IBM Support

ClearCase and Visual Studio integration error - "java was started but returned exit code=255"

Troubleshooting


Problem

When navigating to Tools>Options in Visual Studio and selecting Rational ClearCase, the following error occurs: “java was started but returned exit code=255”. Cleartool commands are usable but the ClearCase components under Visual Studio won't start.

Environment

Windows, IBM DevOps ClearCase 11.x, Rational ClearCase 9.1.x, 10.x

Diagnosing The Problem

In order to diagnose the issue:

First, try to see if Clearteam Explorer successfully starts. If it fails the same way, then:

  1. Run reg query "HKLM\Software\Rational Software\common" /v JavaRuntimeDir
  2. You will get output telling you the actual path of the java runtime directory like the example at the bottom:
    1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Rational Software\common JavaRuntimeDir REG_SZ C:\Users\Public\openjdk8\java-openjdk-1.8.0.191-1.b12\bin
  3. Check:
    1. Does that directory exist?
    2. Does java.exe and/or javaw.exe exist in that location?
    3. Is it a 64-bit Java 8 runtime?

There is also the possibility that the issue is due to the JRE being used is located in the "IMShared" or "Installation Manager" directories. An update of either Installation manager, or other bundled application may delete those directories, thus inducing the issue. Also, if the JRE installation is "managed" software that gets installed in Java-version-specific directories, a managed update that replaces the JRE & removes the previous versions may prompt the same error.

Resolving The Problem

The following can be tried to help resolve the issue:

  1. Check and update the registry for the java runtime information.
  2. Set the Tools->Options->Source Control setting to Rational Clearcase.
    1. *There's also the option to enable “Allow synchronous autoload of extensions” setting on the Tools->Options->Extensions to be checked (though this is not recommended). This is especially for VS 2019 and VS 2022 installations.
  3. Use an open-source JRE (not-managed) and not the one that's under the 'IMShared' or 'Installation Manager' directories.

 

Document Location

Worldwide

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Document Information

Modified date:
14 January 2026

UID

ibm17256447

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