Fix GitHub Copilot 403 Error in Visual Studio Code

The 403 error in GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio Code is typically an authentication issue that occurs during signup or when using the AI assistant. This frustrating problem often manifests as “Chat took too long to get ready” despite having the GitHub Copilot Chat extension installed and enabled. The error indicates that your VS Code instance can’t authenticate with GitHub’s Copilot services, which could stem from token issues, DNS problems, or subscription eligibility.

Contents

• Understanding the 403 Error in GitHub Copilot
• Authentication Troubleshooting Steps
• DNS and Network Solutions
• Extension and IDE Fixes
• Subscription and Eligibility Issues
• Advanced Troubleshooting Methods
• Sources
• Conclusion

Understanding the 403 Error in GitHub Copilot

When you encounter a 403 status code with GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code, it’s essentially a forbidden access error. What does this mean practically? Your VS Code client is trying to communicate with GitHub’s Copilot servers but being blocked. Why does this happen? Several reasons could be at play, but most relate to authentication, permissions, or connectivity issues.

The 403 error during GitHub Copilot Free plan signup often indicates that GitHub’s systems are detecting something unusual about your request or account setup. This could be triggered by:

• Unusual activity detection algorithms
• Ad-blockers or DNS filtering services interfering
• Incomplete Copilot configuration settings
• Using an alias email address
• Lingering enterprise authentication
• Existing trial or subscription conflicts

When using the AI assistant and you see “Chat took too long to get ready,” the 403 error typically means your connection to GitHub’s servers is timing out. This often happens when DNS resolution problems prevent VS Code from reaching the Copilot endpoints within the expected timeframe.

The error message doesn’t always tell the whole story. Sometimes it says “missing token,” other times it shows “Chat took too long to get ready,” but underneath both scenarios, the core issue is usually the same: authentication failure or connectivity problems between your development environment and GitHub’s services.

Authentication Troubleshooting Steps

Let’s start with the most common solution: re-authentication. Why does this work? Sometimes the authentication token gets corrupted or expires, causing a fresh login to resolve the issue.

Step 1: Re-authenticate GitHub Copilot in VS Code

Open VS Code and follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) to open the Command Palette
2. Type “Copilot: Sign Out” and select it
3. Type “Copilot: Sign In” and select it
4. Complete the GitHub authentication flow in the browser

Step 2: Revoke existing authorizations

If re-authentication doesn’t work, you may need to clear all existing Copilot authorizations:

1. Go to GitHub Settings → Applications → Authorized OAuth Apps
2. Find “GitHub Copilot” and “GitHub Copilot Chat” in the list
3. Click “Revoke” for both applications
4. Return to VS Code and sign in again

Step 3: Clear Copilot login cache

Sometimes the authentication cache in VS Code needs to be manually cleared:

1. Close Visual Studio Code completely
2. Navigate to your VS Code settings directory:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\Code\User
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Code/User
• Linux: ~/.config/Code/User

3. Delete the following directories:

• globalStorage/github.copilot*
• globalStorage/github.copilot-chat*

Step 4: Check your subscription status

The 403 error often occurs when there’s a mismatch between your expected plan and your actual subscription:

1. Visit https://github.com/settings/copilot
2. Verify your subscription status
3. If you’re trying to use the free plan, ensure you don’t have any lingering paid subscriptions
4. If you have a Pro subscription, confirm it’s active and not expired

These authentication steps resolve the majority of 403 errors with GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code. But what if you’ve tried these and still encounter issues? Let’s explore network and DNS solutions next.

DNS and Network Solutions

DNS problems are surprisingly common causes of GitHub Copilot 403 errors, especially when working in corporate environments or using VPNs. Why? Because GitHub’s endpoints may be blocked by corporate DNS servers or take too long to resolve, leading to timeouts.

For WSL Users: The DNS Resolution Fix

If you’re using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), the issue might be in your /etc/resolv.conf file:

1. Open the file in a text editor: sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf
2. Look for corporate VPN DNS entries (typically starting with 10.x.x.x)
3. Remove these corporate DNS entries
4. Add public DNS servers:

nameserver 8.8.8.8
nameserver 8.8.4.4

5. Save the file and restart VS Code

This fix addresses the specific “Chat took too long to get ready” error by ensuring quick resolution of GitHub’s endpoints.

