{"id":79922,"date":"2025-05-20T16:18:44","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T10:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/?p=79922"},"modified":"2025-09-09T15:14:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T09:44:36","slug":"fixing-live-server-in-vs-code","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/fixing-live-server-in-vs-code\/","title":{"rendered":"Fixing Live Server in VS Code: A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Live Server in VS Code is one of the most loved extensions in Visual Studio Code for web developers. It provides real-time updates in the browser whenever you make changes to your HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files. But what if it suddenly stops working?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re facing issues with <strong>Live Server not working<\/strong> in VS Code, you&#8217;re not alone. Let&#8217;s go through a step-by-step guide to fix it and get you back on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Common Issues with Live Server in VS Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1.png\" alt=\"Common Issues with Live Server in VS Code\" class=\"wp-image-80019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1-150x75.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we dive into the solutions, here are a few common symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The browser is not opening automatically<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The page doesn&#8217;t refresh after saving changes<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cLive Server is not working\u201d error<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Right-click &gt; &#8220;Open with Live Server&#8221; not showing<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step-by-Step Solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2.png\" alt=\"Step-by-Step Solutions\" class=\"wp-image-80020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-150x75.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Check if Live Server is Installed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First, ensure the extension is installed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Go to the <strong>Extensions<\/strong> tab (Ctrl + Shift + X)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search for <a href=\"https:\/\/marketplace.visualstudio.com\/items?itemName=ritwickdey.LiveServer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Live Server<\/strong> by <strong>Ritwick Dey<\/strong><\/a><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it\u2019s not installed, click <strong>Install<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it\u2019s installed, try clicking <strong>Reload<\/strong> to restart the extension<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/build-and-publish-your-chrome-extension\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Build Your own Chrome Extension in less than 5 minutes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Restart VS Code<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches. Close all VS Code windows and reopen your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Open Folder (Not Just File)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Live Server only works if you&#8217;ve opened a <strong>folder<\/strong>, not just a single file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Go to File &gt; Open Folder<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the folder where your project is located<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Then try again with <strong>Go Live<br><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Discover: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/jquery-plugins-for-web-developers\/\">Essential jQuery Plugins For Web Developers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Check Default Browser Settings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Live Server might open the wrong browser or fail if the default browser is misconfigured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Set your preferred browser:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Press Ctrl + Shift + P \u2192 search for <strong>Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add or update:<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>json<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>\"liveServer.settings.CustomBrowser\": \"chrome\"\n\nSupported values: \"chrome\", \"firefox\", \"edge\", \"safari\" (for Mac)<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Use the Correct <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/html-tutorial-guide-for-web-development\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HTML<\/a> File<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure you&#8217;re trying to run an actual .html file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Right-click your index.html (or other HTML file)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose <strong>&#8220;Open with Live Server.&#8221;<br><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Disable Conflicting Extensions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some extensions might interfere with Live Server (e.g., Preview on Web Server, Path Autocomplete, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Go to <strong>Extensions<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Temporarily <strong>disable<\/strong> other web server-related extensions<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Restart VS Code and try again<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Firewalls or antivirus programs can block the local server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Temporarily <strong>disable the firewall or antivirus<br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try running Live Server<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it works, add an exception for VS Code<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. Update VS Code &amp; Extensions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Outdated software can cause compatibility issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Update VS Code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Go to Help &gt; Check for Updates<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Update Extensions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>In the Extensions tab, click on the <strong>update icon<\/strong> if available<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. Check Live Server Port &amp; Address<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By default, Live Server uses port 5500. If another service is using that port, it might fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Change the port:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Open Settings (JSON) and add:<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;liveServer.settings.port&#8221;: 0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will allow Live Server to use a random free port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explore: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/best-web-development-tools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Top 9 Web Development Tools<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. Reinstall Live Server Extension<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If none of the above work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Uninstall &amp; reinstall:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Go to Extensions<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uninstall Live Server<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reload VS Code<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reinstall it<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Terminal Troubleshooting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Open the terminal (Ctrl + ~) and see if any errors pop up when you run Live Server. You might see useful error messages related to ports or permissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to learn more about HTML, Live servers, VScode, and how it enables developers to work seamlessly, consider enrolling in HCL GUVI\u2019s IIT-M Pravartak-certified <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/zen-class\/full-stack-development-course\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=hyperlink&amp;utm_campaign=fixing-live-server-in-vs-code\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/zen-class\/full-stack-development-course\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=hyperlink&amp;utm_campaign=fixing-live-server-in-vs-code\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Full Stack Development Course<\/a> that not only teaches you the basics but also makes you an experienced developer through hands-on projects guided by an actual mentor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Live Server is a powerful tool, but like any extension, it can run into hiccups. The good news is, most problems are easy to solve once you know where to look. By following the fixes in this guide, you\u2019ll have a reliable development setup back in no time. And if one solution doesn\u2019t work, don\u2019t give up. Stack the steps, stay patient, and your Live Server will be up and running smoothly again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Live Server in VS Code is one of the most loved extensions in Visual Studio Code for web developers. It provides real-time updates in the browser whenever you make changes to your HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files. But what if it suddenly stops working? If you&#8217;re facing issues with Live Server not working in VS [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":80018,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[907,294],"tags":[],"views":"21237","authorinfo":{"name":"Naveen Kumar","url":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/author\/naveen-kumar-l\/"},"thumbnailURL":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/vs-300x116.png","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/vs.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79922"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79922"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79922\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86725,"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79922\/revisions\/86725"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guvi.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}