Resolving the “Default Activity Not Found” Error in Android Studio

Resolving the "Default Activity Not Found" Error in Android Studio

22 May 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Encountering the “Default Activity Not Found” error in Android Studio can be a common issue, especially after upgrading the IDE or generating a new APK file. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you resolve this issue effectively.

Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Refresh the IDE’s Cache

If you see this error after upgrading Android Studio or generating a new APK, the first step you should take is to refresh the IDE’s cache:

  1. Go to the File menu.
  2. Select Invalidate Caches / Restart…
  3. Restart the IDE.

2. Verify the AndroidManifest.xml File

The “Default Activity Not Found” error often indicates that there is no activity declared in the AndroidManifest.xml file that is marked as the main activity to be launched when the application starts. Ensure that your manifest file includes an activity with the following intent filter:

<activity
    android:name="com.your.package.name.YourActivity"
    android:label="@string/app_name">
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
        <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
    </intent-filter>
</activity>

3. Edit Configurations

Sometimes, the issue can be resolved by adjusting the run/debug configurations in Android Studio:

  1. Select Edit Configurations from the Run menu.
  2. In the General tab, ensure that the Launch Options are set correctly. You may need to set the launch option to Nothing if you are working on a widget app or similar.
  3. Save your changes and retry running the project.

4. Mark Source Folders Correctly

If the issue persists, ensure that your source folders are marked correctly in the project structure:

  1. Right-click on the project and select Open Module Settings.
  2. Navigate to the Sources tab in your module.
  3. Find the src folder, right-click on it, and mark it as Sources (blue color).

For later versions of Android Studio, you may need to edit the build.gradle file instead.

5. Clear Cache Folders

If none of the above steps work, try clearing the Android/Gradle cache folders:

  1. Exit Android Studio.
  2. Go to C:\Users\YOUR_USER_WINDOWS_NAME and delete the following folders:
  • .android
  • .AndroidStudio3.2
  • .gradle
  • Restart Android Studio and sync the project again.
  • Conclusion

    By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “Default Activity Not Found” error in Android Studio. For more detailed guidance, consider exploring our documentation and blog for additional tips and best practices.

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