Visual Studio 2017 Solution Explorer is empty

Question

When I open an existing VS2015 solution file in VS2017, Solution Explorer is empty. I've tried to close and reopen Visual Studio several times, but the same thing happens every time. How to fix this?

Solution 1

This should fix it:

1. Close Visual Studio
2. Open Developer Command Prompt for VS 2017 (from Windows start menu)
3. Run devenv /updateconfiguration
4. Reopen Visual Studio

Solution 2

I'm experiencing the same issue. VS goes through all the steps when loading a solution, including "Preparing Solution", but then the Solution Explorer just comes up empty. So far I haven't found a solution. I tried deleting .suo files, and I tried cleaning the solution.

Like Eivind, I need to open the solution from the file menu. Fortunately, that has always worked for me so far.

Solution 3

Today's update for VS2017 fixed it for me. Also see https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/24529/solution-doesnt-open-in-vs-2017.html

Comments

[Vinny Brown]

This did not fix the issue for me. I am opening a VS2015 solution from the pinned items in the Windows 10 task bar. Very disappointed with VS2017 so far.

[Eivind Gussiås Løkseth]

@VinnyBrown I've seen another suggestion to delete .suo file(s). I've not tried that myself, so if you try it and it works, you can post a second answer.

[Vinny Brown]

Eivind Gussiås Løkseth Nope, that didn't fix it. Seems this might be a problem with a corrupted MEF Cache (according to their documentation). I guess I'll have to wait for a fix. I can get the solution to open sometimes. Unfortunately, the same methods don't seem to work consistently. Sometimes I'll use the Open File icon, other times I'll open it from File/Open. Pretty disappointing from such a usually solid development tool.

[heathen world]

This did not work for me either. Double clicking on solution or opening from "most recent" list do not work. Opening from File menu does work.

[Venkat]

devenv /updateconfiguration worked for me. My VS2017 version is VisualStudio/15.0.0+26228.9. .NET is 4.6.01586.

[rarrarrarrr]

this worked for me without having to delete my *.suo file.