Troubleshooting Copilot Chat in WSL: Keeping Your Software Project Goals on Track

GitHub Copilot Chat is an invaluable AI assistant, boosting developer productivity and helping teams achieve their software project goals examples more efficiently. However, a common frustration arises when it suddenly stops working within a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) environment, often manifesting as "fetch failed" or "Chat took too long to get ready" errors. This community insight compiles the most effective solutions to get your Copilot Chat back on track in WSL.

The core of the problem often lies in the multi-layered nature of Copilot Chat's operation within WSL. It relies on a seamless interaction between the VS Code UI on Windows, a server component running inside your WSL instance, proper GitHub authentication, and reliable outbound HTTPS connectivity from WSL to GitHub's services. A breakdown in any of these layers can halt your AI assistant.

Common Causes & Solutions for Copilot Chat in WSL

1. Networking and DNS Configuration Issues

One of the most frequent culprits is WSL's inability to correctly resolve DNS or connect to external services, especially in corporate network environments.

• Check and Temporarily Fix WSL DNS:

  Your WSL instance might not be inheriting DNS settings correctly. In your Ubuntu terminal:

  cat /etc/resolv.conf
  

  If it's empty or incorrect, try Google's DNS temporarily:

  echo "nameserver 8.8.8.8" | sudo tee /etc/resolv.conf
  

  Then restart VS Code.

• Proper WSL DNS Configuration:

  For a more permanent fix, prevent WSL from generating resolv.conf automatically and set your own DNS. First, shut down WSL from Windows PowerShell (as Admin):

  wsl --shutdown
  

  Then, inside WSL:

  sudo tee /etc/wsl.conf <

  Restart VS Code and reconnect to WSL.

• Corporate Proxy / VPN / Zscaler:

  Corporate networks often interfere with SSL certificates. Add these settings to your VS Code Remote [WSL: Ubuntu] settings.json:

  {
    "http.proxySupport": "off",
    "github.copilot.advanced": {
      "debug.overrideProxyUrl": false
    }
  }
  

  Also, verify outbound HTTPS works inside WSL:

  curl https://api.github.com
  

  If this fails, Copilot Chat cannot connect.

• New WSL2 Mirrored Networking Mode:

  A recent fix involves configuring WSL2's networking mode. Add this to your .wslconfig file (located in your Windows user profile, e.g., C:\Users\YourUser\.wslconfig):

  [wsl2]
  networkingMode=Mirrored
  

  Then run wsl --shutdown and restart WSL.

2. Copilot Extension & GitHub Authentication

Sometimes the issue is specific to the extension's installation or your authentication context within WSL.

• Reinstall Copilot Chat Inside WSL:

  Copilot Chat has a UI part (Windows) and a server part (WSL). While connected to WSL in VS Code, open the Extensions view, search for GitHub Copilot Chat, and reinstall it. Ensure it explicitly shows “Enabled in WSL”.

• Re-authenticate GitHub from WSL:

  WSL maintains its own GitHub authentication context. In VS Code (connected to WSL), open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P), search for GitHub: Sign Out. Restart VS Code, then use GitHub: Sign In to re-authenticate.

3. WSL Backend & Server Component Integrity

The server component of Copilot Chat running in WSL can sometimes become corrupted or stuck.

• Force a Clean Rebuild of the WSL Server:

  Shutting down WSL forces a fresh connection and reinstallation of remote server components. Close VS Code, then open your Windows terminal and run:

  wsl --shutdown
  

  Reopen VS Code and reconnect to your WSL instance.

By systematically working through these troubleshooting steps, developers can often resolve persistent Copilot Chat issues in WSL. A stable development environment is crucial for maintaining flow and ultimately achieving your software project goals examples without unnecessary interruptions.