How to fix Eclipse error : Java was started but returned exit code=13

If you are  getting an  error saying “Java was Started but Returned Exit Code=13” during Eclipse installation or after installation,  then here is fix for that. 

Before fixing the issue, will try find out what are the reasons behind this, following are the main four reasons:

Reason 1: The most common reason behind this problem is, we are trying to install different bit version-that is, 64 bit or 32 bit  version of the software. It maybe either Eclipse or Java.

Reason 2: Configuration mistake in Eclipse.ini  file

Reason 3: Special characters ( #, !, @) in Eclipse installation directory

Reason 4: You maybe using latest version of Eclipse, but you might be using  wrong version or unsupported version  of Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

Solution for REASON 01

Check windows version whether it is 32 bit or 64 bit, and then find out Java version installed in your PC.

If you downloaded 32 bit version (X86) of Java or eclipse any one of them when you having a 64 bit operating system, you will get that Exit code=13 error.

Solution for REASON 02

Mistakenly or not the configuration file for eclipse may have contain missing parts or errors when specifying the JVM for eclipse. Here is the original wiki article for specifying JVM.

The following examples of eclipse.ini demonstrate correct usage of the -vm option.

Note the format of the -vm option - it is important to be exact:

• The -vm option and its value (the path) must be on separate lines.

• The value must be the full absolute or relative path to the Java executable, not just to the Java home directory.

• The -vm option must occur before the -vmargs option, since everything after -vmargs is passed directly to the JVM.

• For the 32-bit Eclipse executable (eclipse.exe on Windows) a 32-bit JVM must be used and for the 64-bit Eclipse executable a 64-bit JVM must be used. 32-bit Eclipse will not work with a 64-bit JVM.

-vm value for Windows:

-vm
C:\jdk1.8.0_21\bin\javaw.exe 

-vm value for Linux:

 -vm
/opt/sun-jdk-1.8.0.02/bin/java

Solution for REASON 03

You have might have special characters like #, !, @  in eclipse installation directory. That is, if  your eclipse installation address contains any special characters, then it shows that error. So make sure you don’t have any special characters.

Example:

Before fixing special character

C:\# IDE\eclipse 3.7\

Have you noticed that “#” character?

After fixing that special character in address

C:\IDE\eclipse 3.7\

and that solved the problem.

Solution for REASON 04

Java version installed in your computer and the eclipse recommended/supported version could be different and not compatible.
Check eclipse readme file to find out which version it supports.