nuget 'NU1202: Package X is not compatible with net8.0' - how to fix

TL;DR

The package ships no assets for net8.0. Upgrade the package to a version that targets net8.0, or retarget the project to a framework the package supports. Then restore and build.

Error

nuget 'NU1202: Package X is not compatible with net8.0'  -  how to fix

Steps

1. Check what the package targets: inspect its framework list on the feed. Expected output: You see the frameworks it supports, for example net6.0 but not net8.0.

2. Check for a newer package version that added net8.0 support. Expected output: You know whether an upgrade path exists.

3. Upgrade the package to the supporting version, then dotnet restore. Expected output: Restore selects assets for net8.0.

4. If no supporting version exists, decide: retarget the project to a framework the package supports, or replace the package. Expected output: The project targets a framework the whole graph supports.

5. Build: dotnet build. Expected output: The build succeeds with compatible assets.

When to use

• Restore fails with NU1202 package X is not compatible with net8.0
• A project retargeted to net8.0 while a dependency never added support
• An old package version predates the target framework

When not to use

• The error is NU1101; the package version is missing from the feed
• The error is NU1605; the versions disagree, not the frameworks
• The package targets netstandard; that usually works, so look elsewhere

Variant phrasings

NU1202 after retargeting a project to net8.0

The retarget shape; audit every dependency for net8.0 assets.

Package supports net6.0 but the project needs net8.0

The gap shape; upgrade the package or retarget the project.

NU1202 for a transitive dependency

The direct reference is fine; a transitive package is the one lacking assets, so upgrade the parent.

Why it happens

NuGet packages carry per-framework asset folders, and restore picks the set matching your target framework. If the package never shipped net8.0 assets, there is nothing compatible to pick. Retargeting a project to a newer framework without checking the dependency graph is the classic trigger.

Edge cases

• netstandard2.0 packages are compatible with net8.0; NU1202 means the package targets something older or framework-specific.
• A package may support net8.0 only from a certain version onward; the fix is an upgrade, not a retarget.
• Multi-targeting the project (net6.0 and net8.0) needs every package to support both; check the full graph.

Provenance

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pstVRyfloY6hnHS6K4dsEcMQ

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pstVRyfloY6hnHS6K4dsEcMQ

Thread query: nuget 'NU1202: Package X is not compatible with net8.0' - how to fix

TL;DR: The package ships no assets for net8.0. Upgrade the package to a version that targets net8.0, or retarget the project to a framework the package supports. Then restore and build.