GitHub A strong artificial intelligence tool called Copilot helps programmers produce code more quickly and intelligently. But what if you are all ready to go and yet nothing occurs? Especially if you’re relying on its recommendations to accelerate your productivity, Copilot not appearing in your IDE can be quite annoying.
This step-by-step tutorial will assist you in resolving plugin visibility problems, changing IDE settings, and diagnosing plugin configuration issues so that Copilot becomes completely functional once more—regardless of your IDE.
Common Reasons Why Copilot Is Not Showing Up
Before jumping into fixes, it’s helpful to understand what might be going wrong:
- Plugin not installed correctly
- Plugin is disabled or hidden in UI
- Incorrect IDE settings
- Conflicting extensions or themes
- Issues with plugin configuration
- Incomplete GitHub authentication
- Compatibility problems with the IDE version
Fixing “Copilot Not Showing Up” in Visual Studio Code
Step 1: Confirm the Plugin Is Installed
Start by verifying that GitHub Copilot is installed:
- Open VS Code
- Go to View > Extensions
- Search for GitHub Copilot
- If it’s not installed, click Install
- If already installed, ensure it’s Enabled
📌 Tip: An installed but disabled plugin can cause Copilot to vanish from the UI.
Step 2: Check Plugin Visibility in Command Palette
Even if the plugin is active, it may not be showing in the interface:
- Press Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS) to open the Command Palette
- Type “Copilot” to see if GitHub Copilot commands appear
- If nothing shows, the plugin visibility might be blocked by another extension or theme
Step 3: Adjust IDE Settings
Incorrect IDE settings may prevent Copilot from showing up or activating:
- Go to Settings > Extensions > GitHub Copilot
- Ensure the plugin is enabled for the file types you’re working with
- Confirm the setting Copilot: Enable is checked
🛠️ Also, ensure that code suggestions are enabled in the editor settings (auto-complete, IntelliSense, etc.)
Step 4: Verify GitHub Authentication
Copilot won’t work unless you’re properly signed into GitHub with the right permissions:
- Click on your account in the bottom-left corner
- Select Sign in with GitHub
- Make sure you’ve granted the necessary scopes during login
- You must have an active Copilot subscription
Step 5: Run VS Code in Admin Mode (Windows Only)
Sometimes plugin configuration doesn’t apply correctly without admin privileges:
- Right-click the VS Code icon
- Select Run as Administrator
- Reopen your workspace and check for Copilot activation
Step 6: Disable Conflicting Extensions
Other extensions can interfere with Copilot:
- Go to Extensions > Installed
- Temporarily disable other AI-based plugins (like TabNine or Kite)
- Disable custom themes that modify IntelliSense or auto-complete behavior
- Restart VS Code
Fixing Copilot Not Showing Up in JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.)
Step 1: Check Plugin Installation
- Go to Settings > Plugins
- Search for GitHub Copilot
- Click Install, and restart the IDE
If already installed:
- Ensure the plugin is enabled (checkbox ticked)
Step 2: Verify Plugin Configuration
Misconfigured plugin settings can block Copilot:
- Navigate to Settings > Tools > GitHub Copilot
- Confirm that Copilot is enabled
- Make sure it’s set to work with your current project or file type
Step 3: Confirm Plugin Visibility
Even when installed, Copilot might not be actively running in the editor:
- Try typing simple function headers and see if suggestions appear
- Check the status bar for Copilot status (Connected / Disconnected)
- Open Tools > GitHub Copilot and select Enable Suggestions
Step 4: Check for IDE Compatibility
Older versions of JetBrains IDEs might not support Copilot:
- Go to Help > About
- Make sure your IDE version is 2021.2 or newer
- Update via JetBrains Toolbox if needed
Step 5: Authenticate and Link GitHub
- Go to Settings > Tools > GitHub Copilot
- Click Sign in
- Complete the GitHub login flow in your browser
- Ensure your account has an active Copilot subscription
What to Do If Copilot Still Doesn’t Show Up
If you’ve tried all of the above and Copilot is still not showing up, try the following:
- Reinstall the IDE (back up settings and projects first)
- Reinstall GitHub Copilot Plugin from scratch
- Create a new test project to see if the issue is project-specific
- Contact GitHub Support for advanced diagnostics
Pro Tips to Keep Copilot Working Smoothly
- Regularly update your IDE and extensions
- Keep your GitHub login active and token refreshed
- Avoid using multiple code assistants simultaneously
- Check Copilot’s status at https://www.githubstatus.com if issues persist
Conclusion: Get Copilot Back on Your Coding Runway
Having Copilot not showing up in your IDE is annoying, but usually fixable. By tweaking the right IDE settings, checking plugin visibility, and reviewing your plugin configuration, you’ll have Copilot back in action in no time—ready to assist your next big project.
Need Expert Help with Copilot or IDE Setup? Trust TechNow
Whether you’re facing plugin configuration nightmares or need help with GitHub Copilot integration, TechNow is here to help. As Germany’s most trusted IT support agency, we provide expert solutions for developers, teams, and companies alike.
👉 Contact TechNow today and let us help you get Copilot and your IDE flying in sync—seamlessly and reliably.
