IntelliJ - Error:java: release version 5 not supported

A common error in IntelliJ when attempting to run a new Java maven project is Error:java: release version 5 not supported.

Here are 3 techniques to resolve this. Try them in order. If one doesn't resolve the issue, try the next.

1. Update Java Compiler

• Go to IntelliJ IDE menu item (or File on Windows) -> Preferences -> Build, Execution, Deployment -> Java Compiler

• Delete value under Target bytecode version, then click OK

  

• Refresh maven

  

• Try running again. If problem persists, continue on to number 2 below

2. Update SDK Version

• Go to File -> Project Structure -> Project Settings -> Project. Make sure you have the correct Java version selected. It should be the same as the one you downloaded

• Also on this same panel, go to Platform Settings -> SDKs. Make sure you have the correct Java version selected

• Click OK

• Refresh maven

  

• Try running again. If problem persists, continue on to number 3 below

3. Add property to pom.xml

• Within IntelliJ, open pom.xml file

• Add this section before <dependencies> (If your file already has a <properties> section, just add the <maven.compiler...> lines below to that existing section):
  

   <properties> 
      <maven.compiler.source>1.8</maven.compiler.source> 
      <maven.compiler.target>1.8</maven.compiler.target> 
   </properties>

• Change the x in 1.8 to your Java version. For example, if you’re using Java 13, change 1.8 to 1.13

• Refresh maven

• Try running again

Comments

[execptionerror]

[Already Solved] Error:java: error: release version 5 not supported in IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate

[Collins Uzebu]

There are many great answers here. If you imported your maven project from spring initializr, make sure the project is set to your your java version. In my case Java 16.

Goto File > Project Structure > Modules
Select the project folder, next change the Language level to your Java version, apply and click OK.

[Karl Heinz Marbaise]

Just a small hint. For JDK9+ you have to use 9 or 10 etc. instead of 1.X cause 1.X does not exist for JDK9+.

So for JDK13 you have to use 13 instead of 1.13...

[Anurag Pandey]

Thanks a lot!

[cherylleoni]

Step 3 worked like a charm for me. Thank you!

[Olga Maciaszek-Sharma]

Nice tip with the Java Compiler setup. Thanks.

[Cameron Pavey]

For me, adding the property to pom.xml saved the day. Thanks for sharing!

[Richard Kollár]

Thank you Angie, the last step worked for me.

[duka_pa]

Thx Angie..... the third solution worked for me. Tried all of them but finally success with the third one. Thx

[Osama sheikh]

Thank you :)
very much helpful.

[sabbaghov007]

Thank you!

[jEy84]

How can I Fixx this ???????

[Joe Wood]

Thank you, Angie. New to Maven and new to IntelliJ; option 3 did it for me.

[Diana0303]

thank you so much! you really saved me

[Mohammad Saad]

Thanks, step 2 fixed mine. Thank you very much.