Common Reasons for GitHub Copilot Not Working in VS Code

When GitHub Copilot fails to provide code suggestions or assistance within Visual Studio Code, several underlying issues can be the cause. These typically involve problems with the GitHub account, the Copilot subscription, the VS Code extension itself, authentication with GitHub, network connectivity, or conflicts with other VS Code settings or extensions. Identifying the specific problem requires a systematic troubleshooting approach.

Verifying Subscription and Account Status

GitHub Copilot requires an active subscription or membership (e.g., GitHub Pro, GitHub Team, GitHub Enterprise Cloud with Copilot add-on). The first step in troubleshooting is confirming the account linked in VS Code has a valid Copilot subscription.

• Check GitHub Account: Access the GitHub account settings page in a web browser. Navigate to the "Copilot" section to confirm the subscription is active and assigned to the correct user.
• Organization Settings: If using Copilot through an organization, verify that the organization has enabled Copilot and assigned a seat to the specific user's GitHub account.

Checking and Reinstalling the VS Code Extension

The GitHub Copilot extension for VS Code is essential for functionality. Issues with the extension itself can prevent Copilot from working.

• Verify Installation: Open the Extensions view in VS Code (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X). Search for "GitHub Copilot". Ensure the extension is installed and enabled.
• Check for Updates: If installed, check if an update is available. Outdated extensions can have bugs. Update the extension if prompted.
• Disable and Re-enable: Sometimes, simply disabling and then re-enabling the "GitHub Copilot" extension (and the "GitHub Copilot Chat" extension if installed) can resolve temporary glitches.
• Reinstall: If disabling/re-enabling doesn't work, uninstall the "GitHub Copilot" extension from the Extensions view. Close and reopen VS Code, then reinstall the extension from the marketplace.

Addressing GitHub Authentication Issues

GitHub Copilot's functionality relies on authenticating with the GitHub account linked to the subscription. If VS Code is not correctly authenticated, Copilot will not work.

• Sign Out and Sign In: In VS Code, open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P) and search for "GitHub: Sign Out". Sign out of the GitHub account. Then, use the Command Palette again to search for "GitHub: Sign In" and follow the prompts to re-authenticate. Ensure the browser window used for authentication confirms successful sign-in and authorization for VS Code.
• Check Account Status Bar: The status bar at the bottom of the VS Code window often shows the signed-in GitHub user. Verify this matches the account with the Copilot subscription.
• Revoke and Re-authorize: In GitHub account settings (on the web), under "Authorized OAuth Apps", find "Visual Studio Code". Revoke its access. Then, go back to VS Code and use "GitHub: Sign In" from the Command Palette to re-authorize.

Investigating Network and Firewall Restrictions

GitHub Copilot communicates with GitHub's servers to provide suggestions. Network issues, firewalls, or proxy settings can block this communication.

• Check Internet Connection: Ensure a stable internet connection.
• Firewall/Antivirus: Local firewalls or antivirus software might block the connection VS Code needs to establish with the Copilot service. Temporarily disabling them (with caution) can help diagnose if this is the issue. Specific firewall rules may be needed to allow VS Code outbound connections related to GitHub and Copilot.
• Proxy Settings: If operating behind a corporate proxy, VS Code may need specific proxy settings configured. Check VS Code's network proxy settings (File > Preferences > Settings, search for "Proxy"). These settings might also need to be configured for the GitHub Copilot extension.
• Check GitHub Status: Occasionally, the GitHub Copilot service itself might experience outages. Check the official GitHub status page (status.github.com) for any reported incidents affecting Copilot.

Ensuring VS Code Compatibility and Updates

Using an outdated or unsupported version of VS Code can lead to compatibility issues with the latest Copilot extension.

• Check VS Code Version: Ensure VS Code is updated to a recent stable version. Use "Help > Check for Updates" or download the latest version from the official VS Code website.
• Minimum Requirements: Verify that the VS Code version meets the minimum requirements specified by the GitHub Copilot extension on its marketplace page.

Checking for Extension Conflicts

Other installed VS Code extensions might interfere with GitHub Copilot's functionality.

• Disable Other Extensions: As a diagnostic step, try temporarily disabling other extensions, particularly those related to code completion, suggestions, or language features in the same programming languages where Copilot is failing. Reload VS Code after disabling extensions. If Copilot starts working, re-enable other extensions one by one to identify the conflict.
• Workspace Trust: Ensure the workspace is trusted in VS Code, as some extensions' full functionality can be limited in untrusted workspaces.

Reviewing Copilot Output for Errors

VS Code provides output channels that can log errors or diagnostic information related to extensions.

• Open Output Panel: In VS Code, open the Output panel (Ctrl+Shift+U or Cmd+Shift+U).
• Select GitHub Copilot: In the dropdown menu in the Output panel's top right, select "GitHub Copilot" (or "GitHub Copilot Chat" if applicable). Review the logs for any error messages, connection failures, or authentication problems reported by the extension. This information can provide specific clues about the root cause.