Software⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-05-31

How to Fix: Error:java: invalid source release: 8 in Intellij. What does it mean?

Invalid source release error in IntelliJ due to Java version mismatch.

Quick Answer: The error occurs when the project is set to use a newer Java version than the one used by the compiler. Try setting the project SDK to match the compiler version or updating the project to use a compatible Java version.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔧 How to Fix
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The error 'java: invalid source release: 8' in IntelliJ occurs when the Java version used for compilation is different from the one specified in the project's configuration. In this case, it seems like you are using an older version of Java (1.7.0_55) to compile your code, but your project is set to use a newer version (Java 8). This mismatch can cause issues with compilation.

🔧 How to Fix

  • Update your project's configuration to use the same Java version as you are compiling with.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Method 1: Update Project Configuration

  1. Step 1: Open your project's settings by clicking on the gear icon in the top right corner of the IntelliJ interface.
  2. Step 2: Navigate to 'Build, Execution, Deployment' > 'Compiler' and update the Java version to match the one you are compiling with.

✨ Wrapping Up

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'java: invalid source release: 8' error and successfully compile your code in IntelliJ.

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