Android Studio: “Execution failed for task ':app:mergeDebugResources'” if project is created on drive C:

Question

I added Google Play services as a dependency in my current project. If I save the project on the C: drive, I get the following error while syncing up the project:

Error: Execution failed for task ':app:mergeDebugResources'.
       > Error: Failed to run command:
       C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-studio\sdk\build-tools\android-4.4.2\aapt.exe s -i C:\Users\ashokp\Desktop\Studio\AndroidV2SDK_AndroidStudioFormat\Google Play
       Services\SampleApplication\AndroidV2SDKSampleApp_GooglePlayServices\app\build\exploded-aar\com.google.android.gms\play-services\4.3.23\res\drawable-hdpi\common_signin_btn_text_focus_light.9.png -o
       C:\Users\ashokp\Desktop\Studio\AndroidV2SDK_AndroidStudioFormat\Google Play
       Services\SampleApplication\AndroidV2SDKSampleApp_GooglePlayServices\app\build\res\all\debug\drawable-hdpi\common_signin_btn_text_focus_light.9.png
       Error Code:
       42

This only happens if the project is saved on the C: drive. If I save it to some other drive, it works perfectly.

Does anyone else face this issue? What causes this? How can I fix/circumvent this?

Answer 1

This is caused by the path length restriction. I think it's 256 characters maximum.

Relocate your project and the build will succeed.

Answer 2

I had the same problem. Try to go to Build - Rebuild project. I didn't get that problem again and my app successfully started.

Answer 3

For developers who live in Iran, Just rebuild while offline. You're done! (it's related to sanctions!)

Answer 4

I have a similar problem with Error:Execution failed for task ':app:mergeDebugResources. And at last I found the reason is the pictures resource error which use the incorrect ".9.png".