MSDN Documentation

Windows Terminal Troubleshooting

This guide provides solutions to common issues encountered while using Windows Terminal. We'll cover startup problems, rendering glitches, profile configuration errors, and more.

1. Windows Terminal Fails to Launch

If Windows Terminal does not open when you try to start it, consider the following:

• Check for Updates: Ensure you have the latest version of Windows Terminal installed. You can update it from the Microsoft Store.
• Corrupted Settings: Your settings.json file might be corrupted. Try resetting it to default:

  wt --reset-settings

  Note: This will reset all your custom settings. Back up your configuration before proceeding.
• Conflicting Software: Antivirus or other security software might be interfering. Temporarily disable them to see if the issue persists.
• Event Viewer: Check the Windows Event Viewer for application errors related to Windows Terminal.

2. Performance Issues and Lag

Slow performance or stuttering within the terminal can be frustrating. Here are some steps to diagnose and resolve these issues:

• GPU Acceleration: Ensure GPU acceleration is enabled. This is usually on by default, but can be toggled in the Settings UI. If you have a problematic GPU driver, disabling it might help.
• Font Rendering: Certain complex fonts or font fallbacks can impact performance. Try a simpler, monospaced font like Cascadia Code or Consolas.
• Number of Tabs/Panes: Having a very large number of open tabs or panes can consume significant resources. Close unnecessary ones.
• Background Processes: Check Task Manager for any processes that might be consuming high CPU or memory, especially if they are related to your shell or running applications within the terminal.

3. Command Palette Not Appearing

The command palette (Ctrl+, or Shift+Ctrl+P) is a core feature. If it's not showing up:

• Keyboard Shortcut Conflicts: Ensure no other application or your system's keyboard shortcuts are overriding the default ones.
• Application Focus: Make sure Windows Terminal itself has focus when you press the shortcut. Click inside the terminal window.
• Corrupted Installation: If all else fails, consider uninstalling and reinstalling Windows Terminal.

4. Profile Configuration Errors

Incorrectly configured profiles are a common source of problems, such as shells not starting or commands not executing as expected.

• Path to Executable: Verify that the commandline property in your profile's JSON points to the correct executable (e.g., "cmd.exe", "powershell.exe", "wsl.exe").
• Starting Directory: Ensure the startingDirectory is valid. Use absolute paths or relative paths with care.
• Environment Variables: Check if any custom environment variables are incorrectly set or causing conflicts.
• Syntax Errors in settings.json: JSON is sensitive to syntax. Use a JSON validator or code editor with JSON linting to check your settings.json file for missing commas, braces, or incorrect quoting.

5. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Integration Issues

Problems with WSL distributions within Windows Terminal:

• WSL Installation: Ensure WSL and your desired Linux distribution are correctly installed and functional outside of Windows Terminal. Run wsl --status in Command Prompt or PowerShell.
• Distribution Registration: Verify that your WSL distribution is registered with Windows Terminal. It should appear as an option in the dropdown menu or when configuring profiles.
• Update WSL: Run wsl --update to get the latest WSL kernel.

6. General Troubleshooting Steps

• Restart Windows Terminal: Often, a simple restart can resolve transient issues.
• Restart Your Computer: A full system reboot can clear up many underlying problems.
• Check the Official GitHub Repository: The Windows Terminal project is open-source. Visit the Windows Terminal GitHub repository to search for existing issues or report new ones.