Dotnet –version gives ‘the folder [/usr/local/share/dotnet/host/fxr] does not contain any version-numbered child folders’

Why do I get the error “the folder [/usr/local/share/dotnet/host/fxr] does not contain any version-numbered child folders” when running `dotnet –version` on Mac?

This error typically occurs when there is a problem with the installation of the .NET SDK or runtime on your system. Specifically, the folder `/usr/local/share/dotnet/host/fxr` should contain version-numbered subfolders corresponding to installed .NET runtimes, and the error suggests that these folders are missing or incomplete.

Common Causes:

1. Corrupted or Incomplete .NET Installation:
This happens when the .NET runtime or SDK installation is incomplete or corrupted, resulting in missing files or folders.
2. Conflicting or Multiple .NET Versions: There may be multiple versions of .NET installed on your system, which could lead to issues with the runtime not being found correctly.

How do I resolve the error and fix my .NET installation?

You can follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Check Existing Installation:
First, verify whether the necessary .NET SDKs and runtimes are properly installed.
Use:
dotnet --list-sdks
dotnet --list-runtimes

If these commands also fail, it indicates a broader issue with the .NET installation.

2. Reinstall the .NET SDK and Runtime:
Uninstall the current version of .NET and reinstall it.

Uninstall .NET SDK and Runtime:
Remove the existing `.NET` installation from `/usr/local/share/dotnet`:
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/share/dotnet
sudo rm -rf /etc/dotnet
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/share/dotnet/sdk

Reinstall .NET:
Download and install the latest version of the .NET SDK from the official .NET website:
[Download .NET SDK](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet)

3. Check Permissions:
Ensure that the `/usr/local/share/dotnet` directory has the correct permissions, allowing the dotnet command to access the required files:
sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/share/dotnet

4. Verify Path Configuration:
Ensure that your system’s environment path is correctly configured to locate the `dotnet` command. You can check if `/usr/local/share/dotnet` is included in your `PATH` by running:
echo $PATH

If it’s missing, add it to your `.bash_profile`, `.zshrc`, or equivalent shell configuration file:
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/share/dotnet

5. Install Specific Version (Optional):
If you’re targeting a specific version of .NET, you can install that version explicitly using the appropriate installer from [here](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet).

How do I verify that the issue is fixed?

After reinstalling or fixing your environment:

– Run `dotnet –version` again to check if it displays the correct version.
– Run `dotnet –info` to verify the installation details, SDKs, and runtimes available on your system.

Can I install multiple versions of the .NET SDK?

Yes, you can have multiple versions of the .NET SDK and runtimes installed side by side. However, you need to ensure that they are properly configured, and your environment paths are set correctly to avoid conflicts.