# java.io.FileNotFoundException: config.properties (No such file or directory)

**Code:** `FileNotFoundException` · **Category:** Java · **Seen on:** Java

Java couldn’t open the file — wrong path relative to the working directory, missing file, or a classpath resource read as a file.

## 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

1. Load classpath resources with getClass().getResourceAsStream("/config.properties")
2. Use absolute or configurable paths
3. Check System.getProperty("user.dir")

## Detailed fix by platform

### Java

1. `try (InputStream in = App.class.getResourceAsStream("/config.properties")) { props.load(in); }`

## How to diagnose

1. **Path** — Exact path
2. **CWD** — user.dir
3. **Packaging** — Inside a JAR?

---
Source: [WhatIsMyError](https://whatismyerror.com/errors/java/filenotfoundexception-java)
