Java Exception "Error rendering template for decorator root" after switching Confluence theme
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
After switching the Confluence theme, all Confluence pages are not accessible anymore, and display an error instead.
Diagnosis
When loading any Confluence page, an error similar to the following is displayed:
Cause
java.lang.RuntimeException: Error rendering template for decorator root
at com.atlassian.confluence.setup.velocity.ApplyDecoratorDirective.render(ApplyDecoratorDirective.java:161)
caused by: java.lang.RuntimeException: Error rendering template for decorator page
at com.atlassian.confluence.setup.velocity.ApplyDecoratorDirective.render(ApplyDecoratorDirective.java:161)
caused by: org.apache.velocity.exception.ResourceNotFoundException: Unable to find resource '/labels/labels-include.vm'
at com.atlassian.confluence.util.velocity.ConfigurableResourceManager.loadResource(ConfigurableResourceManager.java:376)
Stack Trace:[hide]
java.lang.RuntimeException: Error rendering template for decorator rootLooking at the Confluence logs, at the moment the new theme was set, there may also be an error similar to this:
2020-03-12 16:06:09,749 ERROR [https-jsse-nio-443-exec-245] [[Standalone].[localhost].[/].[file-server]] log Servlet.service() for servlet [file-server] threw exception
-- referer: https://<base-url>/plugins/servlet/notifications-miniview | url: /s/a7s1ms/8301/1f37aa72eaac19bd0bed2ae0e7b3ada09c563331/2.0-rc1/_/download/resources/com.atlassian.confluence.themes.classic:classic/classic-theme.css | traceId: 158826b0aa74895b | userName: user
java.lang.RuntimeException: Cannot read resource /styles/classic-theme.cssCause
The theme that was activated is not present on the Confluence files, and the style files it's trying to load do not exist. This will cause Confluence to be unable to load any pages, as it's not able to find the necessary style files for the currently used theme.
Solution
Revert back to the Confluence default theme by doing the following:
Access Confluence's General Configuration page directly:
<your-Confluence-URL>/admin/viewgeneralconfig.actionChange the Confluence theme once more, back to the default theme
It's possible the theme is not working due to being an outdated Confluence theme from an earlier version, in which case it's possible to disable the plugin that provides it, in order to stop this problematic theme from being used:
Go to Confluence Administration > Manage Apps
Filter for All apps
Look for the plugin with the same name as that particular theme, and check if you can find it on the plugin list (doing a text search on the page could help)
If you're able to find it, Disable it
Was this helpful?