General DNS Troubleshooting

For all users:

1. Check if you’re using any DNS filtering services (like OpenDNS, CleanBrowsing, or corporate DNS)
2. Temporarily switch to public DNS servers:

• Windows: Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 → Use the following DNS server addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 1.1.1.1
• macOS: System Preferences → Network → Advanced → DNS → Add 8.8.8.8 and 1.1.1.1

3. Disable any VPN connections temporarily
4. Check if ad-blockers are blocking GitHub’s domains

Corporate Environment Considerations

If you’re on a corporate network:

1. Contact your IT department to ensure GitHub’s domains aren’t blocked
2. Ask if there are any proxy settings needed for GitHub access
3. Inquire about firewall rules that might be blocking GitHub’s Copilot endpoints

DNS issues often manifest as timeout errors rather than direct 403 responses, but they’re closely related since both prevent proper authentication with GitHub’s services.

Extension and IDE Fixes

Outdated software versions frequently cause authentication issues. GitHub Copilot requires specific versions of both the extension and Visual Studio Code to function properly.

Update GitHub Copilot Extension

1. Open Visual Studio Code
2. Navigate to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X)
3. Search for “GitHub Copilot” and “GitHub Copilot Chat”
4. If updates are available, click the Update button for both extensions
5. Restart VS Code after updating

Update Visual Studio Code

Using an outdated version of VS Code can cause compatibility issues:

1. Check for updates in VS Code (Help → Check for Updates)
2. If an update is available, install it
3. Restart VS Code after updating

Clean Extension Installation

Sometimes a fresh installation resolves persistent issues:

1. Uninstall both GitHub Copilot extensions from VS Code
2. Restart VS Code
3. Reinstall the extensions from the VS Code marketplace
4. Sign in again when prompted

Check for Conflicting Extensions

Other extensions might interfere with GitHub Copilot:

1. Temporarily disable other productivity or AI-related extensions
2. Test if the 403 error persists
3. If resolved, re-enable extensions one by one to identify the conflict

Verify Extension Settings

1. Open VS Code settings
2. Search for “copilot”
3. Ensure all Copilot-related settings are enabled
4. Check that your GitHub email is correctly associated with the extension

These extension and IDE fixes address compatibility issues that can trigger authentication failures. But what if you’ve updated everything and still face the 403 error? The problem might be with your account eligibility or subscription status.

Subscription and Eligibility Issues

The 403 error during GitHub Copilot Free plan signup often stems from eligibility or configuration issues rather than technical problems. Let’s explore the account-related factors that could cause this error.

Check GitHub Copilot Settings

Manually configure your Copilot settings to ensure eligibility:

1. Visit https://github.com/settings/copilot
2. Ensure the following are properly configured:

• Your email address is verified
• You have a valid GitHub account
• There are no enterprise restrictions
• No existing trials or subscriptions are conflicting

Email Address Considerations

GitHub may reject signup attempts with certain email configurations:

1. Use your primary GitHub email address, not an alias
2. Ensure the email is fully verified in your GitHub account
3. Avoid temporary email services or disposable addresses
4. Check if your domain is on any GitHub blocklists (rare but possible)

Enterprise Account Restrictions

If you’re part of an organization with GitHub Enterprise:

1. Contact your organization admin
2. Verify that Copilot is enabled for your account
3. Confirm there are no custom restrictions preventing access
4. Ask if your organization has a Copilot license that you should be using instead

Trial and Subscription Conflicts

Existing subscriptions can interfere with free plan signup:

1. Check if you have any previous Copilot trials
2. Look for active subscriptions in your GitHub billing settings
3. Cancel any unwanted subscriptions before attempting free signup
4. Wait 24 hours after cancellation before reattempting signup

Regional Availability

GitHub Copilot Free has regional limitations:

1. Verify that the free plan is available in your country
2. Check if there are any local restrictions
3. Consider using a VPN if regional restrictions are the issue (though this may violate terms of service)

Account Activity Flags

GitHub’s anti-abuse systems might flag unusual activity:

1. Ensure your account follows normal usage patterns
2. Avoid rapid consecutive signup attempts
3. Contact GitHub support if you believe your account was incorrectly flagged

These subscription and eligibility checks address account-related causes of the 403 error. If you’ve tried all these steps and still encounter issues, it’s time for more advanced troubleshooting.

