Unable to create system preferences directory

Condition

The Apache Tomcat server log returns the following error on start-up:

Could not create system preferences directory. System preferences are unusable

Solution

Cause

This error occurs if the server is started using a user or service account that does not have the appropriate write permissions on the .systemPrefs directory.

Remedy

1. Locate the Java system preferences location. The directory is typically found at the following locations: /etc/.java/ or /jre/. It may also have been specified using the following Java command-line argument:

-Djava.util.prefs.systemRoot

2. Check the user/service account the Tomcat server runs as and set the appropriate write permissions on the preferences directory (e.g.: chmod 700 /jre/).

Last updated almost 3 years ago