error means Katalon Studio is still executing with Java 21, while one of the JARs/classes in your project or plugins was compiled for Java 25.
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Class file version 69.0 = Java 25
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Class file version 65.0 = Java 21
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Java 21 cannot load Java 25 class files, so it throws UnsupportedClassVersionError
Changing JAVA_HOME in your terminal usually will not fix it because Katalon Studio commonly uses its own bundled runtime or its own configured JRE, not the terminal’s Java.
First: identify the offending JAR
The stack trace names the class:
text
geh/data/ViewException
Find which JAR contains it:
powershell
# From your Katalon project folder
Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Include *.jar | ForEach-Object {
$jar = $_.FullName
$hit = & "C:\path\to\jdk-21\bin\jar.exe" tf $jar 2>$null | Select-String "geh/data/ViewException"
if ($hit) { "$jar => $hit" }
}
Then check that JAR’s class-file version:
powershell
& "C:\path\to\jdk-21\bin\javap.exe" -v -cp "path\to\offending.jar" geh.data.ViewException | Select-String "major"
If it says major version: 69, that JAR is built for Java 25.
Most likely fixes
Option A: Remove or replace the Java 25 JAR
If the JAR is in your project’s Drivers folder, Plugins folder, or a custom plugin, replace it with a build compatible with Java 21.
bash
javac --release 21 ...
--release 21 produces class files that Java 21 can load.
This is the safest fix if Katalon Studio must remain on its supported Java 21 runtime.
Option B: Make Katalon actually use Java 25
Only do this if your Katalon version officially supports Java 25. Do not assume it does.
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Close Katalon Studio.
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Locate the Java runtime Katalon is actually launching.
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Update Katalon’s launcher/configuration to point to JDK 25.
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Restart Katalon and confirm inside the environment that it is using Java 25.
The important point is that installing JDK 25 elsewhere does not automatically change the runtime used by Katalon Studio.
Option C: Check Katalon’s configured JRE
In Katalon Studio:
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Go to Preferences → Java → Installed JREs.
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Add your JDK 25 installation, if supported.
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Select it as the active JRE.
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Restart Katalon Studio.
However, if Katalon launches through its bundled JRE, changing only the Installed JRE list may not affect the Studio process itself. In that case, Option A is the safer route.
What to share next
To pinpoint it exactly, please share:
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Full stack trace, especially the first Caused by line
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Katalon Studio version
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The exact path of geh/data/ViewException if visible in the trace
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Output of:
powershell
java -version
where.exe java
echo $env:JAVA_HOME
- Whether
geh/data/ViewException comes from a custom JAR, Katalon plugin, or an external dependency
The cleanest solution is usually: find the Java 25-built JAR and replace/rebuild it for Java 21, unless Katalon explicitly supports running on Java 25