Why is static analysis not working in IntelliJ IDEA

Static code analysis in IntelliJ IDEA can be disabled for several reasons, including incorrect analysis settings, plugin issues, or license limitations. To enable it, you need to check the analysis settings, ensure the necessary plugins are installed, and resolve conflicts with other tools.

Table of Contents

• Main reasons for disabling static analysis
• Step-by-step enabling of static analysis
• Checking plugins and configuration
• Solving license and version issues
• Additional troubleshooting methods

Main reasons for disabling static analysis

Static code analysis in IntelliJ IDEA can be disabled for the following reasons:

1. Incorrect analysis settings

• Analysis may be disabled globally for the project or for a specific file
• Settings may have been accidentally changed during work
• Some types of analysis may be disabled by default in certain project configurations

2. Plugin issues

• Missing necessary plugins for static analysis
• Conflicts between static analysis plugins and other tools
• Outdated plugin versions compatible with IntelliJ IDEA 2025.2

3. License limitations

• In Community Edition versions, some static analysis features are unavailable
• Issues with Ultimate Edition license in corporate environments

4. Technical issues

• Corrupted IDE configuration files
• Conflicts with other development tools
• Problems with project cache and indexing

As noted in the JetBrains documentation, static analysis is one of the key features of modern IntelliJ IDEA versions, and its disabling can significantly reduce development quality.

Step-by-step enabling of static analysis

To enable static code analysis in IntelliJ IDEA 2025.2, follow these steps:

1. Checking basic settings

1. Open the menu File → Settings (or IntelliJ IDEA → Preferences on macOS)
2. Go to the section Editor → Inspections
3. Make sure the Enable On-the-fly inspections option is enabled
4. Verify that the checks you need are checked

Important: Some checks may be grouped into categories. Make sure all necessary analysis groups are enabled.

2. Configuring analysis for a specific project

1. Open project settings: File → Project Structure
2. Go to the section Project Settings → Inspections
3. Make sure static analysis is enabled for the current project
4. Check that there are no restrictions on analyzing certain files or directories

3. Rebuilding project indexes

Sometimes static analysis doesn’t work due to indexing issues:

1. Open the menu File → Invalidate Caches / Restart
2. Select Invalidate and Restart
3. Wait for the IDE to fully restart
4. After restarting, rebuild the project: Build → Rebuild Project

As described in the article about working with GoLand, built-in static analysis identifies errors even before program execution, and its proper configuration is critically important for maintaining code quality.

Checking plugins and configuration

1. Required plugins

Make sure the following plugins are installed and enabled:

1. Built-in Code Quality Tools - built-in code quality analysis tools
2. Java Compiler - Java compiler for code analysis
3. Framework-specific plugins - plugins for frameworks you’re using

To check installed plugins:

1. Open the menu File → Settings → Plugins
2. Go to the Installed tab
3. Make sure the necessary plugins are active

2. Configuration of static analysis plugins

If you’re using additional static analysis tools:

1. Check plugin settings in Settings → Other Settings
2. Make sure the plugins are compatible with IntelliJ IDEA 2025.2
3. Check for conflicts between different analysis tools

As noted in the 2025 article on static analysis, modern static analyzers have high standards requirements and must be properly configured for effective operation.

Solving license and version issues

1. Checking Ultimate Edition license

Since you’re using IntelliJ IDEA 2025.2 Ultimate Edition, make sure that:

1. The license is active and valid
2. There are no restrictions on using static analysis
3. All necessary features are included in the license

To check the license:

1. Open the menu Help → Register
2. Make sure the license is confirmed
3. Check available features

2. Updating to the latest version

IntelliJ IDEA 2025.2.4, as mentioned in the official JetBrains blog, contains valuable fixes that can solve static analysis issues.

To update:

1. Open the menu Help → Check for Updates
2. Install available updates
3. After updating, restart the IDE

Additional troubleshooting methods

1. Checking project files

Sometimes problems are caused by project configuration:

1. Open the .idea/workspace.xml file
2. Make sure there are no disabled analysis settings
3. Check the integrity of configuration files

2. Creating a new test project

1. Create a new empty project
2. Add a simple Java file with errors
3. Check if analysis works in the new project

If analysis works in the new project, the issue is related to the original project’s configuration.

3. Temporarily disabling other plugins

Sometimes conflicts between plugins can disable static analysis:

1. Open Settings → Plugins
2. Disable all plugins except the essential ones
3. Restart the IDE and check if analysis works
4. Enable plugins one by one to find the conflicting one

As emphasized by the Mozilla Developer Network, proper configuration of development tools is critically important for efficient work, and static analysis is an integral part of the modern development process.

Sources

1. Working with GoLand — IDE from JetBrains
2. IntelliJ IDEA 2025.2.4 Is Out! | The IntelliJ IDEA Blog
3. IntelliJ IDEA Moves to the Unified Distribution | The IntelliJ IDEA Blog
4. PGMeetup.EKB 2025 in Yekaterinburg: autonomous AI agents, static code analysis, information security and PostgreSQL incidents
5. Software-update: IntelliJ IDEA 2025.4 - Computer - Downloads - Tweakers

Conclusion

1. The main reason for disabling static analysis - incorrect settings or plugin conflicts. Always check the basic analysis settings in Editor → Inspections.

2. Regular updating of IntelliJ IDEA is critically important for the proper functioning of all features, including static analysis. Version 2025.2.4 contains valuable fixes compared to 2025.2.

3. Clearing cache and rebuilding the project are effective methods for solving many static analysis issues, especially after IDE updates or changing settings.

4. Checking the Ultimate Edition license is necessary, as some static analysis features may be limited in the activated license.

5. Creating a test project helps determine whether the problem is global to the IDE or related to a specific project’s configuration.

If after all measures taken static analysis still doesn’t work, contact JetBrains support or check the documentation for your specific version of IntelliJ IDEA.