NoSuchMethodError: org.springframework.boot.SpringApplication.run

Q: Run mvn dependency:tree

When to use: Use this as your first diagnostic step.. Identify if a third-party library is pulling in an old version of Spring Boot as a transitive dependency.

Q: Force a specific Spring Boot version

When to use: Use this if a transitive dependency is overriding your Spring Boot version.. Use Maven's ` ` block to enforce a single version across the whole project.

Q: Clean and rebuild

When to use: Use this if your IDE compiled against one version, but you recently changed pom.xml.. Stale `.class` files in your target folder can cause binary mismatches. Clean everything.

Q: Check for manual classpath additions

When to use: Use this if running via IDE Run Configurations.. You might have manually added an old Spring Boot JAR to your IDE's Run Configuration classpath. Remove it.

Q: Fix Maven Shade Plugin (Fat Jar)

When to use: Use this if the error only happens when running `java -jar myapp.jar`.. If you use the shade plugin instead of the spring-boot-maven-plugin, it might not resolve version conflicts properly. Use the Spring Boot plugin.

🔴 The Error You're Seeing

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

ERROR LOG

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: org.springframework.boot.SpringApplication.run(Ljava/lang/Class;[Ljava/lang/String;)Ljava/lang/Class;
	at com.devinhyderabad.Application.main(Application.java:10)

⚡ Quick Fix Works 80% of the time

Run mvn dependency:tree to find conflicting Spring Boot versions and align them.

mvn dependency:tree | grep spring-boot

🧠 Why this Happens

Tap to expand the deep technical explanation

Your code was compiled using a newer version of Spring Boot (e.g., 3.2.0) where a specific method signature exists. However, at runtime, the JVM loaded an older version of the Spring Boot JAR (e.g., 2.7.0) from the classpath where that method doesn't exist.

The HITEC City Parking Spot Analogy:

It's like writing a letter using a modern dictionary that includes the word 'Selfie', but handing it to someone who only has a 1980s dictionary. They can't read the word because their dictionary (runtime classpath) doesn't have it.

🔁 How to Reproduce Confirm this is your error

Compile a Spring Boot 3.2 app. Take the compiled `.class` file and try to run it using `java -cp spring-boot-2.7.jar com.devinhyderabad.Application`.

🛠️ Solutions (5 Ways to Fix)

Solution 1✓ Most common cause

Run mvn dependency:tree

👉 Use this as your first diagnostic step.

Identify if a third-party library is pulling in an old version of Spring Boot as a transitive dependency.

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.springframework.boot

Solution 2

Force a specific Spring Boot version

👉 Use this if a transitive dependency is overriding your Spring Boot version.

Use Maven's `<dependencyManagement>` block to enforce a single version across the whole project.

<dependencyManagement>
    <dependencies>
        <dependency>
            <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
            <artifactId>spring-boot-dependencies</artifactId>
            <version>3.2.0</version>
            <type>pom</type>
            <scope>import</scope>
        </dependency>
    </dependencies>
</dependencyManagement>

Solution 3

Clean and rebuild

👉 Use this if your IDE compiled against one version, but you recently changed pom.xml.

Stale `.class` files in your target folder can cause binary mismatches. Clean everything.

mvn clean install

Solution 4

Check for manual classpath additions

👉 Use this if running via IDE Run Configurations.

You might have manually added an old Spring Boot JAR to your IDE's Run Configuration classpath. Remove it.

// IntelliJ Run Config -> Modify options -> Modify classpath -> Check for manual JARs

Solution 5

Fix Maven Shade Plugin (Fat Jar)

👉 Use this if the error only happens when running `java -jar myapp.jar`.

If you use the shade plugin instead of the spring-boot-maven-plugin, it might not resolve version conflicts properly. Use the Spring Boot plugin.

<plugin>
    <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-boot-maven-plugin</artifactId>
</plugin>

📋 Version Notes

Spring Boot 2.x

Method signatures use `javax`.

Spring Boot 3.x

Method signatures use `jakarta`. Mixing versions causes NoSuchMethodError.

🛡️ How to Prevent This Next Time

Always use the `spring-boot-starter-parent` in your `pom.xml`. It includes a `<dependencyManagement>` block that guarantees all Spring dependencies use the exact same version.