How to fix java virtual machine launcher error?

[charlesrich]

Eclipse/IDE keeps showing java virtual machine launcher error at startup and won’t open my workspace. I’ve confirmed JAVA_HOME and PATH, but not sure about the JVM bitness or launcher config. What exact edits or steps fixed this for you?

 

[Lisa]

I experienced the same issue rather recently. The solution to it for me was to edit the eclipse.ini file. Make sure, the -vm path points to the javaw.exe without any Forward Slash path for the corresponding version of how Java installed (64 bit eclipse requires 64 bit JVM). Also, it has to be before -vmargs in the file. After that, Eclipse launched fine.

 

[jameswill8520]

Then be honest, I screamed at my laptop every time this error used to pop up . Then I realized that I had 32 on Eclipse and 64 of Java. Switched to matching 64-bit for both and now it opened like nothing ever happened. Moral check your "bitness" it's like dating, you ain't a match for each other nothing works!!!!

 

[rebeccareed]

I actually do not think it is always about the eclipse.ini or bitness. Sometimes a corrupt workspace can bring about this too. What could be done is try starting up Eclipse with clean -data new workspace as eclipse.exe -clean -data <new_workspace> and to see if that works. If it works, your old working space are just broke .

 

[ArthurMex]

Check these two things:

1. Bitness of Eclipse and Java match.
2. -vm path In the eclipse.ini file is path of actual java executable

That set me straight for me in a heartbeat. Nothing else mattered.

 

[jimmy]

Man did I spend a whole afternoon in this. Turns out that my PATH had an old version of Java (7) in the top. And then eclipse kept on picking that up and throwing the error the JVM. Took it out, turned it back on and boom works just fine. As you should Always check environment variables first before going crazy editing configs.