Caused by: org.springframework.beans.factory.BeanCreationException: Error creating bean with name 'jpaSharedEM_entityManagerFactory': Cannot resolve reference to bean 'entityManagerFactory' while setting constructor argument

How to Resolve BeanCreationException After Upgrading to Spring Boot 3.3.3

Upgrading to the latest version of Spring Boot can sometimes introduce unexpected issues. One common error developers encounter is the BeanCreationException related to the entityManagerFactory. This blog post will guide you through understanding and resolving this issue.

Error Description

After upgrading to Spring Boot 3.3.3, you might see an error similar to the following:

Caused by: org.springframework.beans.factory.BeanCreationException: Error creating bean with name 'jpaSharedEM_entityManagerFactory': Cannot resolve reference to bean 'entityManagerFactory' while setting constructor argument
	at org.springframework.beans.factory.support.BeanDefinitionValueResolver.resolveReference(BeanDefinitionValueResolver.java:377) ~[spring-beans-6.1.12.jar:6.1.12]

This error indicates that Spring Boot is unable to create the entityManagerFactory bean, which is essential for JPA (Java Persistence API) operations.

Root Cause

The root cause of this issue is often related to changes in the configuration or dependencies that come with the new version of Spring Boot. Specifically, it can be due to:

1. Changes in Dependency Versions: Upgrading Spring Boot might also upgrade dependencies like Hibernate, which could introduce breaking changes.
2. Configuration Changes: Spring Boot 3.3.3 might have deprecated or changed certain configuration properties.

Solution

Here are the steps to resolve this issue:

1. Check Dependencies: Ensure that all your dependencies are compatible with Spring Boot 3.3.3. You can use the Spring Boot Dependency Management Plugin to manage versions.

   <dependencyManagement>
       <dependencies>
           <dependency>
               <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
               <artifactId>spring-boot-dependencies</artifactId>
               <version>3.3.3</version>
               <type>pom</type>
               <scope>import</scope>
           </dependency>
       </dependencies>
   </dependencyManagement>
   

2. Update Configuration: Review your application.properties or application.yml files for any deprecated properties. For example, ensure that your JPA configuration is up-to-date:

   spring.datasource.url=jdbc:mysql://localhost:3306/yourdb
   spring.datasource.username=root
   spring.datasource.password=yourpassword
   spring.jpa.hibernate.ddl-auto=update
   spring.jpa.show-sql=true
   

3. Use Spring Boot Properties Migrator: This tool helps in identifying and migrating deprecated properties. Add the following dependency to your project:

   <dependency>
       <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
       <artifactId>spring-boot-properties-migrator</artifactId>
       <scope>runtime</scope>
   </dependency>
   

   This will print diagnostics at startup and help you migrate properties.

4. Check Bean Definitions: Ensure that your entityManagerFactory bean is correctly defined. If you are using a custom configuration, make sure it aligns with the new version.

   @Bean
   public LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean entityManagerFactory(
           EntityManagerFactoryBuilder builder, DataSource dataSource) {
       return builder
               .dataSource(dataSource)
               .packages("com.example.yourpackage")
               .persistenceUnit("yourPersistenceUnit")
               .build();
   }

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the BeanCreationException and successfully upgrade to Spring Boot 3.3.3. Happy coding!

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¹: Spring Boot 3.0 Migration Guide