React Native Android plugin not found: what I would check first

If a React Native Android build fails with a message that a plugin was not found, it can look very specific at first. But in practice, “plugin not found” errors can come from several different categories of problems: React Native Gradle plugin setup settings.gradle misconfiguration plugin management issues included build resolution problems version mismatches after upgrades autolinking-related setup problems mixed Expo / bare React Native Android config So even though the error message sounds narrow, the debugging still needs structure. This is the checklist I would go through first. Why this error wastes time A “plugin not found” error often pushes people toward one of two bad reactions: randomly changing Gradle files until something works assuming the plugin name in the message is the only thing that matters Both can waste time. Usually, the real question is not just: “Why can’t Gradle find this plugin?” It is: “Why is this Android build looking for that plugin in the wrong way or wr