Windows 11 terminal error message - Failed to reload settings

Question

Every time I open a terminal I get the following error:

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Failed to reload settings

Settings could not be reloaded from file. Check for syntax errors, including trailing commas

The file exists

Temporarily using the windows terminal default settings

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Can anyone resolve this error?

Answer 1

There's most likely a problem in the file. Perhaps it exists but it's empty? If that's the case, try removing the file.

You can also try the steps in this link:

https://windowsreport.com/windows-terminal-not-working/

Considering it's a problem with the terminal app, why do you think the problem is related to PowerShell?

Answer 2

Hi,

Please open your settings.json file and check for syntax errors. You can also reset Windows Terminal to its default settings by renaming the settings.json file located in the Windows Terminal settings directory.

The path for your Windows Terminal settings.json file could be

• Terminal (stable / general release): %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\settings.json
• Terminal (preview release): %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsTerminalPreview_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\settings.json
• Terminal (unpackaged: Scoop, Chocolatey, etc): %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Terminal\settings.json

Best Regards,

Ian Xue

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