Properly load and apply the schema

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 4 views

Introduction

When working with JSON schemas in Visual Studio Code (VS Code), users may encounter an error that prevents autocomplete and validation from functioning properly. This issue is characterized by the error message "Problems loading reference." In this article, we will delve into the possible causes of this problem, explore the expected behavior, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to reproduce the issue.

Issue Description

When working with JSON schemas in VS Code, the following error occurs:

"Problems loading reference"

As a result, autocomplete and validation do not work properly. This issue can be frustrating for developers who rely on these features to ensure the accuracy and completeness of their code.

Screenshot

The error message is accompanied by a screenshot that illustrates the issue:

Schema Reference Error

Possible Cause

This issue may be caused by a redirection on the JSON Schema URL:

http://json-schema.org/schema currently redirects to https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema.

Expected Behavior

VS Code should be able to:

Follow HTTP redirects when resolving schema references.
Properly load and apply the schema for autocomplete and validation to function correctly.

Steps to Reproduce

To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:

Open a JSON file in VS Code with a $schema reference to http://json-schema.org/schema.
Observe that VS Code fails to load the schema and displays an error.
Notice that autocomplete and validation do not work as expected.

Environment

The issue was encountered on the following environment:

VS Code Version: 1.98.1
OS: macOS 15.3.1

Troubleshooting

To troubleshoot this issue, try the following:

Disable all extensions by launching VS Code with the --disable-extensions flag.
Use the latest Insiders build to see if the issue has already been fixed.
Search existing issues to avoid creating duplicates.

Conclusion

The "Problems loading reference" error in VS Code can be caused by a redirection on the JSON Schema URL. To resolve this issue, VS Code should be able to follow HTTP redirects and properly load and apply the schema for autocomplete and validation to function correctly. By following the steps outlined in this article, developers can reproduce the issue and troubleshoot the problem to ensure that their code is accurate and complete.

Recommendations

To avoid encountering this issue in the future, developers can take the following recommendations:

Use the latest version of VS Code to ensure that you have the latest features and bug fixes.
Disable all extensions to troubleshoot the issue and identify the cause.
Use the --disable-extensions flag to launch VS Code and disable all extensions.
Search existing issues to avoid creating duplicates and to see if the issue has already been fixed.

Q: What is the "Problems loading reference" error in VS Code?

A: The "Problems loading reference" error in VS Code is an issue that prevents autocomplete and validation from functioning properly when working with JSON schemas. This error is characterized by the error message "Problems loading reference."

Q: What causes the "Problems loading reference" error?

A: The "Problems loading reference" error may be caused by a redirection on the JSON Schema URL. Specifically, the URL http://json-schema.org/schema currently redirects to https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema.

Q: What is the expected behavior of VS Code when resolving schema references?

A: VS Code should be able to follow HTTP redirects when resolving schema references. Additionally, VS Code should properly load and apply the schema for autocomplete and validation to function correctly.

Q: How can I reproduce the "Problems loading reference" error?

A: To reproduce the "Problems loading reference" error, follow these steps:

Open a JSON file in VS Code with a $schema reference to http://json-schema.org/schema.
Observe that VS Code fails to load the schema and displays an error.
Notice that autocomplete and validation do not work as expected.

Q: What are the system requirements for reproducing the "Problems loading reference" error?

A: The system requirements for reproducing the "Problems loading reference" error are:

VS Code Version: 1.98.1
OS: macOS 15.3.1

Q: How can I troubleshoot the "Problems loading reference" error?

A: To troubleshoot the "Problems loading reference" error, try the following:

Disable all extensions by launching VS Code with the --disable-extensions flag.
Use the latest Insiders build to see if the issue has already been fixed.
Search existing issues to avoid creating duplicates.

Q: What are the recommendations for avoiding the "Problems loading reference" error?

A: To avoid encountering the "Problems loading reference" error, follow these recommendations:

Use the latest version of VS Code to ensure that you have the latest features and bug fixes.
Disable all extensions to troubleshoot the issue and identify the cause.
Use the --disable-extensions flag to launch VS Code and disable all extensions.
Search existing issues to avoid creating duplicates and to see if the issue has already been fixed.

Q: Is there a known solution to the "Problems loading reference" error?

A: Yes, there is a known solution to the "Problems loading reference" error. VS Code should be able to follow HTTP redirects when resolving schema references. Additionally, VS Code should properly load and apply the schema for autocomplete and validation to function correctly.

Q: Where can I find more information about the "Problems loading reference" error?

A: For more information about the "Problems loading reference" error, refer to the following resources:

VS Code documentation
VS Code community forums
GitHub issues related to the "Problems loading reference" error

By following these FAQs, developers can better understand the "Problems loading reference" error, reproduce the issue, and troubleshoot the problem to ensure that their code is accurate and complete.