spring-projects/spring-framework · error · BeanCreationException

Lookup method resolution failed

Error message

Lookup method resolution failed

What it means

A wrapper BeanCreationException thrown from checkLookupMethods() when an IllegalStateException occurs during the resolution of @Lookup-annotated methods. The underlying cause is attached so the developer can inspect the real problem. This is a catch-all for unexpected reflective or state errors during lookup-method processing, distinct from the missing-bean-definition case (error 201).

Solutions

1. Ensure the AutowiredAnnotationBeanPostProcessor has its beanFactory set before any bean processing occurs — use a standard Spring context rather than manual wiring.
2. Inspect the cause (ex.getCause()) of the BeanCreationException to find the real IllegalStateException and address that root issue.
3. Verify @Lookup methods are on Spring-managed beans processed through the normal container refresh cycle.

try {
    context.getBean(MyPrototypeBean.class);
} catch (BeanCreationException ex) {
    if (ex.getMessage().contains("Lookup method resolution failed")) {
        Throwable root = ex.getCause();
        // inspect root IllegalStateException — likely beanFactory not set
    }
}

When it happens

Trigger: The inner do-with-methods lambda or the surrounding loop throws an IllegalStateException that is not a NoSuchBeanDefinitionException. Possible triggers include beanFactory being null (Assert.state at line 463 fails) or a concurrency-related state corruption during class hierarchy traversal.

Common situations: Calling determineCandidateConstructors or postProcessProperties before the BeanFactory has been fully initialized or set on the AutowiredAnnotationBeanPostProcessor. Using the post-processor outside a normal Spring container lifecycle (e.g., in a custom bootstrap).

Related errors

• Cannot apply @Lookup to beans without corresponding bean…
• Injection of autowired dependencies failed
• Invocation of init method failed
• No matching bean found for bean name ' '! (Note: Qualifier…
• Unexpected MethodOverride subclass:

AI-assisted analysis of spring-projects/spring-framework@69bf83ad71 (2026-08-09). Data as JSON: /api/errors/da2fc7dd9faa633f. Report an issue: GitHub.

Appendix: source

Thrown at spring-beans/src/main/java/org/springframework/beans/factory/annotation/AutowiredAnnotationBeanPostProcessor.java:482

								LookupOverride override = new LookupOverride(method, lookup.value());
								try {
									RootBeanDefinition mbd = (RootBeanDefinition)
											this.beanFactory.getMergedBeanDefinition(beanName);
									mbd.getMethodOverrides().addOverride(override);
								}
								catch (NoSuchBeanDefinitionException ex) {
									throw new BeanCreationException(beanName,
											"Cannot apply @Lookup to beans without corresponding bean definition");
								}
							}
						});
						targetClass = targetClass.getSuperclass();
					}
					while (targetClass != null && targetClass != Object.class);

				}
				catch (IllegalStateException ex) {
					throw new BeanCreationException(beanName, "Lookup method resolution failed", ex);
				}
			}
			this.lookupMethodsChecked.add(beanName);
		}
	}

	@Override
	public PropertyValues postProcessProperties(PropertyValues pvs, Object bean, String beanName) {
		InjectionMetadata metadata = findAutowiringMetadata(beanName, bean.getClass(), pvs);
		try {
			metadata.inject(bean, beanName, pvs);
		}
		catch (BeanCreationException ex) {
			throw ex;
		}
		catch (Throwable ex) {
			throw new BeanCreationException(beanName, "Injection of autowired dependencies failed", ex);
		}

View on GitHub (pinned to 69bf83ad71)