If you are building a Flutter Android app and suddenly see this error:

Execution failed for task ':app:compileDebugKotlin'

then your Flutter project is failing during the Android Kotlin compilation step.

This is one of the most common Flutter Android build errors. It usually appears when there is a mismatch between Flutter version, Kotlin version, Android Gradle Plugin, Gradle version, Java/JDK version, or plugin dependencies.

In this guide, we will fix the error step by step in a professional way.

Officially, Flutter requires a supported Kotlin version for Android builds, and Android Gradle Plugin compatibility also depends on Gradle and JDK versions. Flutter documentation notes that Kotlin 1.5.31 or greater is required for Android Flutter apps, while modern Android Gradle Plugin versions commonly require JDK 17.

What Does This Error Mean?

The error:

Execution failed for task ':app:compileDebugKotlin'

means Gradle tried to compile Kotlin files inside your Android project, but the compilation failed.

In Flutter, Android native code lives inside the android folder. Even if your main app is written in Dart, many Flutter plugins use Android Kotlin code internally.

So this error can happen because of:

• Old Kotlin version
• Wrong Gradle version
• Android Gradle Plugin mismatch
• JDK mismatch
• Corrupted Gradle cache
• Plugin dependency conflict
• compileSdkVersion issue
• Android Studio using the wrong JDK
• Outdated Flutter project structure

Read : How to Fix “Gradle Build Failed” Error in Flutter (Complete Guide 2026)

Common Error Example

You may see something like this:

FAILURE: Build failed with an exception.

* What went wrong:
Execution failed for task ':app:compileDebugKotlin'.
> A failure occurred while executing org.jetbrains.kotlin.compilerRunner.GradleCompilerRunnerWithWorkers$GradleKotlinCompilerWorkAction

Or:

Could not determine the dependencies of task ':app:compileDebugKotlin'

Or:

Kotlin could not find the required JDK tools in the Java installation

Or:

Module was compiled with an incompatible version of Kotlin

Quick Fix First

Before changing versions, run these commands:

flutter clean
flutter pub get
cd android
./gradlew clean
cd ..
flutter run

On Windows PowerShell:

flutter clean
flutter pub get
cd android
.\gradlew clean
cd ..
flutter run

If this fixes the issue, the problem was probably caused by temporary Gradle or Flutter build cache.

If the error still appears, follow the complete solutions below.

Solution 1: Check Your Flutter Version

Run:

flutter --version

If you are using FVM, run:

fvm flutter --version

Then check your project Flutter version:

fvm list

If your project uses FVM, always run commands like this:

fvm flutter clean
fvm flutter pub get
fvm flutter run

Do not mix normal Flutter and FVM Flutter in the same project.

Read : Flutter FVM – Complete Guide to FVM (Flutter Version Management)

Solution 2: Update Kotlin Version

One of the most common reasons for this error is an outdated Kotlin Gradle plugin.

Open:

android/settings.gradle

You may see something like this:

plugins {
    id "dev.flutter.flutter-plugin-loader" version "1.0.0"
    id "com.android.application" version "8.6.0" apply false
    id "org.jetbrains.kotlin.android" version "1.9.24" apply false
}

Update Kotlin to a compatible version.

Example:

plugins {
    id "dev.flutter.flutter-plugin-loader" version "1.0.0"
    id "com.android.application" version "8.6.0" apply false
    id "org.jetbrains.kotlin.android" version "2.0.21" apply false
}

For many Flutter projects, Kotlin 1.9.24 or 2.0.21 is stable depending on your Gradle and Android Gradle Plugin version.

Kotlin’s official Gradle documentation explains that Kotlin, Gradle, and Android Gradle Plugin compatibility must be checked together, not independently.

Solution 3: Update Android Gradle Plugin

Open:

android/settings.gradle

Find:

id "com.android.application" version "8.x.x" apply false

Use a compatible Android Gradle Plugin version.

Example:

id "com.android.application" version "8.6.1" apply false

Do not blindly use the latest AGP version if your Flutter version does not support it properly.

For most stable Flutter projects, AGP 8.x is safer than jumping directly to AGP 9.x.

Android’s official release notes show that AGP versions have strict compatibility requirements for Gradle, SDK Build Tools, and JDK. For example, AGP 8.0 requires JDK 17, while newer AGP 9.x versions use Gradle 9.x and newer Android build tooling.

Solution 4: Update Gradle Wrapper

Open:

android/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties

You will see:

distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-8.7-all.zip

Use a Gradle version compatible with your Android Gradle Plugin.

Example:

distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-8.7-all.zip

A safe combination for many Flutter projects:

Android Gradle Plugin: 8.6.1
Gradle: 8.7
Kotlin: 1.9.24 or 2.0.21
JDK: 17

Solution 5: Use JDK 17

Modern Flutter Android builds generally require JDK 17, especially when using Android Gradle Plugin 8.x.

Check Java version:

java -version

Expected output should be similar to:

java version "17.x.x"

If you see Java 8, Java 11, or Java 21 and your project is not configured for it, change it to JDK 17.

In Android Studio:

File > Settings > Build, Execution, Deployment > Build Tools > Gradle

Set Gradle JDK to:

Embedded JDK 17

or your installed JDK 17 path.

Solution 6: Fix compileSdkVersion

Open:

android/app/build.gradle

Check:

android {
    namespace "com.example.app"
    compileSdk 35
}

If your dependencies require a newer SDK, update it:

android {
    namespace "com.example.app"
    compileSdk 36
}

Also check:

defaultConfig {
    minSdk 23
    targetSdk 36
}

Many Android plugins require a higher compile SDK. If compile SDK is too low, Gradle may fail during Kotlin or dependency compilation.

