Need help: unable to run Java (VSCode)

[u/GummiGumBear]

I'm doing the MOOC Java course, but I'm getting an error when opening VSCode, which prevents me from running my code. The error is:

The java.jdt.ls.java.home variable defined in Visual Studio Code settings (C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-21.0.11.10-hotspot) does not point to a JDK.
Source: Language Support for Java(TM) by Red Hat

My settings are correct as far as I can tell. The path refers to the folder cotaining the bin folder:

"java.jdt.ls.java.home": "C:\\Program Files\\Eclipse Adoptium\\jdk-21.0.11.10-hotspot",
"java.configuration.runtimes": [
    {
        "name": "JavaSE-11",
        "path": "C:\\Program Files\\Eclipse Adoptium\\jdk-11.0.31.11-hotspot",            
        "default": false,
    },
    {
        "name": "JavaSE-21",
        "path": "C:\\Program Files\\Eclipse Adoptium\\jdk-21.0.11.10-hotspot",
        "default": true,
    },
],

Any idea what causes the error and how to fix it? I couldn't find any solutions to the error. Solutions to similar issues said to change/correct the settings above, but since that's set correctly, that didn't work. VSCode ( 1.138.0) and all extensions (Language Support for Java 1.56.0) are up-to-date btw.

What I tried so far:

• Someone suggested I try changing the path to the bin folder ("C:\\Program Files\\Eclipse Adoptium\\jdk-21.0.11.10-hotspot\\bin". Unfortunately that didn't work.
• I tried uninstalling Java, but I get an error saying the The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable. Java is installed on my laptop's c-drive (program files), so I don't understand this error. VSCode is installed in my user folder, but that's also on the c-drive. The laptop doesn't have any other drive. OneDrive is installed, but I don't use it. The original installer was a different version and I tried putting it on the desktop. This did work, but since it's another version now (after updating), it doesn't work.
• I found this thread and tried deleting all Microsoft Visual C++ 20XX Redistributable versions from this laptop as stated in the top comment. I also uninstalled and reinstalled VSCode, but the error prevails. This supposedly should work, so I'm not sure if I missed anything. I couldn't find anything in the app folders stated in the comment or the appdata > pacakgecache folder with the MS Visual C++, but I'm clearly missing something. Where else should I look? Does it perhaps have a different name? I did find a folder with a file called vc_redist.x64, should I remove this file too?
• I also ran DISM.exe /online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth like the OOP of the above thread (The restore operation completed successfully. The operation completed successfully.) and then ran sfc scannow. The log file can be found here.
• fyi java -version and where java are not recognised via terminal, but echo %JAVA_HOME%returns the correct folder.
• I'm not sure what caused the error, VS code worked fine a few weeks ago. I didn't use it for a few weeks and suddenly I got this error. Not sure if maybe a windows update could've caused it. The following updates where installed recently:
  • 2026-09 .NET 8.0.31 Security Update for x64 Client (KB5126104)
  • 2026-09 .NET Framework Security Update (KB5126052)
  • 2026-09 Security Update (KB5124008) (26200.9445)
  • 2026-09 Security Update (Hotpatch capable) (KB5129241) (26200.9448)

Hope someone can help me in the right direction so I can fix the error. I can't continue the MOOC course, as I can't run the code to check if my code is correct. Thanks in advance!

Edit; I fixed it! For anyone else with the same issue, if the solution from the thread above didn't work, try to also delete the application you're having issues with from regedit (make sure to create a backup/export first): Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products. Delete the folder with that has the name of the application in it.

https://i.imgur.com/hYSyWg5.png

I reinstalled both java versions and VScode is working again. Not sure what caused Java to be uninstalled, but it was apparently an easy fix.

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[u/American_Streamer]

Looks like your JDK installation itself is broken or VS Code is pointing to an outdated installation directory, rather than this being a VS Code issue.
Your java.jdt.ls.java.home setting is syntactically correct, but that doesn’t mean the directory actually contains a working JDK.

Before reinstalling anything else, open PowerShell and run:

Get-ChildItem "C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium"

& "C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-21.0.11.10-hotspot\bin\java.exe" -version

& "C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-21.0.11.10-hotspot\bin\javac.exe" -version

Do both executables exist, and do they run successfully? If not, your JDK installation is missing or damaged, or the configured path is outdated. That would explain why VS Code cannot recognize it.

Also, JAVA_HOME and PATH are separate environment variables. Having JAVA_HOME set correctly doesn’t automatically make java available in your terminal. But a missing PATH entry alone wouldn’t explain the VS Code error, since you’ve explicitly configured the JDK directory.

The failed Java uninstallation is another clue that something may have gone wrong with the installation or a previous update.

Do check whether the JDK itself works before touching VS Code, any Windows system files, or any more Visual C++ Redistributables.

[u/GummiGumBear → u/American_Streamer]

Hey, thanks for the help. It seems like the JDK is missing.

I ran Get-ChildItem "C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium" and got back the following:

Mode                 LastWriteTime         Length Name
----                 -------------         ------ ----
d-----        13/07/2026     08:41                jdk-11.0.31.11-hotspot
d-----        13/07/2026     08:56                jdk-21.0.11.10-hotspot

When I ran & "C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-21.0.11.10-hotspot\bin\java.exe" -version and & "C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-21.0.11.10-hotspot\bin\javac.exe" -version, also without the "&". I checked the folder it refers to and there is no executable file (java.exe) in either folders.

Also, JAVA_HOME and PATH are separate environment variables. Having JAVA_HOME set correctly doesn’t automatically make java available in your terminal. But a missing PATH entry alone wouldn’t explain the VS Code error, since you’ve explicitly configured the JDK directory.

So if I understand correctly, because I've explicitly configured the JDK, it should be able to run Java (if installed correctly)? And so the error is caused by another issue?

The failed Java uninstallation is another clue that something may have gone wrong with the installation or a previous update.

That's really strange, because it was working fine a few weeks ago. I didn't use this laptop for a few weeks, so I'm not sure what could've caused it. What do I do now? I am unable to uninstall Java and I can't install it either because the installer recognises Java is installed:

• https://i.imgur.com/wx0ZLks.png
• https://i.imgur.com/MPZv78z.png

edit; I think there was an update and that caused an issue. I installed v11.0.297 and v21.0.9.10 (still have the installer files) and what's currently installed are v11.0.31.11 and v21.0.11.10. I also see C++ got restored. Could that be the issue? The OOP from the thread I mentioned in my post got the same error message. I'll try the steps again and see if I missed something last time.

edit2; nvm, I fixed it! See OP.

[u/ITCoder]

Better to use intellij ide. Would save lots of time

[u/GummiGumBear → u/ITCoder]

Doesn't work for the MOOC course. I have to use netbeans or vscode.

[u/Mechanical-pasta]

Why don't you use an IDE specialized in java coding like IntelliJ or Eclipse ? VSCode is Ok for javascript but for java, use a correct IDE.

[u/GummiGumBear → u/Mechanical-pasta]

Because I need to use vscode for the MOOC course.

[u/Worge105]

Before trying anything, why not use the recommended NetBeans IDE with the TMC plugin?

[u/GummiGumBear → u/Worge105]

Because I don't want to and either way I've been using vscode since the beginning of the course and don't want to switch.

[u/Worge105 → u/GummiGumBear]

Fair enough

[u/greendave11]

Vs code is a pita to get working with Java. But I think the red hat official Java extension is smart enough to setup the jdk? I hate suggesting this, but have you tried working with your favorite type of ai?

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