How to clean project cache in IntelliJ IDEA like Eclipse's clean?

JavaAndroidIntellij Idea

Java Problem Overview


Sometimes the IDE makes some error because of the cache. In Eclipse, we can use clean to solve the problem. How can I do this in IntelliJ?

Java Solutions


Solution 1 - Java

Depending on the version you are running. It is basically the same just go to
File -> Invalidate caches, then restart Intellij
or
File -> Invalidate caches / Restart

The main difference is that in older versions you had to manually restart as cache files are not removed until you restart. The newer versions will ask if you also want to restart.

Older versions Newer Versions

As seen here on this official Jetbrains help page


You can also try delete caches manually in the system folder for your installed version. The location of this folder depends on your OS and version installed.

Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10
<SYSTEM DRIVE>\Users\<USER ACCOUNT NAME>\.<PRODUCT><VERSION>

Linux/Unix
~/.cache/JetBrains/<product><version>

Mac OS
~/Library/Caches/<PRODUCT><VERSION>

Read this for more details on cache locations.

Solution 2 - Java

Maybe not THE answer, but it's definitely AN answer.

If nothing else is working for you, go the nuclear option: Close IDEA and delete the ".../.IntelliJIdea/system" directory using your local file system tools.

The .IntelliJIdea directory is usually found in your home directory. Your IDE configuration is in the ".../.IntelliJIdea/config" directory, so it should be fine.

Obviously, this is not the "IDEA" way to do it and would be completely unsupported by JetBrains. Also - I don't use Android Studio so I dunno if this will cause problems, but there you go.

It's worked for me before when I've had problems getting IDEA to start and nothing else works to get me going. Maybe back up your entire .IntelliJIdea directory if you have a morbid fear of losing all your work >.<

Solution 3 - Java

In addition to the .Intellij* files, and invalidating the cache, if you really want to clear everything out, then also delete the .idea folder and *.iml per-project files that IntelliJ also generates...

Solution 4 - Java

Try this:

Go into Settings (File > Settings or ctrl+alt+S). Under Project Settings, select the "Compiler" node. On the left, uncheck "Clear output directory on rebuild".

Note that this is a per project setting. If desired, change it in the project template settigs (Settings > Other Settings > Template Settings).

Solution 5 - Java

  1. File -> Invalide Caches (in IDE IDEA)

  2. Manually, got to C:\Users<user>\AppData\Local\JetBrains\IntelliJ IDEA \system\caches and delete

JetBrains: https://intellij-support.jetbrains.com/hc/en-us/articles/206544519-Directories-used-by-the-IDE-to-store-settings-caches-plugins-and-logs

Solution 6 - Java

Delete the "target" folder under the offending module. Then Build | Rebuild Project. Also make sure your clear the web browsers cache.

Solution 7 - Java

IntelliJ IDEA caches considerable amount of files for all projects that you have ever worked with in the IDE, hence the system cache may become overloaded.

Before you proceed, make note of these.

  • The caches will not be deleted until you restart IntelliJ IDEA.
  • Opening and closing a project without invalidating the cache does not result in deleting any cached files.
  • Local History is not deleted when you invalidate the cache unless you explicitly enable this option in the Invalidate Caches dialog.

You could do the following now via IDE to invalidate cache:

  1. From the main menu, select File | Invalidate Caches.

  2. In the Invalidate Caches dialog, Click Invalidate and Restart.

If you click Just restart, cache files won't be deleted.

You may have a look:

https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/invalidate-caches.html

Solution 8 - Java

Another solution was VCS -> Cleanup Project capture

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