Confluence throws Null pointer exception when loading the dashboard and using Custom Dashboards plugin
Platform Notice: Data Center Only - This article only applies to Atlassian products on the Data Center platform.
Note that this KB was created for the Data Center version of the product. Data Center KBs for non-Data-Center-specific features may also work for Server versions of the product, however they have not been tested. Support for Server* products ended on February 15th 2024. If you are running a Server product, you can visit the Atlassian Server end of support announcement to review your migration options.
*Except Fisheye and Crucible
Summary
Confluence starts however, it fails to load the dashboard and throws a System Error with a null pointer exception. This error appears in the UI after Confluence starts and you cannot login to the application.
Environment
Confluence Server and Datacenter
Custom dashboard plugin 3.0.2
Diagnosis
In the error stack trace when accessing Confluence through the browser UI, we can spot this line:
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Cause
java.lang.NullPointerException
at com.simplenia.confluence.plugins.customdashboards.filter.GlobalDashboardFilter.doFilterWe can also find this error in the <confluence-home>/logs/altassian-confluence.log file:
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ERROR [http-nio-8090-exec-4] [ContainerBase.[Standalone].[localhost].[/]] log Unhandled exception occurred whilst decorating page
-- url: / | traceId: ba94be2d5cb34d88 | userName: anonymous
java.lang.NullPointerException
at com.simplenia.confluence.plugins.customdashboards.filter.GlobalDashboardFilter.doFilter(GlobalDashboardFilter.java:49)Cause
The issue is caused by an issue on the plugin Custom Dashboards for Confluence
Solution
In order to access Confluence, you'll need to temporarily disable or delete the simplenia app using this guide.
With the plugin disabled, update the offending plugin to the latest version (if using an older version).
If that doesn't help, remove/disable the offending plugin and contact the plugin vendor
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