATH
  $env:Path = "$env:JAVA_HOME\bin;$env:Path"

• Linux/macOS:

  export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/jdk-17
  export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

3. Configure gradle.properties

Add this to your project's gradle.properties file:

org.gradle.java.home=/path/to/jdk-17

4. Verify Build Configuration

Ensure these settings exist in your build.gradle.kts:

plugins {
    id("org.springframework.boot") version "3.0.1"  // Must be 3.x
}

java {
    sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_17  // Must be VERSION_17
    targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_17
}

tasks.withType<KotlinCompile> {
    kotlinOptions.jvmTarget = "17"  // Must match Java version
}

Explanation

Why Java 17 Matters

Spring Boot 3.x requires Java 17 as the minimum version. The Gradle plugin must run on JVM 17+ because:

• The plugin contains Java 17 bytecode
• It uses Java 17 APIs unavailable in older versions
• Gradle requires runtime version matching the plugin's target

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect Gradle JVM: IDE defaults to system Java (often older than 17)
• Mixed JDKs: Multiple JDKs installed without clear configuration
• Kotlin configuration: jvmTarget set to lower than 17

WARNING

Spring Boot 3 is incompatible with Java 11. Downgrading to Spring Boot 2.x (version "2.7.x") will keep Java 11 compatibility but sacrifices Spring Boot 3 features.

Final Verification

Confirm your setup with this command:

./gradlew --version

Check output includes:

JVM:          17.x.x (Vendor)

When all settings are correct:

• Gradle tasks execute with Java 17
• Spring Boot Gradle plugin resolves successfully
• Project imports and builds without errors