[MCL-5638] Unable to locate the Java runtime

Moderator Note

There are essentially three seperate issues combined in this ticket number:

1. A general problem with symlinks and junctions. Please see this comment for details on how to fix this temporarily.

2. A bug that causes issues with detection of the Java runtime. To fix this issue manually, you need to delete the "runtime" folder in the following folder: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\".

3. Make sure the Java Executable setting on any launcher profiles you have set up in the Launch Options menu is set to off

[media]

The new launcher (2.0.74) cannot launch minecraft because it cannot find the executable.

What I expected to happen was...:
The game launches just like ALL previous versions of the launcher

What actually happened was...:
Error details: The system cannot find the file specified
Filename on disk: javaw.exe
Path: C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath\javaw.exe
Exists: file

Steps to Reproduce:
Start Launcher
Click Play

I've also RESET the profile BACK to specifying the actual path to the exe because for some stupid reason the new crap launcher changed the settings on ALL my profiles. The launcher is crap. It even crashed and Windows had to close it.

Linked issues

is duplicated by 49

MC-113885 I can't log into minecraft. It's telling me unable to locate Java runtime. I tried to fix this and I can't do it. Please someone tell me how I could fix this. Thank you. Resolved

MC-116840 Cannot play latest snapshot Resolved

MC-120553 Un-installed then Re-installed MC Resolved

MC-121341 Unable to locate the Java runtime. Resolved

MC-121667 Unable to locate the Java runtime. Resolved

44 more links

relates to 2

MC-134973 Fullscreen "Black Screen of Death" Resolved

MCL-6106 --workDir workaround does not work for hard-linked .minecraft directory Resolved

Attachments

Comments 31

migrated 2017-02-09T05:23:10Z

I have discovered that the launcher ignores any path to javaw.exe that I place in the profile.
I also had to specify the path to the game directory, that was lost with the new launcher.
I also had to specify they java options, that was lost with the new launcher.

migrated 2017-02-10T02:22:20Z

Same thing with v2.0.806 - Still cannot play Minecraft.

migrated 2017-02-11T12:02:17Z

Same for me.

migrated 2017-02-17T16:54:22Z

Just got the new launcher.. and now I can't play Minecraft. It says that the Java runtime cannot be located even though the path it's pointing to clearly exists.

http://imgur.com/a/b8qwN

migrated 2017-02-22T05:42:51Z

Is this going to be fixed anytime this year? I haven't been able to play minecraft since the new launcher came out. Do I have to demand my money back for the game I can no longer play?

21 more comments

migrated 2017-02-26T03:38:04Z

I have this error any time a new snapshot comes out, If I wanted to play a regular un-modded snapshot for example, 17w06a, It wouldn't let me. Instead, I get a message reading the following:

Unable to locate the Java runtime.
Show more details

Error details: The system cannot find the path specified
Filename on disk: javaw.exe
Path: C:/Users\Fall\AppData\Local\Temp\Rar$EXa0.557\minecraft_test_launcher\runtime\jre-x64\1.8.0_51\bin\javaw.exe
Exists: false

----------
I really dislike this bug and I hope for it to get fixed soon.
Really wish I could get a preview of new updates before their releases, all mods I use plus all versions besides snapshots work.

koderr 2017-02-26T13:43:28Z

Looks like the launcher fails to find the Java runtime when the path contains symlinks or junctions.

I was experiencing the same issue. In my case bundled Java runtime was used which was at D:\games\Minecraft\runtime\jre-x64\etc... but in my system D:\Games is actually a junction targeting at E:\Games:

>dir d:\ | find "Games"
18.08.2015 21:11 *<JUNCTION>* Games [??\e:\games]

So I changed the launcher shortcut to E:\games\Minecraft\MinecraftLauncher.exe and the problem gone.

C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath\javaw.exe is a symlink so the new launcher fails to run the game on that too:

>dir c:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath\javaw.exe | find "javaw"
17.11.2016 01:26 *<SYMLINK>* javaw.exe [C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.8.0_111\bin\javaw.exe]

migrated 2017-03-18T02:10:34Z

The new launcher is unable to find my workdir or java executable because I'm using a mounted volume (C:\home) instead of a dedicated drive letter.

