Kotlin Plugin Not Compatible with Android Studio

If you’re seeing the error message “Kotlin Plugin Not Compatible with Android Studio,” you’re not alone. This issue commonly occurs when the Kotlin plugin version is out of sync with the Android Studio version. Here’s how you can quickly solve it and get back to coding without delays.

Why This Happens

The Kotlin plugin is updated independently of Android Studio. When you update Android Studio, it may not automatically install a compatible version of the Kotlin plugin. This leads to plugin conflicts and compatibility issues that can prevent your IDE from functioning correctly.

Solutions You Can Try

1. Update Kotlin Plugin Manually
   Go to Preferences > Plugins > Kotlin and click Update if available. Restart the IDE after updating.
2. Update Kotlin Gradle Plugin
   In your project’s build.gradle (Project level), update the Kotlin plugin version:

   buildscript {
       ext.kotlin_version = '1.9.0'
       ...
   }

3. Reinstall Kotlin Plugin
   If updating doesn’t help, try uninstalling the Kotlin plugin from Android Studio and reinstalling it.
4. Check Compatibility Matrix
   Always check the official compatibility chart to ensure you’re using a Kotlin version compatible with your Android Studio version.
5. Downgrade Kotlin or Android Studio (Temporary Fix)
   If you’re in the middle of a project and can’t update immediately, consider downgrading to a compatible version.

Preventing Future Issues

• Avoid beta or Canary versions of Android Studio for production development.
• Always read release notes before updating Android Studio or Kotlin.
• Use version control so you can roll back changes when needed.

By following these steps, you can fix the Kotlin plugin compatibility issue and ensure a smoother development experience.