How do I Reset VS Code Settings If Something Goes Wrong?

Learn how to reset VS Code settings to default. Fix configuration issues by clearing custom settings, disabling extensions, and reinstalling VS Code if necessary.

Introduction

If VS Code is not working correctly due to misconfigured settings, conflicting extensions, or broken configurations, resetting to default settings can resolve many issues. This guide explains how to reset VS Code settings while preserving your workspace.

Step 1: Reset VS Code Settings via Command Palette

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + P (macOS) to open the Command Palette.
  • Type “Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)” and select it.
  • Delete all custom settings inside settings.json and save the file.
  • Restart VS Code to apply default settings.

Step 2: Reset Keybindings

  • If keybindings are not working correctly, reset them by opening the Command Palette and selecting “Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts (JSON)”.
  • Delete all custom keybindings and save the file.
  • Restart VS Code.

Step 3: Disable or Remove Extensions

  • Conflicting extensions can cause issues in VS Code.
  • To disable all extensions, open the Command Palette and select “Disable All Installed Extensions”.
  • If the issue is resolved, re-enable extensions one by one to identify the problematic one.

Step 4: Clear VS Code Cache and Data

  • To remove cached data and refresh VS Code, delete the following folders: 
    # Windows
C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Roaming\Code

    
# macOS
~/.vscode
    

    
# Linux
~/.config/Code
  • Restart VS Code after deleting these files.

Step 5: Reinstall VS Code

  • If all else fails, uninstall VS Code completely and reinstall it from code.visualstudio.com.
  • Ensure you remove all configuration files before reinstalling.

Final Thoughts

Resetting VS Code settings can resolve many issues related to misconfigurations, broken extensions, and corrupted cache files. If problems persist, reinstalling VS Code ensures a fresh start.

Next Step: This concludes the Debugging & Error Fixes category of Q&A. For users who want to integrate APIs, use remote development, or optimize performance proceed to our next guide: How do I install and use the OpenAI Python package?.

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