Why You May Get Failed to Find Target with Hash String ‘android-23’ – And How to Fix It image 4
Android

Why You May Get Failed to Find Target with Hash String ‘android-23’ – And How to Fix It

Troubleshooting the “Failed to Find Target” Android Build Error

If you have ever tried compiling or building an Android application and received the error “Failed to find target with hash string ‘android-23′”, then this article is for you. This particular build error comes up when there is an issue with your Android SDK and the compiler cannot find the correct target API level to use during compilation.

Understanding the Root Cause

At the core, this error occurs because the Android build system relies on specific “target” configurations defined within the Android SDK that correspond to each API level. The compiler uses these target configurations to determine settings like which Java bytecode version to use, key dependencies to include, and more. When it tries to look up the target named “android-23” and fails, it means that target is either missing, corrupted, or not configured correctly.

From my experience as an Android developer, there are a few common reasons why the target may become invalid:

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  1. SDK platform packages for older API levels became outdated/uninstalled over time
  2. SDK tools or build tools became outdated or mismatched with targets
  3. Environment variables like ANDROID_HOME are not set properly
  4. Gradle/build configuration is referencing an invalid build target

Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve this issue, the first step is to verify that all components of your Android SDK setup are in good Shape. Here are the specific validation and troubleshooting steps I would recommend:

  1. Check SDK platform packages: Open the SDK Manager and ensure SDK platform packages are installed for all API levels you need to target, including android-23. Reinstall any missing packages.
  2. Validate build tools version: The build tools package must match the version defined in your project’s build.gradle. Update as needed.
  3. Verify environment variables: Double check the ANDROID_HOME environment variable points to the correct SDK path. Fix if invalid.
  4. Inspect build config: Ensure your app module’s build.gradle defines a valid compileSdkVersion and targetSdkVersion
  5. Clean and rebuild: Try cleaning the project in Android Studio and doing a full rebuild to force it to re-evaluate configs

Example Scenarios I’ve Encountered

During my career, I’ve faced situations where validation and troubleshooting steps like these have revealed the actual root cause behind a “failed to find target” issue:

In one case, an outdated SDK tools package meant the build system could not recognize targets installed by newer platforms. Updating tools resolved it.

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Another time, a colleague had incorrectly set the ANDROID_HOME variable, so Gradle was looking in the wrong SDK folder. Fixing the path addressed the problem.

The most common scenario I see is simply that older API level platform packages get uninstalled over time as newer ones are added. Reinstalling missing platforms usually does the trick.

When All Else Fails…

On rare occasions, uninstalling and completely reinstalling the Android SDK may be necessary if troubleshooting steps fail to uncover the issue. Before doing this, I’d recommend trying a few more things:

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  1. Use the SDK Manager to repair any existing Android SDK installations
  2. If using Android Studio, try invalidating caches/restarting the IDE
  3. As a last resort, delete the .gradle folder in your user home to force re-download of dependencies

With some basic validation and troubleshooting, the cause behind this “failed to find target” error can commonly be identified and addressed. Just taking it step-by-step is key. Hopefully this gives you a guide to work through it successfully!

In Closing

Building Android applications will inevitably throw up its share of build errors from time to time. But more often than not, the solution lies in thoroughly checking configs and dependencies like SDK/build tools versions. With patience and methodical validation steps, many issues can be resolved.

Have you ever encountered other complex build errors? Feel free to share in the comments – as developers, we can all learn from each other’s experiences. And if the troubleshooting steps here help solve your “failed to find target” problem, I’d love to hear it worked out for you too!

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Troubleshooting “failed to find target with hash string ‘android-23′”

Reason Solution
Outdated Android SDK tools Update Android SDK tools to latest version
Missing Android SDK platform files Reinstall or install Android SDK platform 23 in the SDK manager
Corrupt Android SDK directory Delete .android and .gradle directories and try building again
Configuration issue in build.gradle file Check that compileSdkVersion, targetSdkVersion and buildToolsVersion are set correctly
Network issue preventing download of platform files Try from another network or update SDK files from command line

FAQ

  1. What causes the “failed to find target with hash string ‘android-23′” error?
    Basically, this error happens when Android Studio can’t find a specific Android SDK platform with the given hash. The hash identifies a specific version of the Android platform files.
  2. Why might it not be able to find the target?
    There could be a few reasons why Android Studio can’t locate the target SDK platform. Perhaps it was deleted or moved from the default location. Possibly there is a problem with the installation of the Android SDK. The SDK platform files for that version might also simply be corrupted or missing.
  3. How can I resolve this issue?
    To fix it, you’ll need to make sure the required Android SDK platform is available. First, open the SDK Manager in Android Studio and check that Android 23 (or whichever version is specified in the error) is listed. If not, download and install it. You can also try reinstalling or updating your Android SDK altogether. hopefully that will restore any missing files.
  4. What else could cause this?
    On rare occasions, the Android Studio Android SDK configuration can become out of sync or corrupt. So another option worth trying is manually editing the local.properties file to point to a valid SDK location. There may also be problems with downloaded SDK files being incomplete or corrupted during installation somehow. So redownloading everything could help in stubborn cases.
  5. When should I be concerned?
    This error on its own typically isn’t too serious. You just need the right Android platform files accessible to compile and build your app. However, if installing/reinstalling the SDK doesn’t resolve it, that may indicate a bigger issue interfering. You’d want to fix it then before development issues arise down the line. Persistent strange build errors never a good sign!
  6. What can I do to prevent it?
    To help avoid this error in the future, it’s best to stick to the latest Android SDK tools and platform versions if possible rather than older ones. The newer ones tend to be more stable. You should also regularly check for SDK Manager updates and apply them. Keeping your Android Studio and plugins updated also helps reduce unexpected build glitches or missing dependencies over time. A little prevention goes a long way!
  7. Is there a simple workaround?
    As a temporary workaround, you could try making a small code change just to force a build/compile, even if the change doesn’t matter. Sometimes this is enough to get past the error by forcing Android Studio to refresh its caches and SDK config. It’s not a fix though. Best to properly resolve the underlying issue with your Android SDK installation or target platform version availability for a long-term solution.

In summary…

To wrap things up, the “failed to find target” error is usually not too serious, but does need addressing before progressing further with development. Ensuring the required Android SDK platform files are present and accessible is key. Regularly updating your Android Studio and SDK components can help cut down on unexpected glitches or missing dependencies down the road too. With some troubleshooting, it’s a problem that tends to have a solution.