When Curse automatically updated the Minecraft launcher, I got the error "Game directory is invalid or inaccessible." I created a new instance and saw the same error. I copied the new instance folder to the root C:\ and updated the Game Directory in the Launch Options in the new launcher, and then it then gave me a different error: "Unable to local java runtime." I verified the path to javaw.exe was valid, and copied this file to the new folder on C:\ and then I was able to launch Minecraft normally.

migrated 2017-04-24T11:18:11Z

I cannot use the java links in the version 2.0.847 either:

Unable to locate the Java runtime.
Error details: The system cannot find the file specified
Filename on disk: javaw.exe
Path: C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath\javaw.exe
Exists: file

C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath>dir
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 8497-AB5C
Directory of C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath
24-04-17 12:41 <DIR> .
24-04-17 12:41 <DIR> ..
24-04-17 12:40 206,912 java.exe
24-04-17 12:40 206,912 javaw.exe
24-04-17 12:40 318,528 javaws.exe
3 File(s) 732,352 bytes
2 Dir(s) 230,151,675,904 bytes free

Java SE runtime 8_131, Windows 7

migrated 2017-09-29T16:30:19Z

This issue still exists with 2.0.934.
With no settings changed in the launcher, I get the following error:

Unable to locate the Java runtime.
Error details: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect
Filename on disk: javaw.exe
Path: C:\HDD\Minecraft\runtime\jre-x64\1.8.0_25\bin\javaw.exe
Exists: file

If I tell it where to find its javaw.exe, it still fails with the same error text.

migrated 2018-06-14T06:30:59Z

Affects latest version of MCL with Java 10

migrated 2018-06-28T15:25:34Z

On june 28 I had the same problem so i went into.

Path: C:/Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\runtime\jre-x64\1.8.0_25\bin\javaw.exe
Exists: false

But when i went there the file said : C:/Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\runtime\jre-x64\1.8.0_51 so i changed the 51 into 25

migrated 2018-07-02T09:10:49Z

read the comment above yours (Brandon Bernal Silva's). It works.

migrated 2018-07-02T11:31:30Z

Brandon Bernal Silva is right it worked for me to fix my error! Im going to go to more detail cause it took me a while to figure it out. First you want to go to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\" then click on runtime then jre-x64 the next page will show you 1.8.0_51 rename that to 1.8.0_25 and try your launcher. im sorry if this does not help you.

migrated 2018-07-02T13:04:03Z

C:/Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\runtime\jre-x64\1.8.0_25\bin\javaw.exe
I renamed the path to... \1.8.0_25... then I followed the path all the way to javaw.exe, right click on javaw.exe and click on run as admin.

kumasasa 2018-07-02T18:56:13Z

Everyone having this issue: Please check what's in the "Java Executable" setting after a reinstallation of Minecraft.
Should be looking like this:

[media]

migrated 2018-07-02T19:00:03Z

@Kumasasa My launcher doesn't even look like that my switch button things are on top and there are only 3

kumasasa 2018-07-02T19:06:03Z

Use the "Burger Menu" (3 lines) in the top right to expand the options.

migrated 2018-07-02T19:13:41Z

Thanks that completely fixed my Minecraft for now!

kumasasa 2018-07-02T19:51:23Z

@unknown, what was that "Java Executable" setting before?

migrated 2018-07-02T19:53:50Z

It was C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\runtime\jre-x64\1.8.0_25\bin\javaw.exe you have to change the 25 to a 51 I the setting

migrated 2018-07-03T03:01:48Z

[media]

can someone please tell me how to fix this

all good fixed it don't worry fixed

kumasasa 2018-07-03T04:49:18Z

@unknown, see the last four comments before yours or #3 in the yellow panel of the description

migrated 2018-07-12T22:12:51Z

i am having a similar issue but mine says this,

Error details: Incorrect function
Filename on disk: javaw.exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\runtime\jre-x64\1.8.0_51\bin\javaw.exe
Exists: false

any help on how to fix it?

kumasasa 2018-07-12T22:14:48Z

@unknown, did you read the big yellow box titled red "Moderator Note" in the description of this ticket and follow it's instructoons?

migrated 2018-07-12T22:25:59Z

not yet, i wasn't sure if my problem was the same as the others as my error details say "incorrect function" while other comments in this post say "the system cannot find the path specified"

1. does not effect my situation but for 2. my computer does not allow me to delete the runtime folder

petr.mrazek 2018-07-25T17:14:39Z

This should be partially fixed in the next release:

When people only enable the setting and do not change the Java path, it will revert back to being disabled (using default value)
When it cannot find the Java executable, the error dialog now has a button that resets the path to default (being disabled)

I'll have to look into the rest of the issues here...

migrated 2018-08-06T19:40:16Z

So why can't we have resolved it as using one of these?

galaxy_2alex 2019-03-27T15:02:11Z

@peterix: Can this issue be closed? I think the remaining issues are all solvable by tech support.

migrated 2020-07-17T01:22:20Z

Is there an update to resolving this issue with the 2.1.15850 launcher? I'm not sure if I should submit a new issue since this ticket is closed, but it is the same exact message that I'm getting. I have deleted the program file like the old fix says to. I cannot figure out how to make sure java is executable, though. I went to the launcher settings and could find no way to check how the game is trying to launch or anything.

galaxy_2alex 2020-07-17T13:01:52Z

Please read the moderator note for possible solutions - if they do not help, Please check the Technical Support Resources, or the Community Support Discord - please note that technical support for Minecraft is done by volunteers, so please be patient if you do not receive an answer right away.