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?

Answer 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

Answer 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.

Answer 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

Answer 4

I faced this type of issue when opening project on visual studio 2017.

If you have connected with TFS and I believed that your connection has been lost.

Re-connect and close the project and then reopen using visual studio.

Hope this will helpfull!

Answer 5

On the Notification Area there is a message for Visual Studio 2017 updates. Click on that and this fixed my problem of empty Solution Explorer when u click on a 2015 sln file.