Show "Debug options not enabled" while upgrade nRF Connect for VS Code Extenstion Pack

RE: Show "Debug options not enabled" while upgrade nRF Connect for VS Code Extenstion Pack

Kelso — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:28:09 GMT

I'm dealing with something similar to this. Is there a mechanism to disable this check and pop-up dialog. I enable debugging settings through a different mechanism because I want to debug the code with -Os rather than -Og optimization and the default settings prevent this configuration. This means for my use case, the dialog is completely useless and incorrect. I would rather turn it off completely.

RE: Show "Debug options not enabled" while upgrade nRF Connect for VS Code Extenstion Pack

SwRa — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:31:10 GMT

Hello,

Yes, in multi-image (multi-domain) builds—such as when using MCUboot, TFM, and your application—each image/domain can have its own optimization and debug settings. By default, setting the optimization level to "debug" in your main build configuration only applies to the main domain (usually your application). This has been documented here: How to work with sysbuild domains

So, to fix your issue:

Go to the Build Configurations in VS Code.
Edit the build configuration for the MCUboot domain.
Set its optimization level to Optimize for debugging.
Rebuild the project.

Regards,

Swathy

RE: Show "Debug options not enabled" while upgrade nRF Connect for VS Code Extenstion Pack

pcspets — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 15:41:32 GMT

Do you perhaps have a multi-target application? In my case, seems that mcuboot doesn't inherit all build options and this message is displayed every time I try to start mcuboot debug session.

RE: Show "Debug options not enabled" while upgrade nRF Connect for VS Code Extenstion Pack

SwRa — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:28:16 GMT

Hello,

Did you try doing pistine build after editing the buid coniguration.? After changing the optimization level, make sure you perform a pristine build (delete the build folder and rebuild). Sometimes, outputs are not regenerated unless you do a clean build, which can cause the debug options not to be applied properly.

Refer: https://academy.nordicsemi.com/courses/nrf-connect-sdk-intermediate/lessons/lesson-2-debugging/topic/debugging-in-vs-code/

Regards,

Swathy

RE: Show "Debug options not enabled" while upgrade nRF Connect for VS Code Extenstion Pack

ToothlessYY — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:04:32 GMT

Hi SwRa, thanks for you reply. I try toe change the Optimization level in Build Configuration, set it to debugging level, but still has the same error

RE: Show "Debug options not enabled" while upgrade nRF Connect for VS Code Extenstion Pack

SwRa — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:36:56 GMT

Hello,

This means that that your build configuration is not set up with the necessary debug options. Please refer https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/nrf-connect-vscode/page/get_started/quick_debug.html#how-to-debug-an-application and follow the steps mentioned to enable debugging.

Best Regards,

Swathy