Advanced Troubleshooting Methods

When standard solutions don’t resolve the GitHub Copilot 403 error, deeper technical investigation is needed. These advanced methods tackle more complex scenarios that basic troubleshooting might miss.

Network Diagnostics

Let’s dig deeper into connectivity issues:

1. Open VS Code’s developer tools (Help → Toggle Developer Tools)
2. Navigate to the Network tab
3. Try to use Copilot and observe the failed requests
4. Look for specific error codes and endpoints being blocked
5. Check the response headers for clues about authentication failures

Manual Authentication Token Refresh

Sometimes the OAuth token needs manual intervention:

1. Visit https://github.com/settings/tokens
2. Check for any expired Copilot-related tokens
3. Generate a new personal access token with appropriate scopes
4. Configure VS Code to use this token (requires editing settings.json)

VS Code Configuration Files

Corrupted configuration files can cause authentication issues:

1. Backup your VS Code settings:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\Code\User\settings.json
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Code/User\settings.json
• Linux: ~/.config/Code/User\settings.json

2. Create a fresh settings.json with minimal configuration:

{
"github.copilot.enable": true
}

3. Restart VS Code and re-authenticate

Browser-Based Authentication

The web interface might work when the extension doesn’t:

1. Visit https://github.com/copilot
2. Try using Copilot through the web interface
3. If web access works, the issue is specifically with the VS Code extension
4. If web access also fails, the problem is with your GitHub account or subscription

System-Level Reset

In persistent cases, a system-level reset might be necessary:

1. Completely uninstall VS Code
2. Remove all VS Code-related directories:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\Code, %LOCALAPPDATA%\Code
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Code, ~/Library/Caches/Code
• Linux: ~/.config/Code, ~/.local/share/Code

3. Reinstall the latest version of VS Code
4. Install GitHub Copilot extensions fresh

Contact GitHub Support

If all else fails:

1. Visit https://support.github.com
2. Create a support ticket describing:

• The exact error message
• Steps you’ve already tried
• Your account type and subscription status
• Any error codes or additional information

3. Include logs from VS Code developer tools if available

These advanced troubleshooting methods should resolve even the most persistent GitHub Copilot 403 errors. They address issues that might be missed by standard troubleshooting approaches.

Sources

GitHub Community Discussion: Invalid copilot token — Detailed steps to resolve the 403 + ‘missing token’ error: https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/155600

GitHub Community Discussion: HTTP 403 forbidden with Copilot chat — Troubleshooting guide for 403 errors with GitHub Copilot chat: https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/167553

LinuxBeast Technical Blog — DNS resolution fix for “Chat took too long to get ready” error in WSL: https://linuxbeast.com/blog/fixing-github-copilot-chat-took-too-long-to-get-ready-in-vs-code/

GitHub Community Discussion: Copilot Free signup issues — Checklist for resolving 403 errors during free plan signup: https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/147774

Official GitHub Copilot Documentation — Authoritative troubleshooting guide for common 403 issues: https://docs.github.com/copilot/troubleshooting-github-copilot/troubleshooting-common-issues-with-github-copilot

Conclusion

The 403 error in GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio Code, whether occurring during free plan signup or when the AI assistant displays “Chat took too long to get ready,” is typically an authentication or connectivity issue that can be resolved through systematic troubleshooting. Start with basic authentication steps like re-signing in and clearing the cache, then progress to DNS fixes for WSL users, extension updates, and account eligibility verification. For persistent issues, advanced methods like network diagnostics, manual token refresh, or even complete system resets may be necessary. Remember that the 403 status code essentially means your VS Code instance is being denied access to GitHub’s Copilot services, and the solution lies in identifying and removing whatever barrier is preventing that authentication. By following the comprehensive troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the GitHub Copilot 403 error and get back to productive coding with AI assistance.