BeanCurrentlyInCreationException (circular dependency)

Q: Use @Lazy annotation

When to use: Use this for a quick fix when you can't refactor the architecture immediately.. Tells Spring to inject a proxy instead of the real bean. The real bean is only created when actually used, breaking the creation cycle.

Q: Refactor to a Third Bean

When to use: Use this when you have time to write clean code.. Extract the shared logic that both A and B need into a new Bean C. Now A -> C, and B -> C. No circle.

Q: Use Setter Injection instead of Constructor

When to use: Use this in legacy codebases where you can't use @Lazy.. Constructor injection requires beans to be fully formed before injection. Setter injection allows Spring to inject an unfinished bean, resolving the cycle.

🔴 The Error You're Seeing

Confirm this matches your console output. If it does, you're in the right place.

ERROR LOG

2023-10-25 10:15:30.812 ERROR 12345 --- [           main] o.s.boot.SpringApplication               : Application run failed

org.springframework.beans.factory.BeanCurrentlyInCreationException: Error creating bean with name 'userService': Bean with name 'userService' has been injected into other beans [userProfileService] in its raw object as part of a circular reference, but was eventually wrapped. This means that said other beans do not use the final version of the bean.

⚡ Quick Fix Works 80% of the time

Add @Lazy to one of the injections to break the creation cycle.

@Service
public class UserService {
    public UserService(@Lazy UserProfileService profileService) { ... }
}

🧠 Why this Happens

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A circular dependency occurs when Bean A depends on Bean B, and Bean B depends on Bean A (A -> B -> A). Spring tries to create A, sees it needs B, tries to create B, sees it needs A, and realizes A isn't finished creating yet. Spring Boot 3.2+ disables circular references by default, causing a crash.

The HITEC City Parking Spot Analogy:

It's like two people trying to paint a portrait of each other. Person A can't finish painting B until B sits still, but B can't sit still because they are trying to paint A.

🔁 How to Reproduce Confirm this is your error

Create two services that inject each other (e.g. UserService → UserProfileService → UserService) and start the app. Spring detects the circular reference and aborts with BeanCurrentlyInCreationException.

🛠️ Solutions (3 Ways to Fix)

Solution 1✓ Most common cause

Use @Lazy annotation

👉 Use this for a quick fix when you can't refactor the architecture immediately.

Tells Spring to inject a proxy instead of the real bean. The real bean is only created when actually used, breaking the creation cycle.

@Service
public class UserService {
    private final UserProfileService userProfileService;

    public UserService(@Lazy UserProfileService userProfileService) {
        this.userProfileService = userProfileService;
    }
}

Solution 2

Refactor to a Third Bean

👉 Use this when you have time to write clean code.

Extract the shared logic that both A and B need into a new Bean C. Now A -> C, and B -> C. No circle.

// Create a new shared service
@Service
public class SharedLogicService { ... }

// Inject it into A and B
@Service
public class UserService {
    @Autowired SharedLogicService shared;
}

Solution 3

Use Setter Injection instead of Constructor

👉 Use this in legacy codebases where you can't use @Lazy.

Constructor injection requires beans to be fully formed before injection. Setter injection allows Spring to inject an unfinished bean, resolving the cycle.

@Service
public class UserService {
    @Autowired
    public void setUserProfileService(UserProfileService service) {
        this.userProfileService = service;
    }
}

📋 Version Notes

Spring Boot 2.x

Circular references were allowed by default.

Spring Boot 3.x

Circular references are disabled by default. Crashes unless spring.main.allow-circular-references=true is set.

🛡️ How to Prevent This Next Time

Keep your service layer flat. If two services need the same logic, extract it into a third shared service.