Entire window goes blank after a period of time

[jvSPS]

Type: Bug

This seems like a timed issue.
Every so often (unsure of interval), the VS code main window including menus, status bar, and title bar features "go blank". Just an emtpy black-gray screen. The only visible controls are the Min, Max, Close buttons in the upper-right.

A window resize fixes the problem, but it is annoying. Only started after upgrading to the version I am on. Prev version didn't have this issue.

VS Code version: Code 1.103.1 (360a4e4, 2025-08-12T16:25:40.542Z)
OS version: Windows_NT x64 10.0.22631
Modes:

System Info

Item	Value
CPUs	Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10510U CPU @ 1.80GHz (8 x 2304)
GPU Status	2d_canvas: enabled direct_rendering_display_compositor: disabled_off_ok gpu_compositing: enabled multiple_raster_threads: enabled_on opengl: enabled_on rasterization: enabled raw_draw: disabled_off_ok skia_graphite: disabled_off trees_in_viz: disabled_off video_decode: enabled video_encode: enabled vulkan: disabled_off webgl: enabled webgl2: enabled webgpu: enabled webnn: disabled_off
Load (avg)	undefined
Memory (System)	15.78GB (2.08GB free)
Process Argv	--crash-reporter-id 5f6ea445-b233-41b9-bd8f-1cbd9a00146d
Screen Reader	no
VM	0%

Extensions (5)

Extension	Author (truncated)	Version
debugpy	ms-	2025.10.0
python	ms-	2025.12.0
vscode-pylance	ms-	2025.7.1
vscode-python-envs	ms-	1.2.0
powershell	ms-	2025.2.0

A/B Experiments

vsliv368cf:30146710
pythonvspyt551:31249599
binariesv615:30325510
vscrp:30673768
nativeloc1:31344060
dwcopilot:31170013
6074i472:31201624
dwoutputs:31242946
copilot_t_ci:31333650
e5gg6876:31282496
pythoneinst12:31285622
996jf627:31283433
pythonrdcb7:31342333
usemplatestapi:31297334
jjjhb125:31275178
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pylancequickfixt:31358882
9d2cg352:31346308
convertlamdat:31358880
usemarketplace:31343026
nesew2to5:31336538
agentclaude:31335814
replacestringexc:31350595
nes-set-on:31340697
6abeh943:31336334
yijiwantestdri0626-t:31336930
0927b901:31350571
4gdec884:31348710
0ej4-default:31346761
45650338:31358607
0cj2b977:31352657
0574c672:31362109
asdad:31365766
controlchatstate:31363048
pylancealldocst:31367567
gemagent1cf:31363461
retryenabled:31368124

[j-spang]

Happens for me every couple of minutes as well. Here's a screenshot of what it looks like:

[konalt]

Just started happening to me today too. Happens seemingly randomly, but moving the window around fixes it.

Update: after some testing, it seems to happen exactly 10 minutes after the last window resize.

[tmoody]

+1, on Ubuntu

Version: 1.103.1
Commit: 360a4e4fd251bfce169a4ddf857c7d25d1ad40da
Date: 2025-08-12T16:25:40.542Z
Electron: 37.2.3
ElectronBuildId: 12035395
Chromium: 138.0.7204.100
Node.js: 22.17.0
V8: 13.8.500258-electron.0
OS: Linux x64 5.15.0-144-generic

[deepak1556]

Does this happen when the window is occluded or while active interaction ? The comments and screenshot suggests some renderer throttling but that should only kick in when the window is backgrounded.

Can you follow the steps from https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/wiki/Performance-Issues#profiling-the-renderer-process and capture a cpu profile, thanks!

[jvSPS]

I have found that even when the window has focus, it blanks outs. I will work to get the cpu profile from the link and post Thank you, Jason Volle Mobile: 801.830.0817 Office: 801.594.6172 From: Robo ***@***.***> Sent: Friday, August 22, 2025 9:14 AM To: microsoft/vscode ***@***.***> Cc: Jason Volle ***@***.***>; Author ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [microsoft/vscode] Entire window goes blank after a period of time (Issue #261660) **************** CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. DO NOT click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender Robo ***@***.******@***.***>> **************** [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/964386?s=20&v=4]deepak1556 left a comment (microsoft/vscode#261660)<#261660 (comment)> Does this happen when the window is occluded or while active interaction ? The comments and screenshot suggests some renderer throttling but that should only kick in when the window is backgrounded. Can you follow the steps from https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/wiki/Performance-Issues#profiling-the-renderer-process and capture a cpu profile, thanks! — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#261660 (comment)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AXC3C2EPRPQSLZQR4V4UHET3O4XU3AVCNFSM6AAAAACD5HPICGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTEMJUG4ZTGOBZGY>. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.******@***.***>> ================================================================================================ Please access the attached hyperlink for an important electronic communications disclaimer: https://www.spservicing.com/legal/email_disclaimer.htm ================================================================================================

[dolangish]

I am having this issue as well. It doesn't seem to require the vscode window to be occluded by other windows in order for it to happen, but perhaps it's the cursor movement that is forcing a redraw at times?