IntelliJ IDEA: "cannot resolve symbol" for String, System and other Java classes

Question

I recently downloaded IntelliJ IDEA to a different computer. On one computer it works fine on the other computer it is giving me this current issue.

When i open a new project with a template it automatically shows errors everywhere even though it allows the code to run and shows the output correctly: standard Java library classes like String and System are highlighted in red and the error tooltip says: "cannot resolve symbol".

I have tried "Invalidate caches/Restart", but it didn't help.

Solution 1

Check the JDK configuration Classpath tab in Project Structure | SDKs:

Also check that project and modules use the same JDK.

If it's empty, remove the JDK and add it again. It's not recommended to use JetBrains Runtime as your JDK, download and configure some different standalone JDK instead, 2020.1 version can download JDK for you.

Important notice The bundled JRE is used for running the IDE itself, and it's not sufficient for developing Java applications. Before you start developing in Java, download and install a standalone JDK build.

Solution 2

I tried above, but no luck. I did get it working with File -> Invalidate Caches... I selected all three checkboxes and then "Invalidate and Restart". That worked for me.

Comments

[llewellyn falco]

we also had to delete the .idea folder