VS Code: Copilot Error After Update - Request Failed

by Alex Johnson 53 views

Experiencing issues with GitHub Copilot after the latest VS Code update? You're not alone. Many users have reported similar problems, particularly with the error message "Sorry, your request failed. Please try again." This article dives into the details of this bug, its causes, and potential solutions.

The Issue: GitHub Copilot Failing After VS Code Update

After updating to the latest version of VS Code, some users are encountering persistent errors with GitHub Copilot. The error message typically reads: "Sorry, your request failed. Please try again." This issue seems to occur randomly, even with simple requests like sending a chat message containing only "test".

Here's a breakdown of the environment where this issue is happening:

  • VS Code Version: 1.106.0 (user setup)
  • Commit: ac4cbdf48759c7d8c3eb91ffe6bb04316e263c57
  • Date: 2025-11-11T16:02:25.943Z
  • Electron: 37.7.0
  • ElectronBuildId: 12597478
  • Chromium: 138.0.7204.251
  • Node.js: 22.20.0
  • V8: 13.8.258.32-electron.0
  • OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26100
  • GitHub Copilot Version: 1.388.0
  • Extension Version: 0.33.0

Error Details

The specific error details provided often include:

  • Copilot Request ID: A unique identifier for the failed request.
  • GH Request ID: Another unique identifier, possibly related to the GitHub backend.
  • Reason: Request Failed: 400

And a JSON payload like this:

{
  "error":{
    "message":"one or more attachments was not accessible",
    "code":"vision_attachment_not_accessible"
  }
}

This JSON indicates that the error might be related to Copilot's inability to access necessary attachments, possibly related to vision processing, even when no attachments are explicitly used.

Possible Causes

Several factors could be contributing to this issue. Let's explore some potential causes:

  1. Bug in the New VS Code Update: The most straightforward explanation is a bug introduced in the latest VS Code update (1.106.0) that affects the communication or integration with the GitHub Copilot extension. This could be due to changes in the VS Code API that Copilot relies on.
  2. Copilot Extension Compatibility: It's possible that the current version of the GitHub Copilot extension (1.388.0) is not fully compatible with the latest VS Code update. Extension developers often need time to adapt their extensions to new VS Code versions.
  3. Network Issues: Although less likely given the error message, intermittent network connectivity problems could potentially disrupt the communication between VS Code, the Copilot extension, and the GitHub servers. However, the specific error code vision_attachment_not_accessible suggests a different root cause.
  4. Resource Constraints: In some cases, resource constraints on your machine (CPU, memory) could lead to Copilot failing, especially if it's trying to process large amounts of code or data. However, the "test" message failing makes this less likely.
  5. Authentication Problems: Though less probable, there might be underlying authentication issues between VS Code and your GitHub account, causing Copilot to fail in its requests. Resetting the authentication might help.

Troubleshooting Steps and Potential Solutions

Here are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

  1. Restart VS Code: This is the simplest and often overlooked solution. Restarting VS Code can sometimes clear temporary glitches or refresh the extension environment.
  2. Reload the Copilot Extension: Try reloading the GitHub Copilot extension. You can do this by going to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X), finding GitHub Copilot, and clicking the reload button.
  3. Disable and Re-enable Copilot: Disabling and then re-enabling the Copilot extension can sometimes resolve conflicts or refresh its state. Similar to reloading, find the Copilot extension in the Extensions view, disable it, and then enable it again.
  4. Check Network Connectivity: Ensure that you have a stable internet connection. Try accessing other online services to verify your network is working correctly.
  5. Review VS Code Settings: Examine your VS Code settings for any configurations that might be interfering with Copilot. Look for settings related to extensions, network proxies, or security policies.
  6. Update VS Code and Copilot: Even if you're already on the latest VS Code version, check for updates to the GitHub Copilot extension. Sometimes, a newer version of the extension is released to address compatibility issues with the latest VS Code.
  7. Downgrade VS Code (Temporarily): If the issue persists and is significantly impacting your workflow, consider temporarily downgrading to a previous version of VS Code. You can download older versions from the official VS Code website. This can help determine if the problem is indeed related to the latest update. Remember to disable auto-updates to prevent VS Code from automatically updating again.
  8. Check GitHub Status: Verify the GitHub status page to see if there are any ongoing incidents or outages affecting GitHub Copilot. If there's a known issue on GitHub's end, you might need to wait for them to resolve it.
  9. Examine the VS Code Output Panel: Check the VS Code Output panel for any error messages or logs related to GitHub Copilot. This might provide more specific clues about the cause of the problem. Select "View" > "Output" and then choose "GitHub Copilot" from the dropdown menu.
  10. Review System Resource Usage: Keep an eye on your system's CPU and memory usage. If resources are consistently high, it could be contributing to Copilot's instability. Close unnecessary applications to free up resources.
  11. Reinstall VS Code: As a last resort, try completely uninstalling and reinstalling VS Code. This can help eliminate any corrupted files or configurations that might be causing the issue. Make sure to back up your settings and extensions before uninstalling.
  12. Check A/B Experiments: The A/B experiments listed in the original report might be influencing Copilot's behavior. While you can't directly control these, knowing they exist could be relevant if VS Code or GitHub support investigates the issue.

Digging Deeper: The "vision_attachment_not_accessible" Error

The error message "vision_attachment_not_accessible" is particularly intriguing. It suggests that GitHub Copilot is attempting to access some kind of attachment related to visual processing, even when you're just sending a simple text message. This could indicate:

  • Underlying Image Analysis: Copilot might be analyzing the surrounding code or UI elements for context, even if you're not explicitly working with images.
  • Bug in Attachment Handling: There could be a bug in how Copilot handles attachments, causing it to try to access non-existent or inaccessible attachments.
  • Misleading Error Message: It's possible that the error message is not entirely accurate and is simply a generic error code for a different underlying problem.

Reporting the Bug

If none of the above solutions work, it's essential to report the bug to Microsoft and GitHub. Here's how:

  • Create an Issue on the VS Code GitHub Repository: Go to the official VS Code GitHub repository and create a new issue, providing detailed information about the problem, including the VS Code version, Copilot version, error messages, and steps to reproduce the issue.
  • Contact GitHub Support: Reach out to GitHub support to report the issue with GitHub Copilot. Provide them with the Copilot Request ID and GH Request ID from the error message.
  • Participate in Existing Discussions: Check if there are already existing discussions or issues related to this problem. Add your information to the discussion to help the developers understand the scope of the issue.

Conclusion

The "Sorry, your request failed" error in GitHub Copilot after a VS Code update can be frustrating, but understanding the potential causes and troubleshooting steps can help you resolve the issue or provide valuable information to the developers. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of getting Copilot back up and running smoothly.

For more information about GitHub Copilot and its features, you can visit the official GitHub Copilot documentation. This resource provides comprehensive guidance on using Copilot effectively and troubleshooting common issues.