How can I troubleshoot the ‘Application startup failed: Unsupported artifact type detected’ error in

[Yash Smith]

I’m deploying an application in AppWorks and received this error: "Application startup failed: Unsupported artifact type detected." I’m not sure which artifact type AppWorks doesn’t support in this context. Could this be related to my project structure or dependencies? What steps should I take to fix this?

[Jesse Hilton]

You can fix the “Application startup failed: Unsupported artifact type detected” error by reviewing your project’s build output, checking the artifact type in the deployment configuration, and converting or replacing any unsupported artifact with a compatible one before redeploying the application.

[James Wood]

What this error means
This error usually occurs when the application tries to start but encounters an artifact (like a file, package, or component) that the platform or runtime doesn’t recognize or support.

How to troubleshoot and fix it
Verify artifact type compatibility

Check that the artifact you’re deploying (e.g., JAR, WAR, EAR, Docker image) is supported by your platform or runtime environment.

Confirm the artifact format/version matches what your app server expects.

Check build and packaging process

Ensure your build tool (Maven, Gradle, etc.) produces a correct and complete artifact.

Avoid mixing incompatible files or corrupt packages.

Review deployment configuration

Make sure you’re pointing to the right artifact location and file.

Confirm deployment scripts or configs don’t alter or rename artifacts improperly.

Check for unsupported or custom artifact types

Some platforms only accept specific artifact types; if you’re using custom or unusual types, check if additional plugins or support are required.

Examine logs for detailed error info

The logs often reveal which artifact or file caused the problem.

Use the error details to pinpoint what’s unsupported.

Try redeploying a known good artifact

Deploy a simple, standard artifact to confirm the environment works.

Helps isolate if the problem is with the artifact or environment.

Update or patch your runtime/platform

Sometimes newer artifact types require updated runtime versions.

Check for updates or patches that add support.

If you still can’t resolve it, share your artifact type, deployment method, and error logs on community forums for more specific help.