Pressing F5 in VS Code and the Python debugger does not start?
The debugger depends on the Python Debugger extension, the selected interpreter and a valid debug configuration. We will test those pieces in that order instead of randomly rewriting launch.json.
Confirm the debugger extension and interpreter first.
In Extensions, confirm Python Debugger is installed and enabled. Then run Python: Select Interpreter and verify that the selected interpreter is the one your project should use.
python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"Use a current Python Debugger launch configuration.
Current VS Code Python debugging uses the Python Debugger extension and debugpy. If an old launch.json still has "type": "python", replace it with "debugpy". For a single script, VS Code can also generate the configuration from Run and Debug → Python Debugger → Python File.
{
"name": "Python Debugger: Current File",
"type": "debugpy",
"request": "launch",
"program": "${file}",
"console": "integratedTerminal"
}Retest the exact problem — do not assume it is fixed.
Set a breakpoint on this line and start debugging. If execution stops at the breakpoint, the debugger is starting correctly. If not, open the Debug Console and inspect the exact error before making another change.
print("debugger reached this file")Fix complete. 😎
You verified the result instead of stopping after a hopeful change. Save the working interpreter/version/environment details with the project so you can reproduce them later.
Back to Fixes →This guided fix follows current official documentation. ITFixLab does not execute commands for you; you stay in control of your machine.
VS Code Python debugging ↗VS Code Python overview ↗