How to Fix Java.Lang.ClassNotFoundeException: Sun.Jdbc.Odbc.JdbcOdbcDriver

This tutorial demonstrates the java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: sun.jdbc.odbc.JdbcOdbcDriver error in Java.

Fix java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: sun.jdbc.odbc.JdbcOdbcDriver in Java

When we use the MS Access database with Java, the error java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: sun.jdbc.odbc.JdbcOdbcDriver can occur. This error is because Java 8 or JDK 1.8 doesn’t support the JDBC ODBC bridge.

So if you are using Java 8 or JDK 1.8 or the versions after them, the chances are the error java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: sun.jdbc.odbc.JdbcOdbcDriver will occur.

There are two solutions to solve this error, one is to revert Java to 7 or JDK before 1.8, and the second solution is to use the UCanAccess jars. Both solutions are described below.

Revert to Java or JDK Before the 8 and 1.8 Versions

To use the JDBC ODBC bridge, you must have Java 7 or previous versions because these drivers are only supported. Follow the steps below to revert to previous versions of Java or JDK.

Using Eclipse:

Using Windows or CMD:

After reverting to previous versions of Java, the error java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: sun.jdbc.odbc.JdbcOdbcDriver will be solved.

Use UCanAccess Jars

The UCanAccess jars are used to make the connection between Java and the Access database. Follow the process below to add UCanAccess jars to solve the java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: sun.jdbc.odbc.JdbcOdbcDriver error.

<dependency>
    <groupId>net.sf.ucanaccess</groupId>
    <artifactId>ucanaccess</artifactId>
    <version>5.0.0</version>
</dependency>

Once the UCanAccess jar is added to the build path and Maven dependency is set, you can connect to the MS Access database; see the example.

package delftstack;

import java.sql.Connection;
import java.sql.DriverManager;

public class Example {
  public static void main(String args[]) {
    String Database_URL = "jdbc:ucanaccess://C:\\Users\\Sheeraz\\Databases\\Demo.accdb";

    try {
      // making connection
      Connection Database_Connection = DriverManager.getConnection(Database_URL);

      if (Database_Connection != null) {
        System.out.println("The Database is Connected successfully.");
        Database_Connection.close();
      }

    } catch (Exception e) {
      e.printStackTrace();
    }
  }
}

The code above will work properly and connect to the MS Access database named Demo.accdb. See output:

The Database is Connected successfully.

Another thing should be mentioned here; if the database is large, we must also mention the Xmx and Xms parameters or set the memory parameter to false; otherwise, it will throw the error. Set the memory parameter to false, as shown below.

String Database_URL = "jdbc:ucanaccess://C:\\Users\\Sheeraz\\Databases\\Demo.accdb";memory=false";