Can't ssh to HPC clusters from VS Code

[ShaohuiLiu]

Type: Bug

Since version 1.100, I can no longer login to HPC clusters like the TACC ones directly in VS Code. I started to notice this issue around June. This week, the updated feedback I received is "Unfortunately there aren't any changes that can be made on TACC's side to
address the compatibility issues VSCode introduced in their latest releases.
They'd have to release a version that corrects those problems. Until then,
rolling back the version will be the only solution."

Extension version: 0.120.0
VS Code version: Code 1.106.0 (ac4cbdf48759c7d8c3eb91ffe6bb04316e263c57, 2025-11-11T16:02:25.943Z)
OS version: Darwin arm64 25.1.0
Modes:
Remote OS version: Linux x64 6.1.0-40-cloud-amd64

System Info

Item	Value
CPUs	Apple M1 Pro (10 x 2400)
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: enabled_on trees_in_viz: disabled_off video_decode: enabled video_encode: enabled webgl: enabled webgl2: enabled webgpu: enabled webnn: disabled_off
Load (avg)	5, 4, 4
Memory (System)	32.00GB (0.54GB free)
Process Argv	--crash-reporter-id 7696ff7d-e989-4a9e-b919-6ac872da3057
Screen Reader	no
VM	0%

Item	Value
Remote	SSH: instance-cpu
OS	Linux x64 6.1.0-40-cloud-amd64
CPUs	Intel(R) Xeon(R) 6985P-C CPU @ 2.30GHz (16 x 0)
Memory (System)	58.87GB (56.63GB free)
VM	0%

[Mparshu]

Yes exactly same issue happened with me also.
From the VS Code version 1.106.0 I am not able to login to the remote ssh on the rhel 7 remote server.
It is getting stuck at the Downloading VS Code Server.. This window only.

I have tried with the Earlier Versions of the VS code like 1.104.0 and 1.105.0. In Earlier versions it is working as expected.

Description

Using VS Code version 1.106.0 on Windows 11 as the local client, connecting via Remote-SSH to a remote host running **RHEL 7 **.
I have set "remote.SSH.localServerDownload": "always" (so VS Code should download the server locally and then copy it to the remote).
However the connection hangs indefinitely at the log message:

“Downloading VS Code Server…”.
Older local versions (e.g., 1.104.0 and 1.105.0) worked normally under identical host/remote conditions.

Note: Unfortunately, I’m seeing this behaviour on my work side machine, so I currently cannot pull full logs. If needed, I can attempt to recreate the issue on a different (non-work) laptop with full logging access — just let me know.

Steps to Reproduce

1. On Windows local machine install VS Code version .
2. Install Remote-SSH extension version .
3. Set "remote.SSH.localServerDownload": "always" in settings.
4. Connect to remote host (user@RHEL7-host) via Remote-SSH.
5. Observe it gets stuck at “Downloading VS Code Server…” and never progresses.

Expected behaviour

The VS Code Server should download locally (because localServerDownload=always), then be copied and installed on the remote host, and then connection proceeds, as was the case with older VS Code versions.

Actual behaviour

Connection hangs at “Downloading VS Code Server…” (on local) and nothing further happens. No completion of download/copy/installation.
Remote host remains unreachable by VS Code.

Environment

• Local OS: Windows 11
• VS Code version: 1.106.0
• Remote-SSH extension version: latest one
• Remote host OS: RHEL 7
• remote.SSH settings of note: