Neo4j Desktop on Mac Fails to Create or Start Local DB – Java Download Fails with SSL Error

Neo4j Graph Platform
1

I'm trying to use Neo4j Desktop (macOS, M1 chip) to create and run a local database instance for development and Python integration. However, every time I create a new database instance, the process appears to start, then silently fails — the database does not appear in the project list, and the Neo4j Browser at http://localhost:7474/browser is inaccessible.

Key errors from logs:

Could not find nor download compatible Java runtime.
Error: RequestError: unable to get local issuer certificate


Java distribution not found at /Users/<user>/Library/Application Support/neo4j-desktop/Application/Cache/runtime/zulu21.40.17...


(dbmsInstall) <mydb>|2025.07.1 Downloading Java distribution Error: RequestError: unable to get local issuer certificate

What I’ve Tried:

  • Installed Java 17 using Homebrew:

    brew install openjdk@17

  • Verified JAVA_HOME is correctly set:

    export JAVA_HOME=/opt/homebrew/opt/openjdk@17/libexec/openjdk.jdk/Contents/Home

  • Launched Neo4j Desktop via terminal (to inherit env vars):

    open -a "Neo4j Desktop"

  • Confirmed JAVA_HOME inside Developer Tools Console:

    process.env.JAVA_HOME  // is undefined

  • Removed all cached databases and reinstalled Neo4j Desktop cleanly

System Info:

  • macOS version: (e.g., macOS Sequoia 15.0.1)

  • Neo4j Desktop version: 2.x (latest as of Aug 2025)

  • Java version: OpenJDK 17 (Homebrew-installed) Or 11 which also failed

  • Chipset: Apple Silicon (M1)

Request:

I need help with one of the following:

  1. How to force Neo4j Desktop to use my system-installed Java 17 (and not attempt to download Zulu)

  2. Any known workarounds to successfully create and run a local database instance on Apple Silicon when this error occurs

Thanks in advance — I’ve been stuck for a few days and appreciate any insight!