python extension loading vscode

How would I fix the issue of the python extension loading and Extension activation failed messages appearing?

stackoverflow.com › questions › 72791043 › how-would-i-fix-the-issue-of-the-python-extension-loading-and-extension-activati

Please update the python extension to the latest version

or install the pre-release version directly. ( may be more useful to you )

this will basically solve your problem.

If the error continues, follow these steps:

Uninstall Python extension (if you have pylance uninstall it first). Uninstall any other extension that is failing.

Close all instances of VS Code.

Go to, %USERPROFILE%/.vscode/extensions (on windows) or ~/.vscode/extensions on Linux/Mac.

Delete any folder with the name starting with ms-python.python*

Start VS Code, and install Python extension (also pylance if you uninstalled it in step 1).

Answer from JialeDu on Stack Overflow

Stack Overflow

stackoverflow.com › questions › 72791043 › how-would-i-fix-the-issue-of-the-python-extension-loading-and-extension-activati

visual studio code - How would I fix the issue of the python extension loading and Extension activation failed messages appearing? - Stack Overflow

Top answer

1 of 3

Please update the python extension to the latest version

or install the pre-release version directly. ( may be more useful to you )

this will basically solve your problem.

If the error continues, follow these steps:

Uninstall Python extension (if you have pylance uninstall it first). Uninstall any other extension that is failing.

Close all instances of VS Code.

Go to, %USERPROFILE%/.vscode/extensions (on windows) or ~/.vscode/extensions on Linux/Mac.

Delete any folder with the name starting with ms-python.python*

Start VS Code, and install Python extension (also pylance if you uninstalled it in step 1).

2 of 3

I was having this issue and tried the above answer and it still didn't work. It turns out I hadn't installed python on my system yet. I didn't realize because I normally use it remotely.

From the VSCode documentation:

Quick start

Step 1. Install a supported version of Python on your system (note: that the system install of Python on macOS is not supported).

Step 2. Install the Python extension for Visual Studio Code.

Step 3. Open or create a Python file and start coding!

GitHub

github.com › microsoft › vscode-python › issues › 16026

"Python extension loading..." message lasts forever · Issue #16026 · microsoft/vscode-python

April 23, 2021 - I searched for this error and it was solved with newer version of the Python extension. Though, I have the newest versions installed and still have this problem. Environment data VS Code version: 1.55.2 Extension version (available under...

Author brkbrc

Discussions

Python extension loading...

Type: Bug Upgraded to last version today and have multiple notifications related to Python. The "Python extension loading..." never ends Extension version: 2022.20.1 VS Code version: Code - Insider... More on github.com

github.com

January 5, 2023

Gets stuck at "Python extension loading" then extension host crashes when `telemetry.enableTelemetry` is set to `false`

There's a few other mentions of this but no fixes so far. Environment data VS Code version: Noticed after upgrade to 1.52, kept happening after downgrade to 1.51. Extension version (available u... More on github.com

github.com

December 15, 2020

Unable to install python extension from visual studio code

I'm trying to add the python extension from the visual studio code, at the bottom right it says "Error while installing 'Python' extension. Please check the log for more details" - under it says "try to download manually" which sends… More on learn.microsoft.com

learn.microsoft.com

January 25, 2023

"Python extension loading..." message last forever

The "Python extension loading..." message at the bottom should disappear and the extension should be usable · The message last forever and the extension isn't usable · Install the Python extension NB : Also happens when launch as an administrator; after re-installing extension/vscode More on github.com

github.com

January 12, 2019

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reddit.com › r/vscode › python extension loading... forever

r/vscode on Reddit: Python extension loading... forever

September 16, 2021 -

FIX: I fixed it! turns out i didn't completely remove vscode from my pc, so i deleted the config and cache folders and reinstalled vscode and it works perfectly now! still curious as to what the hell caused it...

at the bottom left of vscode it keeps saying "Python extension loading" and it never finishes, i tried reinstalling all the extensions, updating vscode, rebooting the system, and disabling the other extensions one by one, but to no avail.

it was working fine before, any help would be appreciated!

EDIT: im using linux (kubuntu 20.04) and i can't do anything python related (run scripts, formatters not working...etc)

Top answer

1 of 1

I too ran into this today. None of the log files under '~/.config/Code/' give any indication as to what was going on with the extension. I eventually hit the "Do I really have to un/reinstall?!" I'm using Pop!_OS: From Pop_Shop I went to uninstall it, and was met with an error message that vscode didn't exist to uninstall. (weird). Nonetheless, after it failed it gave me the option to install vscode again. *click* Install. Nothing happened other than the option to install toggled back to uninstall. Now VS code is working, and I didn't have to re-add all my extensions. I did get an update for vscode just the other day -- could be related.

Visual Studio Code

code.visualstudio.com › docs › languages › python

Python in Visual Studio Code

November 3, 2021 - Windows Subsystem for Linux: If you are on Windows, WSL is a great way to do Python development. You can run Linux distributions on Windows and Python is often already installed. When coupled with the WSL extension, you get full VS Code editing and debugging support while running in the context of WSL.

Arch Linux Forums

bbs.archlinux.org › viewtopic.php

[SOLVED] VS Code, after upgrading: Python extension fails to load...? / Applications & Desktop Environments / Arch Linux Forums

January 3, 2023 - UPDATE: I found https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-python/issues/15445 and now understand that I should use the CONSOLE-stuff from Help > Toggle Developer Tools. This reveals: *** Extension activation failed, run the 'Developer: Toggle Developer Tools' command for more information.

GitHub

github.com › microsoft › vscode-python › issues › 20476

Python extension loading... · Issue #20476 · microsoft/vscode-python

January 5, 2023 - Type: Bug Upgraded to last version today and have multiple notifications related to Python. The "Python extension loading..." never ends Extension version: 2022.20.1 VS Code version: Code - Insiders 1.75.0-insider (79c4f9b, 2023-01-05T05...

Author stenaksel

GitHub

github.com › microsoft › vscode-python › issues › 14977

Gets stuck at "Python extension loading" then extension host crashes when `telemetry.enableTelemetry` is set to `false` · Issue #14977 · microsoft/vscode-python

December 15, 2020 - Value of the python.languageServer setting: Pylance · Message disappears and extension eventually loads. Message doesn't disappear, extension doesn't load, "Extension host terminated unexpectedly" message appears. Start VSCode · Select a python file to trigger the extension loading.

Author GSGBen

Find elsewhere

Google Bing Mojeek

Microsoft Learn

learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 1164245 › unable-to-install-python-extension-from-visual-stu

Unable to install python extension from visual studio code - Microsoft Q&A

Top answer

1 of 4

Try deleting the folder in .vscode\extensions\

2 of 4

Is this fixed yet in the year of our Lord 2025?

GitHub

github.com › microsoft › vscode-python › issues › 3967

"Python extension loading..." message last forever · Issue #3967 · microsoft/vscode-python

January 12, 2019 - The "Python extension loading..." message at the bottom should disappear and the extension should be usable · The message last forever and the extension isn't usable · Install the Python extension NB : Also happens when launch as an administrator; after re-installing extension/vscode

Author PROFeNoM

reddit.com › r/vscode › python extension loading issues

r/vscode on Reddit: Python Extension loading issues

April 22, 2021 -

I'm having a problem where the python extension has a very long loading time. I've tried unistalling and reinstalling but that hasn't worked. Any advice on what to do?

Top answer

1 of 1

Please have a look at this issue: Python extension loads very slowly: unresponsive. Try insiders version of the extension, and see if it helps with this issue. You can always download and install latest insiders build form here https://pvsc.blob.core.windows.net/extension-builds/ms-python-insiders.vsix .

GitHub

github.com › microsoft › vscode-python › issues › 10991

Stuck at Python extension loading... · Issue #10991 · microsoft/vscode-python

April 6, 2020 - Output for Python in the Output panel (View→Output, change the drop-down the upper-right of the Output panel to Python) ... Output from Console under the Developer Tools panel (toggle Developer Tools on under Help; turn on source maps to make any tracebacks be useful by running Enable source map support for extension debugging) configurationModels.ts:314 Conflict in settings file vscode-userdata:/home/robert/.config/Code/User/settings.json: Ignoring python.diagnostics.sourceMapsEnabled as python is "python3" (anonymous) @ configurationModels.ts:314 configurationModels.ts:314 Conflict in settings file vscode-userdata:/home/robert/.config/Code/User: Ignoring python.diagnostics.sourceMapsEnabled as python is "python3" (anonymous) @ configurationModels.ts:314 notificationsAlerts.ts:40 Extension activation failed, run the 'Developer: Toggle Developer Tools' command for more information.

Author robertknox

GitHub

github.com › microsoft › vscode-python › issues › 5599

Python extension does not load, stuck at `Python extension loading` · Issue #5599 · microsoft/vscode-python

May 10, 2019 - unfortunately this issue has not been completely fixed: I just updated to the latest vscode: Version 1.33.1 (1.33.1) and the "Python extension loading" has been stuck for the last 3 hours, and I am staring at my source code. None of the ...

