Set NLS_LANG to UTF8

Check and set your NLS_LANG environment variable:

  1. Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop, then click Properties.

  2. Click the Advanced tab, then click Environment Variables.

  3. In User Variables and System Variables, check if there is a variable named NLS_LANG.

  4. If there is an NLS_LANG variable, highlight it and click Edit.

  5. Set the variable value to UTF8; for example: AMERICAN_AMERICA.UTF8

If you do not have the NLS_LANG environment variable, change your registry settings:

  1. Click Start, then Run.
  2. In the Run window, enter regedit and click OK.
  3. Locate one of the following registry key entries:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE

    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE\HOMEx

      where x is the unique number identifying the Oracle home

  4. Add a new key named NLS_LANG with a value including UTF8; for example:
    NLS_LANG=AMERICAN_AMERICA.UTF8