How to Restart VSCode Extensions: Complete Guide

When Visual Studio Code extensions stop working correctly, restarting them is often the fastest solution. Whether you're dealing with language servers that have frozen, linters that aren't updating, or theme changes that won't apply, knowing how to properly restart VSCode extensions is an essential skill for every developer.

Understanding Extension Issues in VSCode

Extensions in VSCode can sometimes become unresponsive due to memory leaks, conflicting updates, or resource constraints. Unlike the main editor, extensions run in separate processes, which means they can fail independently without crashing the entire application. Common symptoms include:

• Language features (autocomplete, syntax highlighting) stopping
• Linters or formatters not responding
• Theme or UI changes not applying
• Extension commands not executing
• Performance degradation in specific features

Method 1: Using Developer Tools (Most Common)

The built-in Developer Tools provide the most straightforward way to restart individual extensions:

1. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P)
2. Type "Developer: Show Running Extensions"
3. Press Enter to open the Extension Host Process panel
4. Locate the problematic extension in the list
5. Click the "Restart Extension Host" button

This method is particularly useful when you need to target a specific extension without affecting others.

Method 2: Reloading the Entire Window

When multiple extensions are misbehaving or you're unsure which one is causing issues:

1. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P)
2. Type "Developer: Reload Window"
3. Press Enter or click the command

Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) and search for the reload command.

Power User Tip: You can add this to your keybindings.json for quick access:

Method 3: Disable and Re-enable Extensions

For persistent extension issues, a disable/re-enable cycle can resolve deeper problems:

1. Click the Extensions view icon in the Activity Bar
2. Find the problematic extension
3. Click the "Disable" button
4. Wait a few seconds
5. Click the "Enable" button

This method forces VSCode to completely reload the extension with a fresh state.

Extension-Specific Restart Commands

Some extensions provide their own restart mechanisms. For example, Python and JavaScript/TypeScript extensions often include:

Python Extension:

TypeScript/JavaScript: Open Command Palette and search for "TypeScript: Restart TS Server"

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

Mistake 1: Restarting VSCode completely when only extension restart is needed

• Solution: Use the Developer Tools method first to save time

Mistake 2: Not checking extension compatibility

• Solution: Verify your VSCode version matches extension requirements in the VSCode Marketplace

Mistake 3: Ignoring extension conflicts

• Solution: Disable extensions one by one to identify conflicts

Mistake 4: Not updating extensions regularly

• Solution: Keep extensions updated through the Extensions view

Advanced: Programmatic Extension Management

For developers working with VSCode extensions, you can programmatically trigger restarts:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will restarting extensions cause me to lose work? A: No, restarting extensions doesn't affect your open files or unsaved changes. Only the extension functionality is reset.

Q: How often should I restart my extensions? A: Only when you encounter issues. Most extensions run reliably for extended periods.

Q: Can I automate extension restarts? A: While not natively supported, you can create keybindings or use the VSCode API for custom automation scripts.

Q: What's the difference between reloading window and restarting extensions? A: Reloading the window restarts all extensions and the entire VSCode UI, while extension-specific restarts only affect the targeted extension.

Q: Why do extensions need restarting in the first place? A: Extensions can have memory leaks, encounter unexpected states, or conflict with other extensions or system resources.

Conclusion

Knowing how to restart VSCode extensions is crucial for maintaining a smooth development workflow. The three main methods—using Developer Tools, reloading the window, and disable/re-enable—cover most scenarios you'll encounter. Remember to check the official VSCode documentation for the latest extension management features and best practices.