java.lang.UnsatisfiedLinkError: getProxyConfigURL error on OS X

I keep getting the java.lang.UnsatisfiedLinkError: getProxyConfigURL error when trying to view certain pages with embedded java apps – ie http://www.irishisptest.com/myspeed/ and http://visualroute.visualware.com/

This was happening under 10.3 and I had hoped that the upgrade to 10.4 (Tiger) would resolve it. Other Mac users can view these pages so I know it is peculiar to my Mac.

I think what I will have to do is to do a clean install of Tiger on the Mac instead of the upgrade I did yesterday. If that doesn’t resolve it, I’m stumped!

UPDATE: I resolved this issue without re-installing the OS.

Short version:
Removing the Internet Plug-Ins folder from the Library folder and re-starting the Mac sorted this for me.

Long version:
I started by removing the com.apple.Safari.plist file from the Library -> Preferences folder and re-starting the Mac.
When this didn’t work, I removed the Preferences folder from the Library folder and re-started the Mac.
This didn’t work so I re-named the Library folder and re-started the Mac – bingo! Suddenly the java apps worked. Now all I had to do was put back all the folders into the Library folder (re-starting it each time) until it broke again to find out which one caused it to break.
I eventually discovered it was the Internet Plug-Ins folder.

Hope this helps someone.

13 thoughts on “java.lang.UnsatisfiedLinkError: getProxyConfigURL error on OS X”

  1. Well, so far it did not work. He is now trying various combinations of plugins and whatever but has had to stop for a few days. Will start again sometime next week.

    Thanks anyway, I’m sure we’ll lick it.

  2. Sorry to hear that Ellen,

    Even re-naming the Library folder and re-starting didn’t solve it? Is it the same for all users?

    if so, you may need a re-install of the OS – try doing things like repairing the permissions using Disk Utility from the Install disk (start up from the CD).

    If you do solve it, you might let me know how you did, for my info but also for anyone else who finds this post.

  3. I found the following and it resolved our issue with this error:

    1) check the java plugins in your User> Library > internet plug ins and in your system>> Library>> internet plugins
    2) Compare the java pluins of the two folders, if they are the same, trash the ones in your user folder
    3) restart the computer and you should be working fine

    We found that the user Library versions were much older and overiding the system versions.

  4. I can’t believe it! This worked like a charm.

    You have no idea how long I wrestled with this problem (with no useful information from Apple or Java sites).

    Many thanks!

  5. hi friends! i dont know if i have the same problem, but certainly java dont work since i installed the lastest version of quicktime and the vlc player. i have a mac os x intel 10.4.9. i’m really depressed cause i have tried everything, but java still dont work. a coffe cup appears in safari and a blank screen in firefox… no messages, no nothing, thats all. anybody can help me, please??
    thanks a lot

  6. brad and tom, that worked a treat, i’ve been trying to figure out how to fix it for ages – it always ends up being a simple solution, huh!! i’ll be back to this site whenever i have a problem in the future.
    thanks guys!!

  7. Can’t believe I found the answer so easily today. It worked. Been looking off and on for several months to no avail

    Thanks

  8. OMG I can’t tell you how happy I am to have found your site with this info. Forever I’ve been reinstalling Java, I reinstall MAC OS, still never works, and NOW IT DOES, thank you thank you!!

Comments are closed.