I am not able launch JNLP applications using "Java Web Start"?

Question

Up until recently, I was able to launch/open JNLP files in Firefox using Java web start.

Don't know what happened all of a sudden JNLP files stopped launching, a splash screen appears saying Java Starting... and then nothing happens. Even the Java Console in the browser and javacpl.cpl applet doesn't open.

Tried all possibilities: removed all older version and installed the latest JRE (java version "1.6.0_17"), still it doesn't work.

Done some googling for this problem, people suggested to start javaws.exe with -viewer option but same behavior (a splash screen appears saying "Java Starting..." and then disappears)

The problem is that I don't know any place (logs etc.) to look for to see what is causing the problem.

I am using WinXP SP3, and some of the screenshots below shows further info about my system. I can provide any other detail if required but please help me solve this problem.

Solution 1

Although this question is bit old, the issue was caused by corrupted ClearType registry setting and resolved by fixing it, as described in this ClearType, install4j and case of Java bug post.

ClearType, install4j and case of Java bug Java

Do you know what ClearType (font-smoothing technology in Windows) has in common with Java (programming language and one of the recommended frameworks)?

Nothing except that they were working together hard at making me miserable for few months. I had some Java software that I couldn’t install. I mean really couldn’t – not even figure out reason or reproduce it on another PC.

Recently I was approved for Woopra beta (site analytics service) and it uses desktop client written in Java… I couldn’t install. That got me really mad. :)

Story All of the software in question was similar :

setup based on install4j; setup crashing with bunch of errors. I was blaming install4j during early (hundred or so) attempts to solve issue. Later I slowly understood that if it was that bugged for that long time – solution would have been created and googled.

Tracing After shifting focus from install4j I decided to push Java framework. I was trying stable versions earlier so decided to go for non-stable 1.6 Update 10 Release Candidate.

This actually fixed error messages but not crashes. I had also noticed that there was new error log created in directory with setup files. Previously I had only seen logs in Windows temporary directory.

New error log was saying following :

Could not display the GUI. This application needs access to an X Server. If you have access there is probably an X library missing. ******************************************************************* You can also run this application in console mode without access to an X server by passing the argument -c Very weird to look for X-Server on non-Linux PC, isn’t it? So I decided to try that “-c” argument. And was actually able to install in console mode.

Happy ending? Nope. Now installed app was crashing. But it really got me thinking. If console works but graphical interface doesn’t – there must be problem with latter.

One more error log (in application folder) was now saying (among other things) :

Caused by: java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: -60397977 incompatible with Text-specific LCD contrast key Which successfully googled me description of bug with Java unable to read non-standard ClearType registry setting.

Solution I immediately launched ClearType Tuner from Control Panel and found setting showing gibberish number. After correcting it to proper one all problems with Java were instantly gone.

cleartypetuner_screenshot Lessons learned Don’t be fast to blame software problems on single application. Even minor and totally unrelated settings can launch deadly chain reactions. Links Jave Runtime Environment http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

ClearType Tuner http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Woopra http://www.woopra.com/

install4j http://www.ej-technologies.com/products/install4j/overview.html

Solution 2

I know this is an older question but this past week I started to get a similar problem, so I leave here some notes regarding the solution that fits me.

This happened only in some Windows machines using even the last JRE to date (1.8.0_45).

The Java Web Start started to load but nothing happened and none of the previous solution attempts worked.

After some digging i've found this thread, which gives the same setup and a great explanation.

https://community.oracle.com/thread/3676876

So, in conclusion, it was a memory problem in x86 JRE and since our JNLP's max heap was defined as 1024MB, we changed to 780MB as suggested and it was fixed.

However, if you need more than 780MB, can always try launching in a x64 JRE version.

Solution 3

Have a look at what happens if you run javaws.exe directly from the command line.

Solution 4

i had the same problem here. go to your Java Control Panel and Settings... Uncheck 'Keep temporary files on my computer'. Apply changes and try again your .jnlp

Note: Tested on different machines; Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7 64bit. Java Version: 1.7++ since my jnlp app is built on 1.7

Please let me know your feedback too. :D

Solution 5

Java web start should be enabled.
Check if javaws (Java web start is enabled for your system), Use below command in console to open java control panel.

javaws -viewer

View more solutions