ESP-IDF IDE: C/C++ Language Server stuck at 28% during initialization (IEP-1725)

[abdulkhalil123]

The C/C++ Language Server (Indexer) gets stuck consistently at 28% during initialization. I have tried restarting the IDE and cleaning the project, but the progress bar does not move past this point.

error log.log

[github-actions]

Hi @abdulkhalil123! This is an automated response.
If you don’t find the answer helpful, please check the ESP32 IDE forum (https://www.esp32.com/viewforum.php?f=40) or GitHub issues (https://github.com/espressif/idf-eclipse-plugin/issues) to see if the issue has already been discussed.

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This issue is typically related to the new LSP-based C/C++ editor (clangd) introduced in Espressif-IDE 3.x. There is a known problem where the Language Server can hang around 28% when the project path contains spaces. This has been addressed in Espressif-IDE v3.2.0 (issue IEP-1371: “Language Server hangs on 28% when a project contains spaces”). [v3.2.0 release]

Please try the following:

1. Check your project/workspace path

   • If the path contains spaces, move the project (and/or workspace) to a directory without spaces and re-import it, or
   • Update to Espressif-IDE v3.2.0 or later, where this bug is fixed. [v3.2.0 release]

2. Verify clangd configuration

   • Ensure .clangd exists in the project root with:

     CompileFlags:
       CompilationDatabase: build
       Remove: [-m*, -f*]

     [LSP support doc]
   • In Window > Preferences > C/C++ > Editor(LSP) > clangd, confirm:
     • Path points to the installed clangd.
     • Additional args include --compile-commands-dir=/project/build (adjust if you use a custom build dir). [LSP support doc]

3. Ensure CDT indexer is disabled (to avoid conflicts)

   • Go to Window > Preferences > C/C++ > Indexer and uncheck Enable Indexer. [Disable CDT indexer]

If the problem persists after these steps and using v3.2.0 or later, please capture the Error Log (Window > Show View > Error Log) and attach it when reporting the issue so it can be further analyzed. [Troubleshooting]

[abdulkhalil123]

After updating to v3.2.0, the Espressif perspective and framework-specific icons/options are missing. I am only seeing the standard Eclipse C/C++ interface. Even after switching perspectives, the ESP-IDF build/flash toolbar is not visible.

[sigmaaa]

Hi @abdulkhalil123,

The auto-response bot provided outdated information. The latest version is 4.1, which uses EIM (Espressif Installation Manager) to manage esp-idf and also includes fixes and improvements on the CDT LSP side.

The missing Espressif icons usually indicate that the plugin was installed or updated incorrectly—most likely due to issues resolving dependencies.

I recommend downloading Espressif-IDE, which already includes all the required plugins. The download link for Espressif-IDE is available near the bottom of this page:
https://github.com/espressif/idf-eclipse-plugin/releases/tag/v4.1.0

[sigmaaa]

Hi @abdulkhalil123 ,

Could you also please let us know which version of the Espressif-IDE/plugin you were using when you encountered this problem? Thanks.