Home › Build error fixes › Android / Gradle

Broken symbolic link in node_modules

Android / Gradle · last reviewed 2026-11-10

The error looks like this

Could not list contents of '/Users/dev/app/node_modules/react-native/third-party/glog-0.3.4/test-driver'. Couldn't follow symbolic link.

Why it happens

Gradle walked into a link that points nowhere, usually after a failed or interrupted install.

How to fix it

Delete node_modules and install again.
With pnpm or a monorepo, make sure the Metro and Gradle config follow symlinks for your setup.

Not sure this is your error? Let ReleaseMedic read the whole log

Build logs are long and the last line is rarely the real cause. ReleaseMedic finds the first real error, explains it and gives the steps — free, and the log never leaves your computer.

$ npx releasemedic log build.log

Or pipe a build straight in: cd android && ./gradlew bundleRelease 2>&1 | npx releasemedic log -

Catch it before you build

Most release errors come from project settings you can check in seconds — signing, SDK levels, privacy manifests, permissions, push and login setup.

$ npx releasemedic