VS Code Extension Host Terminated Unexpectedly
Quick answer
This error means an extension crashed the process that runs all extensions. Restart the extension host, then disable or bisect extensions to find the one crashing it.
Most likely fix: Restart extensions
How to fix it
Try these in order — the most common fix is first.
1. Restart extensions
- Click Restart Extension Host in the popup or run Developer: Reload Window
Did this fix it?2. Find the culprit
- Open the Extensions view ... menu and run Extension Bisect
- Disable the extension it points to
Did this fix it?3. Check Developer Tools
- Run Help > Toggle Developer Tools
- Look in the Console for the extension name in the error
Did this fix it?4. Reinstall or roll back
- Uninstall the extension and reinstall, or install an older version from the gear menu
- Check memory with Process Explorer if it mentions heap out of memory
Did this fix it?
Symptoms
A popup says 'Extension host terminated unexpectedly' and extensions stop working until reload.
Why it happens
- A crashing extension
- Out of memory in the extension host
- Corrupted extension files
- Incompatible extension after a VS Code update
This guide also covers
- extension host terminated unexpectedly
- vscode extension host crashed
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