java.io.FileNotFoundException: config.properties (No such file or directory)
Java couldn’t open the file — wrong path relative to the working directory, missing file, or a classpath resource read as a file.
Exact message you may see
(No such file or directory)(The system cannot find the file specified)
Seen on:
Java
Meaning
Relative paths resolve from the JVM working directory. Files inside a JAR aren’t files at all; read them with getResourceAsStream.
Common causes
- Relative path + different working directory
- Resource inside a JAR opened with new File()
- Missing file in deployment
- Permission denied (message says so)
⚡ Quick fix
- Load classpath resources with getClass().getResourceAsStream("/config.properties")
- Use absolute or configurable paths
- Check System.getProperty("user.dir")
Detailed fix by platform
Java
try (InputStream in = App.class.getResourceAsStream("/config.properties")) { props.load(in); }
How to diagnose
- Path — Exact path
- CWD — user.dir
- Packaging — Inside a JAR?
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Last updated 13 Oct 2026