Read : How to change Android minSdkVersion in Flutter Project?

Solution 7: Delete Gradle Cache

Sometimes this error happens because Gradle cache is corrupted.

Close Android Studio and VS Code first.

Then delete these folders:

Windows

C:\Users\YourName\.gradle\caches
C:\Users\YourName\.gradle\daemon

Project-level:

your_project\android\.gradle
your_project\build
your_project\.dart_tool

Then run:

flutter clean
flutter pub get
flutter run

Solution 8: Update Flutter Dependencies

Run:

flutter pub outdated

Then update packages:

flutter pub upgrade

If you want major version updates:

flutter pub upgrade --major-versions

But be careful. Major updates can break existing code.

After updating:

flutter clean
flutter pub get
flutter run

Read : How to Upgrade Flutter SDK (Step by Step Guide for Developers)

Solution 9: Check Problematic Plugin

Sometimes the issue is caused by one Flutter plugin.

Run:

flutter run -v

Look carefully above the error. You may see a plugin name like:

firebase_messaging
google_maps_flutter
image_picker
permission_handler

Then update that plugin in pubspec.yaml.

Example:

dependencies:
  firebase_messaging: latest_version
  permission_handler: latest_version

Then run:

flutter pub get

Solution 10: Fix Kotlin JVM Target

Open:

android/app/build.gradle

Add or update:

kotlinOptions {
    jvmTarget = '17'
}

Example:

android {
    namespace "com.example.app"
    compileSdk 36

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.example.app"
        minSdk 23
        targetSdk 36
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }

    kotlinOptions {
        jvmTarget = '17'
    }
}

If your project uses newer Gradle syntax, check the Kotlin compiler options according to your Kotlin version.

Solution 11: Fix Old Flutter Android Project Structure

Older Flutter projects may still have old Gradle files.

Old projects may use:

buildscript {
    ext.kotlin_version = '1.7.10'
}

New Flutter projects usually use plugin versions inside:

android/settings.gradle

If your project is very old, create a new Flutter project and compare the android folder.

Run:

flutter create temp_project

Then compare:

temp_project/android/settings.gradle
temp_project/android/build.gradle
temp_project/android/app/build.gradle

Update your old project carefully.

Solution 12: Stop Gradle Daemon

Sometimes Gradle daemon gets stuck.

Run:

cd android
./gradlew --stop
./gradlew clean
cd ..
flutter run

On Windows:

cd android
.\gradlew --stop
.\gradlew clean
cd ..
flutter run

Solution 13: Remove Conflicting Build Files

Delete these folders from your Flutter project:

build
.dart_tool
android/.gradle
android/app/build

Then run:

flutter clean
flutter pub get
flutter run

This forces Flutter and Gradle to rebuild everything from scratch.

Solution 14: Check Android Studio SDK Setup

Open Android Studio:

Settings > Languages & Frameworks > Android SDK

Install:

Android SDK Platform 35 or 36
Android SDK Build-Tools
Android SDK Command-line Tools
Android Emulator
Android SDK Platform-Tools

Then run:

flutter doctor -v

Fix any issue shown by Flutter doctor.

Read : Flutter Doctor command — What is flutter doctor (2026 Complete Guide)

Recommended Working Configuration

For a modern Flutter project, this is a safe setup:

Flutter: Latest stable
Dart: bundled with Flutter
JDK: 17
Android Gradle Plugin: 8.x
Gradle: 8.x
Kotlin: 1.9.24 or 2.0.x
compileSdk: 35 or 36
minSdk: 23
targetSdk: 35 or 36

Avoid mixing very new AGP 9.x with older Flutter projects unless you know the compatibility clearly.

Final Working Commands

After applying fixes, run:

flutter clean
flutter pub get
cd android
./gradlew clean
cd ..
flutter run

For Windows:

flutter clean
flutter pub get
cd android
.\gradlew clean
cd ..
flutter run

For FVM users:

fvm flutter clean
fvm flutter pub get
cd android
.\gradlew clean
cd ..
fvm flutter run

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not do these things:

• Do not randomly update only Kotlin without checking Gradle.
• Do not use Java 8 with modern Android Gradle Plugin.
• Do not mix FVM Flutter and system Flutter.
• Do not keep old Gradle cache after changing versions.
• Do not update all dependencies blindly without testing.
• Do not use latest AGP 9.x in an old Flutter project without compatibility check.

Best Practical Fix Combination

If you want one practical solution, try this combination first:

JDK: 17
Kotlin: 1.9.24
Android Gradle Plugin: 8.6.1
Gradle: 8.7
compileSdk: 35 or 36

Then run:

flutter clean
flutter pub get
cd android
./gradlew clean
cd ..
flutter run

This fixes the error in most Flutter Android projects.

Read : Android Studio Download and Android SDK Setup steps for Flutter Development

Conclusion

The error:

Execution failed for task ':app:compileDebugKotlin'

is usually caused by version mismatch or corrupted build cache in Flutter Android projects.

The best way to fix it is:

flutter clean
flutter pub get

Then check:

Kotlin version
Android Gradle Plugin version
Gradle wrapper version
JDK version
compileSdkVersion
Flutter plugins

For most modern Flutter projects, using JDK 17, compatible Kotlin, AGP 8.x, and clean Gradle cache will solve the issue.

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