'mvn' is not recognized as an internal or external command

# 'mvn' is not recognized as an internal or external command

The error "'mvn' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file" occurs for multiple reasons:

1. Not having Apache Maven installed on your machine.
2. Not having the path to the mvn binary file in your system's PATH environment variable.
3. Not having Java Development Kit (JDK) installed on your machine.
4. Not having the path to the java executable in your system's PATH environment variable.

To resolve the error:

1. Visit the official Apache Maven downloads page and click on the "Binary zip archive" link under "Files", e.g. apache-maven-3.8.6-bin.zip.

2. Open your Downloads directory, right-click on the apache-mavenzip file and click "Extract all".

3. When you get prompted for the destination folder, click on "Browse" and select the "C:\Program Files" directory and click "Select Folder" > "Extract".

Alternatively, you can extract the zip file in the current directory and copy the apache-maven folder to your preferred location, e.g. C:\Program Files.

There is a bin directory in your apache-maven-X.Y.Z directory.

The bin directory contains the mvn executable file which is run when you issue mvn commands using the CLI.

# Add the path to the mvn executable to your system's PATH environment variable

To add the path to the mvn executable in your system's PATH environment variable:

1. Click on the Search bar and type "environment variables".
2. Click on "Edit the system environment variables".

3. Click on the "Environment Variables" button.

4. In the "System variables" section, select the "Path" variable and click "Edit".

5. You can either click "New" and then "Browse" and navigate to the path of the bin directory or paste it directly.

For me, the path is the following.

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C:\Program Files\apache-maven-3.8.6\bin

We are looking for the bin directory that contains the mvn executable file.

6. Once you find the path to your bin directory, add it and click on the "OK" button twice to confirm.

7. Close your Command prompt application and then reopen it.

You might also have to restart your PC, but that's not always necessary.

Open a new Command Prompt and run the mvn --version command to make sure the mvn executable is accessible.

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mvn --version

If the error persists, make sure that:

• you don't have any stale CMD, PowerShell or IDE sessions and rerun the mvn --version command.

• You have a Java Development Kit (JDK) version installed and you have the java executable in your PATH.

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java -version

If you get an error that java is not recognized, you have to:

• install Java Development Kit (JDK)
• have the path to the java executable in your PATH environment variable to be able to use Apache Maven

# Installing and configuring Java Development Kit on Windows

If you already have java installed, scroll down to the "Add the path to the java executable in your system's PATH environment variable" subheading.

To install and configure Java on Windows:

1. Download the official Java Development Kit installer.

2. When you start the installer, you might have to change your app recommendation settings.

3. You can set the "Choose where to get apps" value to "Anywhere, but warn me before installing an app that's not from the Microsoft Store".

4. Click on "Install anyway".

5. Click on the "Next" button.

6. Leave the default destination location selected and click "Next".

7. Wait for the installation to complete and click on the "Close" button.

8. Restart your Command Prompt and try issuing the java -version command.

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java -version

mvn --version

If the error persists, you have to set the path to the java executable in your system's PATH environment variable.

# Add the path to the java executable in your system's PATH environment variable

To add the path to the java executable in your system's PATH environment variable:

1. Click on the Search bar and type "environment variables".
2. Click on "Edit the system environment variables".

3. Click on the "Environment Variables" button.

4. In the "System variables" section, select the "Path" variable and click "Edit".

5. You can either click "New" and then "Browse" and navigate to the path or paste it directly.

The path on my machine is the following:

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# 👇️ this is the path on my machine
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Oracle\Java\javapath

# 👇️ it might also be the following path for you
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Oracle\Java\javapath

In your case, the java.exe file might also be under a path similar to the following.

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# 👇️ your version will likely be different
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_351\bin

If you can't find the PATH, try issuing the where java command.

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where java

On my machine, the location that contains the java executable files is the following.

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C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-19\bin

Notice that the path contains the jdk version, so your path will likely be different if your jdk version differs.

6. Once you find the path to your java executable files, add it and click on the "OK" button twice.

7. Close your Command prompt application and then reopen it.

You might also have to restart your PC, but that's not always necessary.

Open a new Command Prompt and run the java -version command to make sure java is installed.

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java -version

mvn --version

If the error persists, try restarting your PC to make sure you don't have any stale CMD, PowerShell or IDE sessions and rerun the mvn --version command.

# Conclusion

To solve the error "'mvn' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file", make sure:

1. You have Apache Maven installed on your machine.
2. You have the path to the mvn binary file in your system's PATH environment variable.
3. You have Java Development Kit (JDK) installed on your machine.
4. You have the path to the java executable in your system's PATH environment variable.

# Additional Resources

You can learn more about the related topics by checking out the following tutorials:

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