Markdown plugin features missing: No preview or formatting in .md files

Problem

After updating a JetBrains IDE (for example, PhpStorm or IntelliJ IDEA) to 2026.1, the bundled Markdown plugin appears non-functional:

• The split view / preview option is unavailable in the editor.
• No syntax highlighting or formatting is applied to .md files.
• Only plain text editing is available, with no Markdown-specific features.
• The plugin is shown as enabled under Settings | Plugins.

Cause

The .md file extension is not associated with the Markdown file type under Editor | File Types | Recognized File Types. Without this association, .md files are treated as plain text, and Markdown features (preview, syntax highlighting, formatting toolbar) are not activated.

Resolution

1. Open Settings (Ctrl+Alt+S on Windows/Linux, ⌘, on macOS).
2. Navigate to Editor | File Types.
3. Select Markdown in the Recognized File Types list.
4. In the File name patterns section, verify that *.md (and any other Markdown extensions used in projects, such as *.markdown) is listed.
5. If the pattern is missing, click the + button and add it.
6. Click Apply and reopen the Markdown file.

The editor will display the Markdown preview toggle, syntax highlighting, and formatting toolbar.

Note: Sometimes re-adding the .md entry will fix the issue.

Additional information

If the Markdown file type is missing entirely from the list, verify that the Markdown plugin is installed and enabled under Settings | Plugins. See Managing plugins for details.