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Fixing "Package org.springframework.boot Does Not Exist" in Maven

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If you encounter the error "Package org.springframework.boot does not exist" in your Maven-based Spring Boot project, it means Maven cannot resolve Spring Boot dependencies. This issue commonly occurs due to incorrect Maven configuration, missing repositories, or incompatible dependencies.

In this guide, we’ll explore why this error happens and provide step-by-step solutions to fix it.

Why Does This Error Occur?

The error typically appears when:

  1. Spring Boot dependencies are missing in pom.xml.
  2. Incorrect or missing Maven repository (Spring repositories not configured).
  3. Maven project not properly loaded (IDE cache issue).
  4. Incorrect Java or Spring Boot version (version mismatch).
  5. Network/proxy issues (Maven unable to download dependencies).

Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Verify Spring Boot Dependencies in pom.xml

Ensure your pom.xml includes the Spring Boot Starter Parent and required dependencies:

Basic Spring Boot Maven Setup 

<project>
    <parent>
        <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
        <artifactId>spring-boot-starter-parent</artifactId>
        <version>3.2.0</version> <!-- Use latest stable version -->
    </parent>

    <dependencies>
        <dependency>
            <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
            <artifactId>spring-boot-starter</artifactId>
        </dependency>
    </dependencies>
</project>
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If Not Using spring-boot-starter-parent

If you’re not using the Spring Boot Parent POM, explicitly define Spring Boot dependencies:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-boot-dependencies</artifactId>
    <version>3.2.0</version>
    <type>pom</type>
    <scope>import</scope>
</dependency>
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2. Check Maven Repositories

Maven needs access to Spring repositories to download Spring Boot dependencies. Ensure your pom.xml includes:

<repositories>
    <repository>
        <id>spring-milestones</id>
        <name>Spring Milestones</name>
        <url>https://repo.spring.io/milestone</url>
    </repository>
    <repository>
        <id>spring-snapshots</id>
        <name>Spring Snapshots</name>
        <url>https://repo.spring.io/snapshot</url>
        <snapshots>
            <enabled>true</enabled>
        </snapshots>
    </repository>
</repositories>
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3. Update Maven & Reload Project

Sometimes, the issue is due to IDE cache or Maven not syncing properly:

In IntelliJ IDEA

  1. Right-click on pom.xml → Maven → Reimport.
  2. File → Invalidate Caches → Restart IDE.

In Eclipse

  1. Right-click project → Maven → Update Project.
  2. Check "Force Update of Snapshots/Releases".

Command Line (if using terminal) 

mvn clean install -U
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(-U forces Maven to update dependencies)

4. Check Java Version Compatibility

Spring Boot 3.x requires Java 17+, while 2.x works with Java 8+. Verify:

In pom.xml 

<properties>
    <java.version>17</java.version> <!-- For Spring Boot 3.x -->
</properties>
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Check Installed Java Version 

java -version
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If using an older Java version, upgrade JDK or downgrade Spring Boot:

<parent>
    <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-boot-starter-parent</artifactId>
    <version>2.7.18</version> <!-- For Java 8/11 -->
</parent>
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5. Fix Network/Proxy Issues

If Maven cannot download dependencies due to corporate proxy/firewall, configure Maven settings:

Edit ~/.m2/settings.xml 

<settings>
    <proxies>
        <proxy>
            <id>corporate-proxy</id>
            <active>true</active>
            <protocol>http</protocol>
            <host>proxy.yourcompany.com</host>
            <port>8080</port>
            <username>your-username</username>
            <password>your-password</password>
        </proxy>
    </proxies>
</settings>
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Final Working Example

Here’s a complete pom.xml that works with Spring Boot 3.2.0:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<project>
    <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
    <parent>
        <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
        <artifactId>spring-boot-starter-parent</artifactId>
        <version>3.2.0</version>
    </parent>

    <groupId>com.example</groupId>
    <artifactId>demo</artifactId>
    <version>1.0.0</version>

    <properties>
        <java.version>17</java.version>
    </properties>

    <dependencies>
        <dependency>
            <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
            <artifactId>spring-boot-starter</artifactId>
        </dependency>
    </dependencies>

    <repositories>
        <repository>
            <id>spring-milestones</id>
            <name>Spring Milestones</name>
            <url>https://repo.spring.io/milestone</url>
        </repository>
    </repositories>
</project>
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Conclusion

To fix "Package org.springframework.boot does not exist":

  1. ✅ Check pom.xml for correct Spring Boot dependencies.
  2. ✅ Ensure Maven repositories are properly configured.
  3. ✅ Reload Maven project in IDE.
  4. ✅ Verify Java version compatibility.
  5. ✅ Check network/proxy settings if dependencies fail to download.

Following these steps should resolve the issue. If the problem persists, check Maven logs (mvn clean install -X) for detailed errors.

Further Reading

Did this solution work for you? Let me know in the comments! 🚀

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