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

[Jason Reed]

Maven by default always targets JRE 5. You should always configure the correct Java version as you have shown in the pom.xml

[Lars Opitz]

The proper solution for maven-based projects is to change the target version as shown by Angie in option 3. I added some background on the root cause and provided an additional example for spring boot projects and "plain" java projects here:

Proper solutions for error “java: release version 5 not supported”

Lars Opitz ・ Feb 16 ・ 4 min read

#java #intellij #troubleshooting #maven

[dopplerGit]

Yeah I had the same problem, Why don't the ItelliJ just add these things by itself.

Android studio is so nice to work with everything is auto.

[Ishwak Sharda]

By default, your "Project bytecode version isn't set in maven project.

It thinks that your current version is 5, so just go to "Project Settings>Build, Execution...>compiler>java compiler" and then change your bytecode version to your current java version.

Have a good day :)

[Matthew Ohrenberg]

This is what fixed mine. Thank you very much, sir.

[Bhavishay Mankani]

Thank you so much, it totally worked for me.

[lingzhixu6]

Wow works magically!

[Greg]

The third option worked. Thank you!

[Rafael Vidal]

Angie solution number 3 worked fine for me!
thanks Angie!

[Mario Felipe Nogueira de Almeida]

A terceira opção funcionou. Obrigado! The 3th option worked. Thanks.

[mobilevisuals]

It works!

[Bharath]

Thanks a lot Angie Jones, this helped me to solve my problem.

[nathanverrilli]

New to Maven, and this indeed bit me. Changing the targeted release in the POM file un-confused Intellij (per your option 3) -- thank you!

[pradhan41]

None of Angie's steps worked for me but setting build plugin in POM file like below worked for me .
"



org.apache.maven.plugins
maven-compiler-plugin
3.8.1

11
11

"

[theIOTman]

This problem usually happen when you create new project in InteliJ. To solve this problem you can follow this video step by step:
youtu.be/ijhk7eLbizM
Sorry for my bad english.

[gleidecn]

Thank you Angie so much!!! I loved your tips, my problem was on the pom.xml

[DoneGitIt]

Thanks! This works like a charm.