"Extension X failed to load" in VS Code typically indicates issues during activation, such as corruption, version mismatches, missing dependencies, or conflicts. 1) First, check the extension's Marketplace page and release notes for known issues or required dependencies; consider installing an older version if needed. 2) Reinstall the extension via the Extensions panel, and ensure all extensions are updated, especially after major VS Code updates. 3) Clear the extension cache by deleting its folder in the extensions directory, then reload or restart VS Code. 4) Test for conflicts by launching VS Code in Safe Mode using code --disable-extensions, and enable extensions one by one to identify problematic ones. Addressing these areas usually resolves the error.

If you're seeing the "Extension X failed to load" error in VS Code, it usually means something went wrong when trying to activate or run that particular extension. The issue could be due to a corrupted installation, version mismatch, missing dependencies, or conflicts with other extensions. Fortunately, most of these are fixable with a few straightforward steps.

Check for Extension-Specific Issues

Sometimes the problem is on the extension developer's side — like an update that didn't roll out cleanly or a bug introduced in the latest version. Before diving into system-wide fixes:

• Look at the VS Code Extensions Marketplace page for that specific extension. See if there are any recent complaints or known issues.
• Check the release notes for recent updates. There may be breaking changes or migration steps required.
• If you see errors related to missing dependencies, try installing them manually (especially for extensions that rely on native modules).

You can also try installing an older version of the extension if available — just click the three dots next to the Uninstall button and choose "Install Another Version."

Reinstall or Update the Extension

A common cause of this error is a faulty installation. Try removing and reinstalling the extension:

1. Open the Extensions panel (Ctrl Shift X or Cmd Shift X on Mac).
2. Find the problematic extension.
3. Click Uninstall.
4. Restart VS Code.
5. Go back and reinstall the extension.

Also, make sure all your extensions are up to date. VS Code auto-updates by default, but sometimes manual intervention helps, especially after a major VS Code update.

If you're using VS Code Insiders, some extensions might not work properly unless they have a version compatible with the Insiders build.

Clear Extension Cache and Reload

Corrupted cache files can prevent extensions from loading correctly. You can manually clear the cache:

• On Windows:
  Navigate to %USERPROFILE%\.vscode\extensions and delete the folder related to the problematic extension.
• On macOS/Linux:
  Go to ~/.vscode/extensions and do the same.

After deleting, restart VS Code and reinstall the extension.

You can also try reloading or restarting VS Code:

• Use the command palette (Ctrl Shift P) and select Developer: Reload Window.
• Or completely close and reopen VS Code.

Check for Conflicts or Run in Safe Mode

Extensions can conflict with each other, especially if you have several large toolkits installed (like Prettier, ESLint, Python, etc.). To test if that’s the case:

• Launch VS Code in Safe Mode by running this from your terminal or command prompt:

  code --disable-extensions

• Then try enabling the problematic extension one at a time to see if it works without others loaded.

If it loads fine in Safe Mode, go through your list of installed extensions and disable them one by one to find the culprit.

Also, check whether the extension supports your current workspace type — some don’t work in remote environments (like WSL or SSH) unless specifically designed for it.

That’s about it. Most "extension failed to load" issues come down to install problems, outdated versions, or extension conflicts. Start with the simplest fix — reinstalling — and move to deeper troubleshooting if needed.

The above is the detailed content of How do I fix 'extension X failed to load' in VS Code?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!