If GitHub Copilot is not working in IntelliJ IDEA on Windows 11, first identify whether the problem affects inline suggestions, Copilot Chat, particular files, or plugin activation. Then check Copilot access and sign-in, update the plugin, review organization policy, test network access, and inspect IntelliJ logs. GitHub’s troubleshooting guidance covers Windows and JetBrains IDEs generally; it does not identify a Windows 11-only cause or promise one fix for every symptom.
First identify what is failing
“Copilot not working” can describe several different problems. Note the exact error and where it happens before changing settings.
- Inline suggestions fail everywhere: check account access, sign-in, plugin version, and connectivity.
- Suggestions fail only in certain files: if you use Copilot Business or Enterprise, check whether those files are excluded by organization policy.
- Copilot Chat is missing: verify the IDE and account prerequisites, then check whether an organization owner has disabled Chat.
- Activation or connection error appears: refresh authentication, then investigate proxy, VPN, firewall, and certificate settings.
These symptoms point to different checks; a command-line connection test, for example, cannot establish that the IntelliJ plugin itself is healthy.
Check Copilot access, sign-in, and the plugin
GitHub lists IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, Community, and Educational as compatible. You also need an account with Copilot access, GitHub sign-in in the IDE, and the GitHub Copilot plugin. See GitHub’s IDE guidance for asking Copilot questions.
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- Confirm that the GitHub account you intend to use has Copilot access.
- In IntelliJ IDEA, check that you are signed in to that GitHub account and that the GitHub Copilot plugin is installed and enabled.
- Open IntelliJ’s plugin management screen and install any available update for GitHub Copilot. GitHub notes that the extension is updated frequently and older clients may no longer communicate with Copilot servers. The available update control and menu labels can vary by IDE version.
If activation fails
For the documented error “GitHub Copilot could not connect to server. Extension activation failed”, GitHub identifies missing Copilot access or a failure to connect to the GitHub API to request a token as possible causes. Check the account’s access, then sign out of Copilot in the IDE and sign back in to request another token. This is a troubleshooting step, not a guaranteed fix. See GitHub’s common Copilot troubleshooting guidance.
Check organization policy and file exclusions
Suggestions are missing only in certain files
If your account is covered by Copilot Business or Enterprise, ask a repository administrator or organization owner whether content exclusions apply. GitHub says excluded files do not receive inline suggestions; IntelliJ may show a status icon and tooltip indicating that a file is excluded. Compare an affected file with one where suggestions work, and ask an administrator to confirm the policy rather than changing unrelated IDE settings.
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Copilot Chat is missing
First confirm the account, compatible IDE, sign-in, and plugin checks above. If those are in order, ask the organization owner whether Copilot Chat has been disabled for your organization. Chat availability and inline suggestions are separate: a policy that disables Chat does not by itself explain every inline-suggestion problem.
Test network access before changing proxy settings
On a network where you suspect a connection problem, run this command in a terminal:
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curl --verbose https://copilot-proxy.githubusercontent.com/_pingA successful connection should return HTTP 200. For Copilot Chat connectivity, GitHub also names https://api.githubcopilot.com/_ping. These checks test endpoint reachability from the command line; they do not verify plugin health, account entitlement, or organization policy. GitHub documents testing through an HTTP proxy with curl’s -x option and the proxy host and port. Use the values supplied by your administrator. See GitHub’s network-error troubleshooting.
Review IntelliJ proxy, VPN, and firewall configuration
Corporate proxies, VPNs, firewalls, proxy authentication, and traffic inspection can interrupt Copilot connections. If Copilot fails on a work network but works elsewhere, or if endpoint checks fail there, ask company IT to confirm the approved proxy and firewall policy and whether required Copilot traffic is allowed.
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- In IntelliJ IDEA, open File > Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > HTTP Proxy.
- If your organization requires a proxy, choose the configuration method and enter the host and port provided by IT. Complete any required proxy authentication.
- Retest Copilot and the endpoint check. Do not weaken firewall rules or bypass company controls to troubleshoot.
GitHub says proxy URLs beginning with https:// are not currently supported by Copilot. Consult GitHub’s network configuration guidance and your administrator if you are unsure which proxy settings apply.
Handle certificate errors cautiously
An error such as “unable to verify the first certificate” may occur when a corporate proxy inspects encrypted traffic. GitHub says Copilot on Windows uses the win-ca package to find certificates. Ask IT to confirm that the company certificate is installed correctly and that the proxy is configured as intended.
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JetBrains provides an option to accept untrusted certificates, but GitHub warns that ignoring certificate errors can create security issues and does not recommend it as a routine fix. Do not use it as a first-line workaround. GitHub’s network troubleshooting guidance covers certificate-related connection problems.
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- Open Help > Show Log in Finder and inspect
idea.logfor GitHub or Copilot errors. GitHub’s documentation uses this menu label; it may differ from the wording on your Windows installation. - For connection problems, open Tools > GitHub Copilot > Log Diagnostics and check the Reachability section.
- For certificate questions, open Tools > GitHub Copilot > Log CA Certificates to print trusted CA certificates to the log.
- If the regular log lacks useful detail, open Help > Diagnostic Tools > Debug Log Settings…, add
#com.github.copilot:trace, reproduce the issue, and collectidea.log. Remove the trace setting when you finish; detailed logging is for targeted diagnosis, not a setting to leave enabled.
See GitHub’s instructions for viewing Copilot logs. Share only the information needed with your administrator or GitHub Support. Include IntelliJ and plugin versions, the steps that reproduce the problem, and relevant error messages; review logs for sensitive information before sharing.
Compare networks or devices if the issue remains
When practical, check whether Copilot behaves differently on another network or device. A change in behavior can help distinguish a machine or network issue from an account or service issue, but it does not prove the root cause. If you contact support, provide the comparison along with your log findings and reproduction steps. For unusually slow responses, see GitHub’s slow-response troubleshooting guidance.
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