The Mysterious Case of the Terminated Powershell Terminal in VSCode: Exit Code -1073741819

Are you tired of seeing the dreaded “Powershell terminal in VScode terminated with exit code: -1073741819” error message? Do you feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending loop of frustration and disappointment? Fear not, dear reader, for we’re about to embark on a thrilling adventure to solve this pesky problem once and for all!

The Culprits: Common Causes of the Error

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first identify the usual suspects behind this error. The following are some common causes of the “Powershell terminal in VScode terminated with exit code: -1073741819” error:

• PATH environment variable issues
• Corrupted VSCode settings or configurations
• Incompatible or outdated PowerShell versions
• -conflicting extensions or plugins
• System Resource constraints (e.g., low RAM or disk space)

Solution 1: Check and Update Your PowerShell Version

Outdated PowerShell versions can be a major contributor to this error. Let’s ensure we’re running the latest and greatest version:

1. Open a new PowerShell terminal outside of VSCode by searching for “PowerShell” in your Start menu (Windows) or Spotlight search (macOS).
2. Run the command $PSVersionTable.PSVersion to check your current PowerShell version.
3. Compare your version with the latest available version on the PowerShell Releases page.
4. If you’re not running the latest version, download and install the latest version from the official PowerShell website.

Solution 2: Reset VSCode Settings and Configurations

Sometimes, a simple resetting of VSCode settings can work wonders:

1. Open the VSCode Command Palette by pressing Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + P (macOS).
2. Type “Reset Settings” and select “Preferences: Open Settings (UI)” from the dropdown list.
3. In the Settings editor, click the three horizontal lines (⋯) next to the search bar and select “Reset Settings” from the dropdown menu.
4. Confirm that you want to reset all settings by clicking “Reset” in the popup dialog.

Solution 3: Investigate and Fix PATH Environment Variable Issues

The PATH environment variable plays a crucial role in VSCode’s ability to find and execute PowerShell. Let’s investigate and fix any potential issues:

On Windows:

1. Press the Windows key + Pause/Break to open the System Properties window.
2. Click on “Advanced system settings” on the left sidebar.
3. Click on “Environment Variables” at the bottom.
4. Under the “System Variables” section, scroll down and find the PATH variable, then click “Edit”.
5. In the “Edit Environment Variable” window, click “New” and add the following path: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0
6. Click “OK” to close all the windows.

On macOS (using the Terminal app):

1. Run the command echo $PATH to display the current PATH variable.
2. Check if the /usr/local/bin path is included in the output. If not, add it by running the command export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/bin.
3. Verify that the PATH variable has been updated by running echo $PATH again.

Solution 4: Disable Conflicting Extensions or Plugins

Sometimes, a rogue extension or plugin can cause PowerShell to terminate unexpectedly. Let’s try disabling them one by one to identify the culprit:

1. Open the VSCode Extensions panel by clicking the Extensions icon in the left sidebar or pressing Ctrl + Shift + X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + X (macOS).
2. Disable each extension one by one by clicking the toggle button next to each extension.
3. Restart VSCode and try running PowerShell again.
4. If the error persists, re-enable the last disabled extension and move on to the next one.

Solution 5: Check System Resource Constraints

Low system resources, such as RAM or disk space, can cause PowerShell to terminate unexpectedly. Let’s check our system resources:

On Windows:

1. Press the Windows key + Pause/Break to open the System Properties window.
2. Click on “Advanced system settings” on the left sidebar.
3. In the “System Properties” window, click on the “Advanced” tab.
4. Under the “Performance” section, click on “Settings”.
5. In the “Performance Options” window, check the “Virtual memory” and “Processor scheduling” settings.

On macOS:

1. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner and select “About This Mac”.
2. Click the “System Report” button.
3. In the “System Report” window, scroll down and select “Hardware” in the left sidebar.
4. Check the “Memory” and “Storage” sections to ensure you have sufficient resources.

Solution 6: Reinstall VSCode and PowerShell

If all else fails, it’s time to take drastic measures:

On Windows:

1. Uninstall VSCode from the “Add or remove programs” section in the Control Panel.
2. Uninstall PowerShell from the “Add or remove programs” section in the Control Panel.
3. Download and reinstall the latest version of VSCode from the official website.
4. Download and reinstall the latest version of PowerShell from the official website.

On macOS:

1. Uninstall VSCode by dragging the VSCode app to the Trash.
2. Uninstall PowerShell by running the command brew uninstall powershell in the Terminal app.
3. Download and reinstall the latest version of VSCode from the official website.
4. Download and reinstall the latest version of PowerShell using Homebrew by running the command brew install powershell.

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks! With these six solutions, you should be able to resolve the “Powershell terminal in VScode terminated with exit code: -1073741819” error and get back to coding in no time. Remember to troubleshooting methodically, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance.

Solution	Description
1	Check and update PowerShell version
2	Reset VSCode settings and configurations
3	Investigate and fix PATH environment variable issues
4	Disable conflicting extensions or plugins
5	Check system resource constraints
6	Reinstall VSCode and PowerShell

Remember, the key to resolving this error is patience and persistence. Don't give up, and you'll be coding like a pro in no time!

Frequently Asked Question

We’ve got some answers for you! Here are some frequently asked questions about the annoying “Powershell terminal in VScode terminated with exit code: -1073741819” error.