Overview

In this blog, we will explore 7 common scenarios where the @Transactional annotation in Spring Boot may not work as expected. We will also provide solutions to fix these issues and ensure that your transactions are managed correctly.

What is @Transactional in Spring Boot

Spring Boot developers often rely on the @Transactional annotation to handle database transactions seamlessly. But sometimes, you’ll notice that transactions don’t roll back, or the @Transactional seems to be ignored completely.

This happens due to Spring AOP (proxy-based mechanism) and certain pitfalls in usage. Let’s explore the top 7 scenarios where @Transactional won’t work in Spring Boot, along with fixes and best practices.

1️⃣ Same-Class Method Calls (Self-Invocation Problem)

Spring creates proxies around beans to manage transactions. When you call a transactional method from another method in the same class, the call bypasses the proxy → no transaction.

@Service
public class OrderService {

    @Transactional
    public void placeOrder() {
        savePayment(); // self-invocation
    }

    @Transactional
    public void savePayment() {
        // Transaction will not apply here
    }
}

✅ Fix:

• Move the method into another Spring-managed bean and call it via that bean.
• Or inject self-proxy using AopContext.

2️⃣ Private Methods

Spring AOP works only with public methods. If you mark a transactional method as private, the proxy cannot intercept it.

@Transactional
private void saveOrder() {
   // Won’t be transactional
}

✅ Fix:

• Keep transactional methods public.

3️⃣ Final or Static Methods

Spring uses dynamic proxies (JDK or CGLIB).

• final methods cannot be overridden → no proxying.
• static methods belong to the class, not the proxy → no interception.

@Transactional
public final void processOrder() { 
    ... 
} // Won’t work

✅ Fix:

• Avoid using final or static with transactional methods.

4️⃣ Exceptions Caught Internally

By default, @Transactional only rolls back on unchecked (runtime) exceptions. If you catch exceptions inside the method, Spring never sees them → rollback won’t happen.

@Transactional
public void updateAccount() {
    try {
        // risky code
    } catch (Exception e) {
        // rollback won’t happen
    }
}

✅ Fix:

• Re-throw exceptions.
• Or explicitly declare rollback rules: @Transactional(rollbackFor = Exception.class)

5️⃣ Calls Inside Constructors

Transactions are not active during bean initialization (constructors). If you call a transactional method inside a constructor, it won’t work.

@Service
public class PaymentService {

    public PaymentService() {
        processPayment(); // Not transactional
    }

    @Transactional
    public void processPayment() { ... }
}

✅ Fix:

• Don’t use transactional methods in constructors. Use @PostConstruct or call after bean initialization.

6️⃣ Wrong Transaction Manager (Multiple Datasources)

In multi-database applications, you may have multiple PlatformTransactionManagers. If the wrong manager is picked, transactions won’t apply correctly.

@Transactional("mysqlTransactionManager")
public void saveMySqlData() { ... }

✅ Fix:

• Always specify the correct transaction manager when using multiple datasources.

7️⃣ Non-Spring Managed Beans

If you create an object using new, it won’t be a Spring-managed bean → no proxy → no transaction.

public void processOrder() {
    PaymentService ps = new PaymentService(); // Not Spring bean
    ps.savePayment(); // @Transactional won’t work
}

✅ Fix:

• Always inject beans via Spring (@Autowired, constructor injection, etc.).

💡 Pro Tips

• 80% of issues happen because of self-invocation or exception handling mistakes.
• Always keep transactional methods public and invoked via Spring container.
• Use logging (TransactionSynchronizationManager.isActualTransactionActive()) to debug.

Why @transactional Annotation Matters in Spring Boot

• Ensures data consistency in microservices.
• Prevents half-committed transactions.
• Saves time debugging unexpected rollbacks.

Conclusion

Understanding the limitations of @Transactional in Spring Boot is crucial for building robust and reliable applications. While Spring provides powerful transaction management, certain scenarios like self-invocation, non-public methods, checked exceptions, proxy-based limitations, or improper propagation settings can prevent transactions from working as expected.

By being aware of these pitfalls and applying the right fixes—such as restructuring your code, using proper propagation, or leveraging AOP correctly—you can ensure that your transactional boundaries are respected, avoiding data inconsistencies and runtime surprises.

Mastering these nuances not only improves the stability of your applications but also strengthens your understanding of Spring’s transaction management, making you more confident in handling complex enterprise-level projects.