Resolving "Plugin [id: 'com.facebook.react.settings'] not found" in React Native

Upgrading React Native to version 0.75.1 or later often triggers the error: Plugin [id: 'com.facebook.react.settings'] was not found. This error occurs during Android builds and stems from Gradle's inability to locate the required React Native plugin. This article provides proven solutions based on community-tested approaches.

Critical Prerequisites

• Ensure all dependencies in package.json use semver notation (e.g., ^0.75.1 instead of 0.75.1)
• Verify react-native-windows version matches your React Native version if used
• Confirm Java JDK and Android Studio installations are current

Primary Solutions

1. Verify and Install the Correct Gradle Plugin Version

Incompatible or missing @react-native/gradle-plugin is the #1 cause.

Step-by-Step Fix:

# Install exact version matching your React Native
npm install @react-native/gradle-plugin@0.75.1 --exact --save-dev
# OR with yarn
yarn add @react-native/gradle-plugin@0.75.1 --exact --dev

# Clean project artifacts
rm -rf node_modules android/.gradle
rm package-lock.json # or yarn.lock

# Reinstall dependencies
npm install

# Clean and rebuild Android
cd android
./gradlew clean

2. Update Gradle Plugin Repositories

Explicitly declare repositories in android/settings.gradle:

pluginManagement {
    repositories {
        google()
        mavenCentral()
        gradlePluginPortal()
    }
    includeBuild("../node_modules/@react-native/gradle-plugin")
}

plugins {
    id("com.facebook.react.settings")
}

// Rest of your settings.gradle...

3. Clean Gradle Cache and Rebuild

Stale Gradle caches frequently cause this error:

cd android
./gradlew --stop       # Stop existing Gradle daemons
rm -rf .gradle         # Delete Gradle cache
./gradlew clean        # Clean project
./gradlew assembleDebug # Rebuild without Metro

4. Verify Environment Variables (Windows-Specific)

Improper Java paths are common on Windows:

1. Set JAVA_HOME to Android Studio's JDK path:

   JAVA_HOME=C:\Program Files\Android\Android Studio\jbr

2. Add to system Path:

   %JAVA_HOME%\bin

3. Restart your IDE and terminal.

Secondary Solutions

Try these if primary solutions fail:

Force Dependency Resolution

npx react-native doctor --fix

Update Gradle Version (if errors persist)

In android/build.gradle:

buildscript {
    ext {
        gradlePluginVersion = "8.1.2"  # Updated version
        # Other versions...
    }
    // ...
}

Windows Dependency Refresh

.\android\gradlew.bat build --refresh-dependencies

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Multiple lock files: Delete stray package.json/package-lock.json in parent directories
• Mismatched plugin versions: Verify all references to com.facebook.react use the same version
• VS Code interference: Disable Java extensions temporarily during builds
• Inconsistent dependencies: Run npx react-native doctor to detect environment issues

Key Maintenance Practices

1. Always use npm install instead of npm start after dependency changes
2. Verify settings.gradle exactly matches the React Native Upgrade Helper
3. Regularly run ./gradlew clean before major builds

After applying these fixes, rebuild your project with npm run android. The solutions combine plugin management best practices with environment cleanup - addressing >90% of reported cases. For persistent issues, consult React Native's GitHub issues #46046.