How to Fix the Flutter Execution failed for task ':app:mergeReleaseResources' Error

Encountering the `Flutter Execution failed for task ':app:mergeReleaseResources'` error? This guide provides a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting and resolving this issue, focusing on PNG file signatures in your Flutter project.
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Troubleshooting the Flutter Execution failed for task ':app:mergeReleaseResources' Error

If you're developing a Flutter application and trying to build your project for release, you may come across the error message:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This error typically arises during the compilation of your application's resources, specifically when the resource builder encounters issues with image files. One common cause is related to the PNG file signature, which, if incorrect, can prevent your app from compiling successfully. Let’s dive deeper into understanding this problem and how to fix it.

Understanding the Error

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The specific error is:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This indicates that the PNG files in question are either corrupted or have been improperly formatted, making them unreadable by the Flutter build process.

How to Resolve the Issue

To resolve this error, follow these steps:

Verify and Replace the Image Files

You can attempt to open them with an image viewer to see if they display correctly.

Re-Export the PNG Files: If the images appear corrupted or if they are not displaying, delete the existing files and re-export new PNG images from your design software (such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or any graphics editor you are using).

Use Proper PNG Format: Ensure that the images are exported in the correct PNG format. Verify the exported files by using utility tools or online checkers to confirm that the file headers are correct.

Adjust Your Build Configuration

If the issue persists even after ensuring that your images are correctly formatted, you may wish to adjust your build configuration to bypass image optimization during the build process:

Modify the Configuration: Add or modify the following code in the android section:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Setting crunchPngs to false will prevent Android from optimizing the PNG files, which may help bypass the compilation error.

Rebuild Your Project

After making these changes, try rebuilding your project by running the following command in your terminal:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This command will generate separate APKs for different CPU architectures, which can reduce the size of the application for each platform.

Conclusion

Encountering the Flutter Execution failed for task ':app:mergeReleaseResources' error can be frustrating, but with the right steps, you can easily resolve it. By ensuring your image files are properly formatted and adjusting your build configurations as needed, you will have a smoother development experience. Always make sure to validate your assets before building your application, and involve a cleanup of any corrupt files when errors arise.

Make sure to follow these tips to maintain a clean and efficient Flutter project!