# An overlay's strategic merge patch fails with "failed to find unique target for patch". What is the usual cause?

Kustomize, Medium (Advanced), Troubleshooting. https://k8wiz.com/uquiz/an-overlays-strategic-merge-patch-fails-with-failed-to-find-unique-target-for-patch-what-is-the-usual-cause

- A. The patch file is listed under resources in the overlay instead of under patches
- B. The patch's apiVersion, kind or name doesn't match any resource in the build
- C. Patches can only target resources defined in the same file
- D. The base hasn't been applied to the cluster yet

**Answer:** The patch's apiVersion, kind or name doesn't match any resource in the build

**Explanation:** A strategic merge patch finds its target by apiVersion, kind and name. A typo, a different API group, or a resource the base doesn't actually include leaves the patch with nothing to change. Run kustomize build on the base to see the names it produces.