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Exception: Gradle task assembleRelease failed with exit code 1 in Flutter: Causes and How to Fix

February 10, 2025

Learn the causes and solutions to the 'Gradle task assembleRelease failed with exit code 1' error in Flutter with this comprehensive guide.

What is Exception: Gradle task assembleRelease failed with exit code 1 Error in Flutter

 

Overview of the Error

 

  • The Exception: Gradle task assembleRelease failed with exit code 1 error typically occurs during the build process of a Flutter application when attempting to create the release version of the app.

    •  

  • This error is a catch-all for a variety of build failures specific to the Gradle tool and can signify that there were issues with compiling, linking, or assembling the project into its final form.

 

 

Understanding Gradle and Flutter

 

  • Gradle is a build automation tool used in Android development that manages dependencies, controls build processes, and compiles applications.

    •  

  • In Flutter, Gradle is responsible for building the Android aspect of the app, whether in debug mode for development or release mode for production deployment.

    •  

  • The assembleRelease task specifically builds the APK (Android Package) or AAB (Android App Bundle) in release mode, preparing it for deployment to users or submission to app stores.

 

 

Analyzing Error Logs

 

  • Whenever Flutter reports the 'assembleRelease failed with exit code 1' message, it is crucial to look into the detailed Gradle output for specific error messages and stack traces.

    •  

  • This information is often logged to the terminal or console in which the Flutter command was executed. It provides insights into the precise point of failure within the build scripts or source code.

    •  

  • An analysis of this output will often reveal specific messages or logs from Gradle or the Java compiler that describe the nature of the problem more explicitly.

 

 

Role of Plugins and Dependencies

 

  • Many times, this error can be influenced by Flutter plugins and their associated dependencies within the build.gradle configuration files.

    •  

  • Compatibility issues or version conflicts between various libraries and the Android SDK can trigger such a failure. Adjustments in the pubspec.yaml or build.gradle could affect builds.

 

 

Significance of Exit Codes

 

  • The exit code of a process is a numerical representation of the completion status of a task. An exit code other than zero indicates that the process was unsuccessful.

    •  

  • In the context of Gradle and Flutter, an exit code 1 specifies that an unknown or general error occurred during the build process, terminating it prematurely.

    •  

  • While it states a failure, the code itself does not pinpoint the issue, emphasizing the necessity to delve into verbose logs for more clarity.

 

 

Sample Task Execution

 

flutter build apk --release

 

  • This command triggers the Gradle assembleRelease task for generating a production-ready APK.

    •  

  • Failing logs from this command would be crucial to understanding any issues causing a non-zero exit status.

 

 

Utilizing Gradle Commands Directly

 

./gradlew assembleRelease

 

  • Running the Gradle task directly can sometimes yield more detailed output or additional debugging information about the cause of the failure.

    •  

  • Exploring these logs can often expose misconfigurations or errors that might not surface readily in the Flutter tool's abstraction.

 

What Causes Exception: Gradle task assembleRelease failed with exit code 1 in Flutter

 

Common Causes for Exit Code 1 in Flutter's Gradle AssembleRelease Task

 

  • Configuration Issues: Improper configurations within the `build.gradle` file can cause Gradle to fail. This includes incorrect SDK paths, mismatched dependencies, or incorrect build script entries.

    •  

  • Dependency Conflicts: Conflicts between different versions of libraries or plugins often result in a Gradle build failure. For instance, using an outdated plugin with a newer Flutter version can lead to incompatibilities.

    •  

  • Missing or Incorrect SDK and JDK Setup: Gradle requires the Android SDK and JDK to be configured correctly. If these paths are incorrect or if the required tools (like specific API levels) are not installed, it can lead to a failure.

    •  

  • Code Errors: Errors within the Flutter Dart code itself, such as syntax errors, can contribute to the failure. Even though these might be caught beforehand, they can sometimes manifest as build-time errors.

