IntelliJ IDEA Cannot Resolve Symbol

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Reload the build project

   Copy steps
   1. Maven: click the Sync Maven Changes icon or use Reimport All Maven Projects in the Maven tool window
   2. Gradle: click Reload All Gradle Projects in the Gradle tool window
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Check the project SDK

   Copy steps
   1. Open File | Project Structure | Project Settings | Project
   2. Select a JDK or use Add JDK from disk
   3. Click Apply
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Mark the right source roots

   Copy steps
   1. In the Project tool window right-click the folder
   2. Choose Mark Directory as | Sources Root (or Test Sources Root)
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Enable annotation processing

   Copy steps
   1. Open Settings | Build, Execution, Deployment | Compiler | Annotation Processors
   2. Enable annotation processing and install the Lombok plugin if you use Lombok
   3. Re-import the project
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Invalidate caches

   1. Open File | Invalidate Caches and choose Invalidate and Restart
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Classes, methods or imports are underlined red although the project builds from the command line.

Why it happens

• Maven or Gradle project not reloaded after changing pom.xml/build.gradle
• Dependencies failed to download
• Wrong or missing project SDK
• Source folder not marked as a source root
• Stale caches or indexes
• Annotation processors (Lombok, MapStruct) not enabled

This guide also covers

• intellij cannot resolve symbol
• intellij red code but compiles
• cannot resolve symbol intellij maven
• intellij cannot resolve method

Other JetBrains IntelliJ errors

• IntelliJ IDEA Indexing Takes Forever
• IntelliJ IDEA High Memory Usage
• IntelliJ IDEA Slow or Freezing
• IntelliJ IDEA Maven Import Failed
• IntelliJ IDEA Gradle Sync Failed
• IntelliJ IDEA JDK Not Found or Invalid
• IntelliJ IDEA License or Activation Error
• JetBrains AI Quota Exceeded in IntelliJ IDEA