Datatips (mouse hover over variables in debug mode

Question

When I hover my mouse over a variable when debugging a C# app in Visual Studio nothing popups. I expect to see the value of the variable (aka datatips). I'm running Visual Studio 2012 Ultimate (trial edition) on Windows 7 64bit. Does anyone know what may prevent them from showing?

Things I've tried to no avail: - Reinstall VS - Search for an enable/disable setting but there doesn't seem to be one

I can see the datatips correctly with the same C# project on Windows 8/64bit with the same version of Visual Studio.

Answer 1

This 3 combinations solved it for me.
- Make sure you are in Debug mode
- Uncheck/Disable Use the legacy C#,VB.NET evaluator (Tools->Options->Debugger)
- Make sure Enable Just My Code is checked.

Answer 2

Using remote debugging on another machine makes it more challenging.

This thread talks about RPC Server being unavailable when using "Use Managed Compatibility Mode", which makes remote debug impossible with Managed Compatibility Mode

Remote Debugging not working. "Unable to attach to process. The RPC server is not available."

Native compatibility had the same effect.

It was only "Use legacy C# and VB expression evaluators" that allowed hover over variables AND remote debugging in my case.

Answer 3

I have found this solutions:

• reinstall Visual Studio as adivced here, but you have already tried it

• Open your VS->Tools->Import and Export Settings Wizard->Reset all settings->No, just reset settings, overwriting my current settings-> Choose a Default Collection of Settings from MSDN Forum: Debugging - hover watch has stopped working

Updated:

• maybe you have Release build configuration

• set Code Optimization property to Disabled under Project property windows

as adviced in similiar question on SO

Answer 4

I had this same problem. My project had somehow gone into Release mode, so I changed it back to Debug mode via Build|Configuration Manager and it was working again, the datatips reappeared.

Answer 5

Before running the application check you are running it in Debug mode. If set to Release mode change it to Debug and then run. The debugger will then provide the data-tips.

Answer 6

THis helped me: you need to open in VS Tools | Options | Debugger | General and enable the flag [Use Managed Compatibility Mode].