The terminal process failed to launch (exit code: -1). * terminal will be reused by tasks, press any key to close it.

When encountering the error message “the terminal process failed to launch (exit code: -1). * terminal will be reused by tasks, press any key to close it.”, it means that the terminal failed to start or open properly. This issue might arise due to several reasons, such as incompatible system settings, conflicts with other software, or corrupted/missing files.

To resolve this error, you can try the following steps:

1. Restart Visual Studio Code

   Sometimes, the issue can be temporary, and a simple restart of Visual Studio Code can fix it. Close and reopen the application to see if the terminal now launches successfully.

2. Update Visual Studio Code

   Make sure that you are using the latest version of Visual Studio Code. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve such issues. Check for updates and install them if available.

3. Check for conflicting extensions

   Some extensions in Visual Studio Code may conflict with the terminal functionality. Temporarily disable any recently installed extensions or ones that might interact with the terminal. Restart Visual Studio Code and see if the terminal starts working correctly.

4. Reset Visual Studio Code settings to default

   If the above steps didn’t resolve the issue, you can try resetting Visual Studio Code settings to their default values. This can help eliminate any custom settings that might be causing the problem. Press Ctrl + Shift + P to open the command palette, type “Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)” and select it. Delete the current contents and paste the following code:

           
             {
               "window.restoreWindows": "none",
               "terminal.integrated.shell.windows": "",
               "terminal.integrated.shellArgs.windows": []
             }
           
         

   Save the file and restart Visual Studio Code. Check if the terminal now functions correctly.

5. Reinstall Visual Studio Code

   If none of the above solutions work, you can try uninstalling Visual Studio Code completely and then reinstalling it. This will ensure that any corrupted or missing files are replaced. After reinstalling, launch Visual Studio Code and see if the terminal works as expected.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue with the terminal in Visual Studio Code. Remember to save your work and settings before attempting any changes or reinstallations.