nRF Connect for VS Code no longer building project

[db_lw]

Hello,

for some time I didn't have to work on my project that uses nRF Connect SDK but recently I had to work on it again and noticed that I am not able to build my before working configurations anymore.

This is my build log:

-- west build: generating a build system
Loading Zephyr default modules (Zephyr base).
-- Application: <path-to-project>
-- Found Python3: C:/ncs/toolchains/v2.0.2/opt/bin/python.exe (found suitable exact version "3.8.2") found components: Interpreter 
-- Cache files will be written to: C:/ncs/v2.0.2/zephyr/.cache
-- Zephyr version: 3.0.99 (C:/ncs/v2.0.2/zephyr)
-- Found west (found suitable version "0.13.1", minimum required is "0.7.1")
-- Board: nrf52840dk_nrf52840
-- Found host-tools: zephyr 0.14.1 (C:/ncs/toolchains/v2.0.2/opt/zephyr-sdk)
-- Found dtc: C:/ncs/toolchains/v2.0.2/opt/bin/dtc.exe (found suitable version "1.4.7", minimum required is "1.4.6")
-- Found toolchain: zephyr 0.14.1 (C:/ncs/toolchains/v2.0.2/opt/zephyr-sdk)
-- Found BOARD.dts: C:/ncs/v2.0.2/zephyr/boards/arm/nrf52840dk_nrf52840/nrf52840dk_nrf52840.dts
-- Found devicetree overlay: <path-to-project>/configuration/nrf52840dk_nrf52840/app.overlay
-- Generated zephyr.dts: <path-to-project>/build/zephyr/zephyr.dts
-- Generated devicetree_unfixed.h: <path-to-project>/build/zephyr/include/generated/devicetree_unfixed.h
-- Generated device_extern.h: <path-to-project>/build/zephyr/include/generated/device_extern.h
-- Including generated dts.cmake file: <path-to-project>/build/zephyr/dts.cmake
CMake Error at C:/ncs/v2.0.2/zephyr/cmake/modules/kconfig.cmake:226 (message):
  File not found:
  <path-to-project>/configuration/nrf52840dk_nrf52840/configuration/nrf52840dk_nrf52840/prj.conf
Call Stack (most recent call first):
  C:/ncs/v2.0.2/zephyr/cmake/modules/zephyr_default.cmake:121 (include)
  C:/ncs/v2.0.2/zephyr/share/zephyr-package/cmake/ZephyrConfig.cmake:51 (include)
  C:/ncs/v2.0.2/zephyr/share/zephyr-package/cmake/ZephyrConfig.cmake:76 (include_boilerplate)
  CMakeLists.txt:22 (find_package)

And this is the build command:

west build --build-dir <path-to-project>/build <path-to-project> --pristine --board nrf52840dk_nrf52840 --cmake-only -- -DNCS_TOOLCHAIN_VERSION=NONE -DCONF_FILE=configuration/nrf52840dk_nrf52840/prj.conf -DBOARD_ROOT=<path-to-project>

The error says it doesn't find the configuration file and this is correct because it is looking in the wrong path. It is looking under <path-to-project>/configuration/nrf52840dk_nrf52840/configuration/nrf52840dk_nrf52840/prj.conf but the actual path should be just <path-to-project>/configuration/nrf52840dk_nrf52840/prj.conf.

This seems like a bug to me or am I missing something?

OS: Windows 11 24H2
VS Code: 1.102.2
nRF Connect for VS Code: 2025.5.152

Edit:

When adjusting the build command like below and run it manually it works.

west build --build-dir <path-to-project>/build <path-to-project> --pristine --board nrf52840dk_nrf52840 --cmake-only -- -DNCS_TOOLCHAIN_VERSION=NONE -DCONF_FILE=prj.conf -DBOARD_ROOT=<path-to-project>

[Priyanka]

Hi David,

Could you attach the Support Information?

-Priyanka

[db_lw]

Hi Pryanka,

sure, attached you can find the Support Information file:

Fullscreen 2451.nrf-connect-support-20250724135101.json Download

{
  "platform": {
    "os": "win32",
    "osVersion": "Windows 11 Pro",
    "osKernel": "10.0.26100",
    "vscode": "1.102.2",
    "electron": "35.6.0",
    "node": "v22.15.1"
  },
  "system": {
    "date": "2025-07-24T13:51:01.027Z",
    "vscodeRoot": "c:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\resources\\app",
    "nrfConnectForDesktopInstalled": true,
    "vscodeUptime": "00:01:14",
    "osUptime": "166:08:52",
    "cpu": "AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-Core Processor"
  },
  "workspace": {
    "name": "debug",
    "workspaceFile": null,
    "folders": [
      "c:\\project\\debug"
    ]
  },
  "sdks": [
    {
      "version": "v2.6.1",
      "path": "c:\\ncs\\v2.6.1"
    },
    {
      "version": "v2.0.2",
      "path": "c:\\ncs\\v2.0.2"
    }
  ],
  "apps": [
    {
      "workspace": "c:\\project\\debug",
      "uri": "c:\\project\\debug\\firmware",
      "buildConfigurations": []
    }
  ],
  "toolchains": [
    {
      "version": "2.6.1",
      "path": "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2"
    },
    {
      "version": "2.0.2",
      "path": "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\v2.0.2"
    }
  ],
  "connectedDevices": [],
  "tools": {
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    "C:\\Program Files\\SEGGER\\JLink_V794e\\JLink.exe": "7.94e",
    "C:\\Program Files\\Nordic Semiconductor\\nrf-command-line-tools\\bin\\nrfjprog.exe": "10.24.2",
    "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\cmake": "3.21.0",
    "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\opt\\bin\\Scripts\\west.exe": "1.2.0",
    "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\opt\\bin\\python.exe": "3.9.13",
    "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\opt\\bin\\ninja.exe": "1.10.2",
    "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\opt\\bin\\gperf.exe": "3.1",
    "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\opt\\bin\\dtc.exe": "1.4.7",
    "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\opt\\bin\\gn.exe": "2154",
    "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\mingw64\\bin\\git.exe": "2.37.3.windows.1",
    "arm-gdbPath": "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\opt\\zephyr-sdk\\arm-zephyr-eabi\\bin\\arm-zephyr-eabi-gdb.exe",
    "riscv-gdbPath": "c:\\ncs\\toolchains\\cf2149caf2\\opt\\zephyr-sdk\\riscv64-zephyr-elf\\bin\\riscv64-zephyr-elf-gdb.exe"
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      "jlinkInfo": {
        "description": "This version of SEGGER J-Link is different from the J-Link version that was used to test nrfutil device commands",
        "expectedVersion": {
          "version": "JLink_V8.18",
          "versionFormat": "string"
        },
        "name": "JlinkARM",
        "version": "JLink_V7.94e",
        "versionFormat": "string"
      }
    },
    "nrfutil-sdk-manager": {
      "version": "1.3.0",
      "binPath": "c:\\Users\\Lunatone\\.vscode\\extensions\\nordic-semiconductor.nrf-connect-2025.5.152-win32-x64\\platform\\nrfutil\\bin\\nrfutil-sdk-manager"
    }
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    "defaultProfile": null
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  "config": {
    "nordic-semiconductor.nrf-connect": {
      "topdir": "",
      "toolchain": {
        "path": ""
      },
      "ozonePath": "",
      "applications": [
        "${workspaceFolder}/firmware"
      ],
      "applicationOptions": {},
      "kconfig": {
        "interface": "kconfig"
      },
      "west": {
        "env": {
          "$base": "terminal"
        }
      },
      "boardRoots": [
        "${workspaceFolder}/firmware"
      ],
      "taskBindings": {},
      "buildTerminal": {
        "condensedProgress": true
      },
      "debugging": {
        "flash": true,
        "bindings": {},
        "justMyCode": false
      },
      "activeAppFollowActiveEditor": true,
      "flash": {
        "softreset": false,
        "erase": false,
        "recover": false
      },
      "enableTelemetry": false,
      "thirdpartyIntegration": {},
      "toolchainManager": {
        "indexURL": null,
        "installDirectory": "c:\\ncs"
      },
      "nrfutil": {
        "home": null
      },
      "defaultOpenAction": "ask",
      "terminalProfile": {
        "shell": null
      }
    },
    "nordic-semiconductor.nrf-terminal": {
      "terminalMode": "character"
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        "version": "2025.5.152",
        "path": "c:\\Users\\Lunatone\\.vscode\\extensions\\nordic-semiconductor.nrf-connect-2025.5.152-win32-x64",
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        "isActive": true
      },
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        "path": "c:\\Users\\Lunatone\\.vscode\\extensions\\nordic-semiconductor.nrf-kconfig-2025.4.26",
        "isActive": true
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[Priyanka]

Hi David,

I am not able to replicate your error. 

Could you try to build within the actual path and see if the issue arises?, i.e. build within C:\NCS\v2.6.1\nrf\applications\nrf_desktop\

instead of creating a separate workspace at c:\project\debug

Please try this and let me know how it goes. Also, please delete the existing build file and application as well and do a fresh build in the new location.

Regards,

Priyanka

[db_lw]

Hi Priyanka,

when I'm building in the SDK path I have the same issue. I tried it with both versions I have installed 2.0.2 and 2.6.1. Before building I deleted the build folder.

[Priyanka]

Hi David,

I am checking this internally with the team. Similar issue has been reported, but I am not able to reproduce it here. I am discussing this with experts and will get back to you as soon as I get a solution.

-Priyanka