Android Studio Gradle Build Slow

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Run Build Analyzer

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   1. View > Tool Windows > Build, then open the Build Analyzer tab
   2. If garbage collection takes over 15% of build time, raise the heap
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Raise the Gradle heap

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   1. In gradle.properties set org.gradle.jvmargs=-Xmx6g -XX:+HeapDumpOnOutOfMemoryError -Dfile.encoding=UTF-8 -XX:+UseParallelGC -XX:MaxMetaspaceSize=1g
   2. Google recommends explicit MaxMetaspaceSize because of Gradle issue 19750
   3. Measure before and after
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Enable the configuration cache

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   1. Add org.gradle.configuration-cache=true to gradle.properties
   2. Use Build Analyzer to check plugin compatibility first
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Cut unnecessary work

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   1. Migrate from kapt to KSP where libraries support it
   2. Use static dependency versions (no '+')
   3. Set android.enableJetifier=false if no old support libraries remain
   4. Keep AGP and Android Studio up to date
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Windows antivirus exclusions

   1. Exclude the .gradle folder, project folder and SDK folder from real-time scanning
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Builds take minutes, sync is slow, or Gradle runs out of memory with 'Daemon disappeared' or 'GC overhead' errors.

Why it happens

• Gradle heap too small, so garbage collection dominates the build
• Configuration cache and build cache off
• kapt in use instead of KSP
• Dynamic dependency versions that force update checks
• Antivirus scanning build output (Windows)
• Jetifier still enabled

This guide also covers

• android studio gradle build slow
• speed up gradle build android
• gradle build taking forever android studio
• gradle daemon disappeared android studio

Other Android Studio errors

• Android Studio Gradle Sync Failed
• Android Studio Emulator Not Starting
• Android Emulator HAXM / Hypervisor Error (VT-x, WHPX, AEHD)
• Android Studio Emulator Slow or Laggy
• Android Studio Device Offline or Not Detected (ADB)
• Android Studio Slow and Using Too Much RAM
• Android Studio SDK Location Not Found
• Android Studio Build Failed: JDK, Gradle or AGP Version Mismatch