Android Studio Not Recognizing Kotlin? (Aug 2025 Fix)

It sounds obvious, but it happens! An Android Studio update might have disabled the Kotlin plugin, or you might be running an incompatible version.

How to do it:

1. Open Settings / Preferences (Ctrl+Alt+S on Windows/Linux, Cmd+, on macOS).
2. Navigate to the Plugins section.
3. Go to the “Installed” tab and search for “Kotlin.”
4. Ensure the plugin is enabled. If it’s disabled, check the box and restart the IDE. Also, check if there’s an “Update” button available. A mismatch between the IDE version and the Kotlin plugin version can cause chaos.

Diving Deeper: Gradle and Plugin Configuration

If the quick fixes didn't work, it’s time to put on your detective hat and investigate your Gradle configuration. This is where the root cause often lies, especially if you've recently upgraded libraries or AGP (Android Gradle Plugin).

1. Verify Your `build.gradle.kts` Files

The core of your project's identity is defined here. Ensure the Kotlin plugin is applied correctly.

In your project-level `build.gradle.kts` (or settings.gradle.kts for centralized plugin management), you should have the Kotlin plugin defined:

// Top-level build.gradle.kts
plugins {
    id("com.android.application") version "8.5.0" apply false
    id("org.jetbrains.kotlin.android") version "1.9.23" apply false // <-- THIS IS CRUCIAL
    // ... other plugins
}

In your module-level `build.gradle.kts` (e.g., `app/build.gradle.kts`), you must apply the plugin:

// app/build.gradle.kts
plugins {
    id("com.android.application")
    id("org.jetbrains.kotlin.android") // <-- AND SO IS THIS
    // For compose
    id("org.jetbrains.kotlin.plugin.compose")
}

// ... rest of the file

A common mistake is having a version mismatch or forgetting to `apply false` in the root script.

2. The Silent Killer: Version Mismatches

This is the most complex but critical area. The Android Gradle Plugin, the Kotlin plugin, and the Jetpack Compose compiler are tightly coupled. A mismatch will break your build and confuse the IDE.

Here’s a compatibility table for a typical mid-2025 setup. Cross-reference these versions with what you have in your Gradle files.

Component	Location / Gradle Variable	Recommended Version (Aug 2025)	Notes
Android Gradle Plugin (AGP)	plugins { id("com.android.application") version "..." }	8.5.x	Defines the core Android build system.
Kotlin Plugin	plugins { id("org.jetbrains.kotlin.android") version "..." }	1.9.23+	Must be compatible with AGP.
Jetpack Compose Compiler	kotlinCompilerExtensionVersion in composeOptions	1.5.11+	Crucially linked to your Kotlin plugin version. Check the official Compose-to-Kotlin compatibility map.
JDK (Java Development Kit)	compileOptions and kotlinOptions	JDK 17	Set in your module's `build.gradle.kts` under `android { ... }`.

An incorrect kotlinCompilerExtensionVersion for your chosen Kotlin version is a frequent cause of IDE confusion.

The Nuclear Option: When All Else Fails

If you've checked everything above and Android Studio still refuses to cooperate, it's time for more drastic measures. This involves manually deleting files that the “Invalidate Caches” command might miss.

Warning: Before proceeding, ensure your project is backed up or committed to version control. Close Android Studio completely.

1. Manually Delete Caches and Project Metadata

1. Delete Project-Specific Files: Inside your project's root folder, delete the .idea directory and all .iml files. This removes all IDE-specific project settings and metadata. Also, delete the project's .gradle directory.
2. Delete Global Caches: Find and delete the global Gradle cache. This forces Gradle to re-download all dependencies. The location varies by OS:
   • Windows: C:\Users\<YourUsername>\.gradle\caches
   • macOS / Linux: ~/.gradle/caches
3. (Optional) Delete IDE System Caches: If you suspect the IDE itself is the problem, you can delete its system-level caches. Find the location via Help > Show Log in Files/Finder. The parent directories contain cache, config, and system folders. Deleting the `caches` folder here is a powerful reset.

2. Re-import the Project

After the cleanup, don't just open the project. Re-import it so Android Studio builds its understanding from a clean slate.

1. Open Android Studio.
2. From the welcome screen, choose Open.
3. Navigate to your project folder and select the root build.gradle.kts file (or the folder itself).
4. Let the IDE import and sync the project. This will take a while as it downloads all dependencies and re-indexes everything.

Preventing Future Headaches

Solving the problem is great, but preventing it is even better.

Adopt Gradle Version Catalogs

If you aren't already, start using a libs.versions.toml file. This centralizes all your dependency and plugin versions in one place, making it dramatically easier to manage compatibility and avoid the mismatches we discussed earlier. It turns a chaotic mess of versions scattered across multiple `build.gradle` files into a single, organized source of truth.

Be Cautious with Canary Builds

Canary and Beta versions of Android Studio, AGP, and Kotlin are fantastic for testing new features, but they are inherently unstable. For your main development work, try to stick to the stable release channels. If you do use a canary build, be prepared for issues like this to pop up more frequently.

Conclusion: Back to Building

An IDE that doesn't recognize its primary language can bring productivity to a grinding halt. However, the solution is usually a matter of systematically clearing out stale or corrupted state and verifying your configuration.

Always start with the simple things: Invalidate Caches and Restart and Sync Gradle. If the problem persists, dive into your build.gradle.kts files, paying close attention to plugin and library version compatibility. And if all else fails, a manual cache cleanup and project re-import will almost certainly solve it. With this checklist in hand, you're now equipped to diagnose and fix the problem quickly, getting you back to what matters most: building incredible Android applications.