Why Does My Idea IntelliJ Not Allow Me to Create a Project Using Java 11?

If you’re struggling to create a Java 11 project in IntelliJ IDEA, you’re not alone! This article will dive into the possible reasons behind this issue and provide step-by-step solutions to get you back on track.

The Problem: IntelliJ IDEA Won’t Create a Java 11 Project

Imagine this: you’ve just downloaded the latest version of IntelliJ IDEA, excited to start working on your new Java project. You fire up the IDE, click on “Create New Project,” and select Java as the project type. But, when you try to choose Java 11 as the SDK, you’re met with an error message or a blank screen. Frustrating, right?

Reason 1: Outdated IntelliJ IDEA Version

One of the most common reasons why IntelliJ IDEA won’t allow you to create a Java 11 project is that your IDE version is outdated. Java 11 support was introduced in IntelliJ IDEA 2018.3, so if you’re running an older version, you won’t be able to use Java 11.

Check your IntelliJ IDEA version:

Help > About

If your version is older than 2018.3, update to the latest version:

Help > Check for Updates

Reason 2: Incompatible Java Version

Another possible reason is that your system’s default Java version is not compatible with Java 11. Make sure you have Java 11 installed on your system and set as the default:

Check your system's Java version:

java -version

If you don’t have Java 11 installed, download and install it from the official Oracle website:

https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk11-downloads-5066655.html

Set Java 11 as the default version:

sudo update-alternatives --config java

Reason 3: Corrupted Project Structure

Sometimes, a corrupted project structure can prevent IntelliJ IDEA from creating a new Java 11 project. Try deleting the `.idea` directory and re-creating the project:

rm -rf .idea

Then, recreate the project:

File > New > Project...

Reason 4: Incorrect Project SDK

Make sure the project SDK is set to Java 11:

File > Project Structure > Project SDK

Select Java 11 as the project SDK:

SDKs > + > Java SDK > /path/to/jdk-11

Solution: Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Java 11 Project in IntelliJ IDEA

Now that we’ve covered the possible reasons behind the issue, let’s walk through the steps to create a Java 11 project in IntelliJ IDEA:

1. Launch IntelliJ IDEA and click on “Create New Project.”

2. Select “Java” as the project type and click “Next.”

3. Choose “Java 11” as the project SDK and click “Next.”

4. Select the project template (e.g., “Java” or “Web”) and click “Next.”

5. Enter the project name, location, and other details, and click “Finish.”

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some extra tips to help you work with Java 11 in IntelliJ IDEA:

• Use the latest version of IntelliJ IDEA to ensure compatibility with Java 11.

• Make sure you have the Java 11 SDK installed on your system and set as the default.

• Use the `–release` flag to specify the Java version when compiling and running your project:

  javac --release 11 YourJavaFile.java
  

• Take advantage of IntelliJ IDEA’s built-in support for Java 11 features, such as var, switch expressions, and more:

  // Using var keyword
  var list = new ArrayList<String>();
  
  // Using switch expressions
  String result = switch (value) {
      case 1 -> "One";
      case 2 -> "Two";
      default -> "Unknown";
  };
  

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve covered the common reasons why IntelliJ IDEA might not allow you to create a Java 11 project and provided step-by-step solutions to overcome these issues. By following these instructions and tips, you should be able to create and work on Java 11 projects in IntelliJ IDEA without any hiccups.

Remember to keep your IntelliJ IDEA version and Java installation up to date to ensure compatibility and take advantage of the latest features and improvements.

Reason	Solution
Outdated IntelliJ IDEA Version	Update to the latest version
Incompatible Java Version	Install Java 11 and set as default
Corrupted Project Structure	Delete .idea directory and recreate project
Incorrect Project SDK	Set Java 11 as the project SDK

Happy coding with Java 11 and IntelliJ IDEA!

Frequently Asked Question

IntelliJ IDEA is one of the most popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) for Java development, but sometimes it can be finicky. Here are some frequently asked questions about why your IntelliJ IDEA might not be allowing you to create a project using Java 11.