'Scene Builder' view is empty or missing for .fxml files in 2025.3 (JavaFX)

Problem 1: 'Scene Builder' tab/view is missing

1. You are using the free tier of the Unified Distribution (ex-Community edition)

2. `.fxml' files in your project are not recognized as JavaFX and look like plain text files (image below)

3. You don't see the Text and Scene Builder tabs at the bottom of the editor

   

Solution

The bug report to follow is JavaFX plugin is marked as 'Ultimate Only' in IDEA 2025.3 Unified Distribution (JavaFX plugin is marked as 'Ultimate Only' in 2025.3). It is fixed in a 2025.3 update and in IntelliJ IDEA 2026.1, so update the IDE first.

Problem 2: 'Scene Builder' view is empty

1. You are using the Ultimate subscription (paid tier) of the Unified Distribution
2. The JavaFX bundled plugin is enabled under Settings | Plugins
3. You see the Scene Builder tab at the bottom of the editor, but the view is empty when you click it

Solution

Try doing File | Invalidate Caches -> check first three boxes -> Invalidate & Restart.