Published May 10, 2019

Author cmartinio

Stack Overflow

stackoverflow.com › questions › 78886125 › vscode-python-extension-loading-forever-saying-reactivating-terminals

visual studio code - VSCode Python extension loading forever, saying “Reactivating terminals” - Stack Overflow

Top answer

1 of 11

143

These steps solved my issue:

Open VS Code Settings
search for Python Locator
switch from native to js.
restart the vs code

2 of 11

Same problem here...the link below solved it for me.

In VS Code, type Ctrl + Shift + P
Type Python: Clear Cache
Select option Python: Clear Cache and Reload Window

https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-python/issues/23922#issuecomment-2523255885

GitHub

github.com › microsoft › vscode-python › issues › 6687

"Python extension loading..." · Issue #6687 · microsoft/vscode-python

July 24, 2019 - Than restart VS Code & extension is not properly loaded. Output for Python in the Output panel (View→Output, change the drop-down the upper-right of the Output panel to Python)

Author tburd

Stack Overflow

stackoverflow.com › questions › 55843128 › vscode-with-python-extension-april-2019-python-extension-loading

visual studio code - VSCode with Python Extension April 2019 - "Python Extension Loading..." - Stack Overflow

Top answer

1 of 3

(Posted solution on behalf of the question author).

OK - I deleted the VS Code profile folder

'%APPDATA%\Roaming\Code

and installed fresh extension along with miniconda, and it is working fine.

2 of 3

This seems to be an annoying problem that is caused by other extensions. Best way I fixed mine was:

To disable all the extensions
Enable ms-python extension
Reload vs-code and voila, it's all fixed

Visual Studio Marketplace

marketplace.visualstudio.com › items

Python - Visual Studio Marketplace

March 27, 2026 - Extension for Visual Studio Code - Python language support with extension access points for IntelliSense (Pylance), Debugging (Python Debugger), linting, formatting, refactoring, unit tests, and more.

Stack Overflow

stackoverflow.com › questions › 67279257 › vscode-issue-python-extension-loading-forever

visual studio code - vscode issue, python extension loading forever - Stack Overflow

April 27, 2021 - https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-python/issues/3967 ... add a comment to issue 14977 if you still have the problem. Issue 3967 is over a year old and not likely to be relevant ... How would I fix the issue of the python extension loading and Extension activation failed messages appearing?

reddit.com › r/vscode › issues loading python extension

r/vscode on Reddit: Issues Loading Python Extension

September 2, 2020 -

I'm starting to mess around with python again in my free time and I'm having issues with the python extension. I only have 3 extensions installed. C#, PowerShell, & Python. All from Microsoft. I've uninstalled/reinstalled VS Code. I'm running 3.8.5 python.

When I try to add python (control + shift + p) it spins at loading the extension and comes back with reload, wait, or cancel. If you hit wait afew times, it will eventually load the python extension. The machine is an i7 4xxx, 32 gb of ram, ssd, ect.... I'm seeing no CPU, RAM, or Disk spikes during this time.

Has anyone seen anything like this before? Is there anything in the event viewer log that would help?

*** EDIT ***
I also tried it with the other extensions disabled.

Top answer

1 of 1

You can look into the OUTPUT panel, and choose these channels in the right drop-down list to get some helpful information: 'Python', 'Python Language Server', 'Extensions', 'Log(Shared)', 'Log(Extension Host)'. And click Help -- > Toggle Developer Tools --> Console Panel to get more information.

npm

npmjs.com › package › @vscode › python-extension

vscode/python-extension

August 13, 2025 - // Import the API import { PythonExtension } from '@vscode/python-extension'; ... // Load the Python extension API const pythonApi: PythonExtension = await PythonExtension.api(); // This will return something like /usr/bin/python const ...

      » npm install @vscode/python-extension

Published Aug 13, 2025

Version 1.0.6

Author Microsoft Corporation

Repository https://github.com/Microsoft/vscode-python

Homepage https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-python/tree/main/pythonExtensionApi

Stack Overflow

stackoverflow.com › questions › 65301647 › how-to-solve-the-problempython-extension-loading-in-visual-studio-code

How to solve the problem"Python extension loading..." in visual studio code? - Stack Overflow

Top answer

1 of 2

Note that telemetry.enableTelemetry as described in the original answer has been deprecated. Please use this instead:

"telemetry.telemetryLevel": "all|error|crash|off"

Original answer

Try to disable telemetry in the user settings:

"telemetry.enableTelemetry": false

2 of 2

Change back to an older version, I'm also having this issue, I switched back to the older version and now its fixed.