    •  

  • Gradle Version Incompatibility: Using a version of Gradle that doesn’t pair well with the Flutter or Android plugin version can cause the build to fail. Ensure that the Gradle version is compatible with the Flutter version being used.

    •  

  • Proguard/R8 Configuration Problems: Issues with the Proguard or R8 configuration files may cause code obfuscation to fail during the release build. This could be due to missing rules or misconfiguration.

    •  

  • Outdated Plugins: Plugins in the `pubspec.yaml` that are outdated or not maintained might not be compatible with the latest Flutter framework or the Android platform, causing the build process to fail.

    •  


// Example of a common Gradle misconfiguration
android {
    compileSdkVersion 31
    defaultConfig {
        minSdkVersion 16
        targetSdkVersion 31
    }
    // Misconfiguration might look like this if versions are unsupported
}

dependencies {
    implementation 'com.some.library:version'   // If version is incompatible
}

 

Environmental Issues

 

  • Operating System Conflicts: Some Gradle tasks behave differently or have issues depending on the operating system or system configuration, including permissions and specific paths.

    •  

  • Lack of Resources: Insufficient memory or disk space during the build process can prevent Gradle from completing, especially in environments with limited resources.

    •  

 

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How to Fix Exception: Gradle task assembleRelease failed with exit code 1 in Flutter

 

Clear and Rebuild the Project

 

  • Sometimes, a simple rebuild of the project can solve many issues. Clean the project to remove any cached or outdated files.

    •  

  • First, run the following command to clean the build: 
    flutter clean

    •  

  • Then, reassemble the release build: 
    flutter build apk --release

 

Update Flutter and Dependencies

 

  • Ensure your Flutter SDK and all project dependencies are up-to-date. The error might be linked to an outdated package.

    •  

  • First, upgrade Flutter to the latest version: 
    flutter upgrade

    •  

  • Update all dependencies listed in `pubspec.yaml`: 
    flutter pub get

 

Check Gradle Files and Configurations

 

  • Make sure your Gradle wrapper is up-to-date, as some issues arise from outdated Gradle distributions.

    •  

  • Navigate to `android/` directory of your Flutter project and run: 
    ./gradlew wrapper --gradle-version <latest_version> --distribution-type=all

    •  

  • Update the `build.gradle` files. Ensure that the `minSdkVersion`, `compileSdkVersion` and `targetSdkVersion` are compatible with the plugins you are using.

 

Check for Specific Errors in the Log

 

  • Analyze the error logs generated during the build to pinpoint the specific issue. Errors in Gradle usually provide a hint towards missing files, configuration errors, or dependency conflicts.

    •  

  • The terminal output provides a stack trace; locate specific error lines and address them accordingly.

 

Verify Environment Variables

 

  • Confirm that your environment variables are set correctly. The Flutter and Android SDK paths must be accurate.

    •  

  • Check if the environment variables are set properly for `ANDROID_HOME`, `flutter`, and `java`. You can add them into `.bashrc`, `.zshrc`, or `System Properties` depending upon your system.

 

Enable MultiDex

 

  • If your project exceeds the method limit for a single APK file, enabling MultiDex will solve the problem.

    •  

  • Open the `android/app/build.gradle` file and ensure the following lines are present: 
    android {
    defaultConfig {
        ...
        multiDexEnabled true
    }
}

dependencies {
    implementation 'androidx.multidex:multidex:2.0.1'
}

 

Reinstall Java Dependencies

 

  • If there is an issue with Java dependencies, clearing and reinstalling them may help:

    •  

  • Navigate to your `android/` directory and run: 
    rm -rf ~/.gradle/caches/

    •  

  • After removing the caches, try building your project again.

 

By following these steps, you can methodically resolve the "Gradle task assembleRelease failed with exit code 1" error in a Flutter project. Use these solutions to identify and rectify configuration issues to ensure successful builds.

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