Copilot is not showing suggestions:

No ghost text appears as you type. Here is how to fix it.

Fix 1: Check Copilot is enabled

1. Open VS Code
2. Click Copilot icon in status bar
3. Ensure it says “Copilot: Active”

Or check settings:

// settings.json
{
  "github.copilot.enable": {
    "*": true,
    "plaintext": true,
    "markdown": true
  }
}

Fix 2: Re-authenticate

1. Click Copilot icon
2. Select “Sign Out”
3. Sign in with GitHub account
4. Ensure you have an active subscription

Fix 3: Check file type

Copilot may be disabled for certain files:

// settings.json
{
  "github.copilot.enable": {
    "*": true,
    "plaintext": true,
    "markdown": true,
    "scminput": false
  }
}

Fix 4: Disable conflicting extensions

Other extensions may interfere:

1. Open Extensions (Cmd+Shift+X)
2. Disable other AI extensions
3. Restart VS Code
4. Re-enable Copilot

Fix 5: Check network

Copilot needs internet:

# Test connection
ping api.githubcopilot.com

# Check proxy settings
# VS Code > Settings > Proxy

Fix 6: Clear Copilot cache

# macOS
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Code/User/globalStorage/github.copilot

# Restart VS Code

Fix 7: Use different model

Try switching models:

1. Click Copilot icon
2. Select “Change Model”
3. Try GPT-4o or Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Still not working?

1. Check GitHub status — githubstatus.com
2. Reinstall extension — Uninstall and reinstall Copilot
3. Check subscription — Ensure Copilot is active
4. Use Copilot Chat — May work even if completions don’t

FAQ

Why is GitHub Copilot not showing suggestions?

The most common causes are: Copilot is disabled in settings, your subscription has expired, or the file type is not supported. Check that Copilot is enabled in VS Code settings and that your GitHub account has an active subscription.

How do I enable Copilot in VS Code?

Go to Settings (Cmd+,), search for “copilot”, and ensure “GitHub Copilot: Enable” is checked for the file types you want. Also check the Copilot icon in the status bar to see if it is active.

Can I use Copilot for free?

GitHub Copilot has a free tier for verified students, teachers, and open source maintainers. For everyone else, it requires a paid subscription ($10/month for individuals, $19/month for business).

Related: GitHub Copilot Complete Guide · Cursor vs Copilot · Best AI Coding Tools 2026 · Claude Code Complete Guide