JetBrains/intellij-community · error · IllegalStateException

build.manager.launch.build.process.failed.to.find.compatible.jdk.found.too.old

build.manager.launch.build.process.failed.to.find.compatible.jdk.found.too.old

Error message

The build process requires JDK {2} or newer, but the highest JDK in this project is {0}. Install a JDK {2}+ in the project''s environment ({1}) and add it in File | Project Structure | Platform Settings | SDKs.

What it means

Error "The build process requires JDK {2} or newer, but the highest JDK in this project is {0}. Install a JDK {2}+ in the project''s environment ({1}) and add it in File | Project Structure | Platform Settings | SDKs." thrown in JetBrains/intellij-community.

Source

Thrown at java/compiler/impl/src/com/intellij/compiler/server/BuildManager.java:1269

      .filter(p -> p.second != null)
      .orElse(null);
  }

  private static @NotNull Pair<Sdk, JavaSdkVersion> getIDERuntimeSdkOrErrorIfRemote(
    @NotNull Project project, int requiredFeatureVersion, @Nullable Pair<@NotNull Sdk, @NotNull JavaSdkVersion> highestRejected
  ) {
    if (!EelProjectUtils.isProjectLocal(project)) {
      var environmentName = EelProviderUtil.getEelDescriptor(project).getName();
      var rejectedSdk = highestRejected == null ? null : highestRejected.first;
      LOG.info("Failed to find compatible JDK for the build process. Required JDK " + requiredFeatureVersion + "+" +
               ", environment: " + environmentName +
               ", highest rejected: " + (rejectedSdk == null ? "<none>" :
                                         rejectedSdk.getName() +
                                         " (version=" + rejectedSdk.getVersionString() +
                                         ", home=" + rejectedSdk.getHomePath() + ")") +
               ". " + describeAvailableJdks(project));
      if (rejectedSdk != null) {
        throw new IllegalStateException(JavaCompilerBundle.message(
          "build.manager.launch.build.process.failed.to.find.compatible.jdk.found.too.old",
          rejectedSdk.getName() + " (" + rejectedSdk.getVersionString() + ")", environmentName, requiredFeatureVersion));
      }
      else {
        throw new IllegalStateException(JavaCompilerBundle.message(
          "build.manager.launch.build.process.failed.to.find.compatible.jdk.required.version",
          environmentName, requiredFeatureVersion));
      }
    }
    @SuppressWarnings("removal")
    var sdk = JavaAwareProjectJdkTableImpl.getInstanceEx().getInternalJdk();
    return new Pair<>(sdk, JavaSdk.getInstance().getVersion(sdk));
  }

  private static @Nullable Pair<@NotNull Sdk, @NotNull JavaSdkVersion> pickHigherJdk(
    @Nullable Pair<@NotNull Sdk, @NotNull JavaSdkVersion> a,
    @Nullable Pair<@NotNull Sdk, @NotNull JavaSdkVersion> b
  ) {

View on GitHub (pinned to be881553f2)

Solutions

1. Install a JDK of the required version or newer on the machine.
2. Register it under File | Project Structure | Platform Settings | SDKs and set it as the project or module SDK.

Example fix

Install JDK 21, then File | Project Structure | SDKs | + | Add JDK -> select its home, and set Project SDK to it.

When it happens

Trigger: The build is configured to run with a newer Java language level or bytecode target than any JDK available in the project.

Common situations: A project using Java 17+ features opened in an environment where only an older JDK (e.g. JDK 8 or 11) is configured.

AI-assisted analysis of JetBrains/intellij-community@be881553f2 (2026-08-14). Data as JSON: /api/errors/983d38119e491b2e. Report an issue: GitHub.