Cannot choose boot runtime JRE (keeps resetting to system default)
I use IntelliJ Community Edition on multiple systems and the CachyOS one is the only one where I face the problem that I cannot change the JRE.
On startup the IDE asks me:
Please consider switching to the bundled Java runtime that is better suited for the IDE (your current Java runtime is 21.0.9+10 by Arch Linux at '/usr/lib/jvm/java-21-openjdk').
I do want to use the bundled JRE, so I open “Choose Boot Runtime for the IDE” and select Jetbrains JBR.
The download works, the path is set correctly and I am being told to restart the IDE.
When I check ~/.config/JetBrains/IdeaIC2025.2/idea.jdk it says:
/home/user/.jbr/jbr_jcef-21.0.8-linux-x64-b1038.73
I verified that the path there is valid and accessible, containing:
openjdk 21.0.8 2025-07-15
OpenJDK Runtime Environment JBR-21.0.8+9-1038.73-jcef (build 21.0.8+9-b1038.73)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM JBR-21.0.8+9-1038.73-jcef (build 21.0.8+9-b1038.73, mixed mode, sharing)
But when I restart the IDE, it keeps asking me to please consider switching and I can't use JCEF, Swing being the only option available.
When I reopen “Choose Boot Runtime for the IDE” it reset to “Current: 21.0.9 unknown”
The same project is running fine with JCEF and the bundled JRE on my Mint and Windows machines and I see the same behavior for all projects on the CachyOS machine.
I'm sure I am missing something obvious, but I'd appreciate any input on this.
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Raven The Gray , may I know how you install the IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition? Have you downloaded the JBR alone via JBR GitHub repository?
Please try the way here: https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/?section=linux
Thank you Jerome Guan, that did solve my problem.
I installed IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition using Pacman before, which apparently caused the problem, though I still don't understand why.
It seems your issue with IntelliJ on CachyOS not retaining the bundled JBR runtime stems from a system-specific configuration rather than an IDE bug. Even though your
idea.jdkfile correctly points to the JBR path, IntelliJ likely reverts due to permission issues, Wayland compatibility problems, or a corrupted runtime download. Try resetting file permissions on~/.jbrandidea.jdk, clearing IntelliJ caches, or addingidea.jre.path=/home/user/.jbr/jbr_jcef-21.0.8-linux-x64-b1038.73to youridea.propertiesfile. You can also manually reinstall JBR or force IntelliJ to use X11 instead of Wayland by launching it withGDK_BACKEND=x11 idea.sh. This should help IntelliJ detect JBR and re-enable JCEF properly. Maintaining consistent Java runtimes across systems is also crucial, especially if you’re developing performance-heavy applications like 3 Patti Land, where runtime differences can impact stability and rendering.It seems like IntelliJ on CachyOS keeps reverting to the system JDK even after selecting the bundled JRE. Check if the JBR directory has the right permissions and ensure no conflicting
JAVA_HOMEenvironment variables are set. Also, try updating IntelliJ or resetting its settings if the issue persists. In the meantime, you could take a break and watch a Teen Patti Show for some fun while troubleshooting!It sounds like IntelliJ on CachyOS just keeps ignoring your bundled JBR even though everything looks correctly installed, which is pretty frustrating. Usually this happens when the system JDK overrides the IDE’s settings or when permissions/cache block the switch, so double-check that nothing is forcing
/usr/lib/jvmas default and try clearing IntelliJ’s cache or the whole config folder. On other systems it works fine, so the issue is likely specific to how CachyOS handles Java paths. It’s a bit like when you try to switch modes in Card Rummy but the app keeps pulling you back to the default setting — everything seems right, yet it still won’t stick.It sounds like IntelliJ is still picking up the system JRE despite the idea.jdk entry. Try removing
idea.jdk, restart, then re-select the bundled JBR — or install the JetBrains JRE package from your repo so the IDE can detect it properly. That solved it for me on CachyOS. Hope it helps — 3Patti Boss.Sounds like something on your system keeps overriding the runtime setting at startup—maybe a config permission issue or a script resetting it. Worth checking if anything rewrites that file on launch. NetMirror