Though only when everything is correctly synced, GitHub Copilot is a strong AI assistance functioning effortlessly in your development environment. You might have seen Copilot syncing problems if you were switching between your work PC and your home laptop. No suggestions appearing, settings not transferring, or your IDE behaving as though Copilot isn’t even installed?
These issues are typical in a multi-device configuration. Fortunately, most can be rectified with a few changes to your configuration, GitHub account, and cloud sync settings. Resolving device sync problems and making sure Copilot functions well on all your computers is covered in this article step by step.
Common Causes of Copilot Syncing Issues
Before diving into the fixes, let’s understand what typically goes wrong:
- GitHub authentication inconsistencies across devices
- Missing or misconfigured Copilot extension/plugin
- IDE-specific settings not synced through the cloud
- Different versions of your IDE or Copilot
- Network/firewall policies blocking cloud connectivity
Let’s solve these one by one.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Copilot Syncing Issues
Step 1: Check GitHub Login Consistency
Copilot syncs through your GitHub account. If you’re signed in with different credentials on each device, syncing won’t work.
- Go to Account > Sign In with GitHub in your IDE
- Ensure the same GitHub account is used across all devices
- Confirm your Copilot subscription is active
📌 Tip: Check https://github.com/account to confirm active plans and linked emails.
Step 2: Sync Your IDE Settings (VS Code and JetBrains)
Your IDE settings determine how Copilot functions on each device. Make sure settings sync is turned on:
For VS Code:
- Go to Settings > Turn on Settings Sync
- Sync extensions, settings, and UI preferences
- Sign in with the same Microsoft or GitHub account
For JetBrains (IntelliJ, PyCharm, etc.):
- Go to File > Settings Repository or use JetBrains Account Sync
- Enable sync for plugins, themes, and configuration files
🛠️ If syncing is off, the Copilot plugin may behave differently across machines.
Step 3: Ensure Copilot Is Installed and Updated on Each Device
Even if the plugin is installed on one device, it won’t automatically appear on another unless synced.
- Open the Extensions tab or Plugins section
- Search for GitHub Copilot
- Click Install, then Restart your IDE
📌 Copilot requires VS Code v1.57+ or JetBrains IDEs 2021.2+
Step 4: Verify Cloud Sync Isn’t Being Blocked
Corporate networks or misconfigured firewalls can block cloud sync and Copilot’s API.
- Ensure access to these domains:
- github.com
- api.github.com
- copilot-proxy.githubusercontent.com
- github.com
If needed:
- Disable VPNs temporarily
- Use a personal hotspot to test syncing
Step 5: Manually Sync Settings Across Devices
If automatic sync fails, use these methods:
- Export Settings from one IDE and Import on another
- Use a cloud storage folder (e.g., OneDrive, Dropbox) to share config files
- Backup settings.json (VS Code) or JetBrains .idea/ directories
Step 6: Re-authenticate Copilot on All Devices
Sometimes authentication tokens expire or fail to sync properly.
- Go to Copilot Settings
- Click Sign Out > then Sign In again using GitHub
- Repeat on all devices
This refreshes the OAuth token and resolves hidden device sync problems.
Still Not Working? Try These Fixes
If your multi-device setup still isn’t syncing:
- Clear cache and reinstall Copilot on all devices
- Remove and re-add GitHub Copilot from your GitHub Apps section
- Reset your IDE’s settings sync and reconnect from scratch
Pro Tips for Smooth Cloud Syncing
- Always update your IDEs and plugins across all machines
- Avoid using different IDE vendors (e.g., VS Code on one device, JetBrains on another)
- Regularly sign in to GitHub and verify your Copilot plan
- Use GitHub Settings > Authorized Apps to monitor connected sessions
Conclusion: Keep Copilot in Sync Across Every Device
From managing cloud settings to configuring authentication tokens, syncing Copilot across multiple devices takes a few careful steps. Once properly set, your coding suggestions, preferences, and extensions should work seamlessly whether you’re coding at the office or on your couch.
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