codex - 💡(How to fix) Fix Codex/ChatGPT VS Code extension triggers fan ramp-up and software GPU/WebGL fallback on Linux with GPT-5.5 [2 comments, 3 participants]

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openai/codex#20212Fetched 2026-04-30 06:31:51
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Error Message

  • eglInitialize OpenGL failed with error EGL_NOT_INITIALIZED.
RAW_BUFFERClick to expand / collapse

What version of the IDE extension are you using?

[email protected]

What subscription do you have?

ChatGPT Plus

Which IDE are you using?

Visual Studio Code 1.117.0

What platform is your computer?

Linux x86_64 Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS Kernel: 6.8.0-110-generic Machine: Lenovo Legion 5 15ACH6H CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Mobile / Max-Q VS Code install: Snap package, path includes /snap/code/235/

What issue are you seeing?

The OpenAI Codex/ChatGPT VS Code extension causes sustained fan ramp-up / high CPU behavior on Linux when the extension panel is opened with GPT-5.5.

I performed a controlled experiment:

  • VS Code open, Codex/ChatGPT extension panel closed: fans stop / system returns to normal.
  • Codex/ChatGPT extension panel opened: fans immediately ramp up and remain high.
  • Closing the Codex/ChatGPT panel again: fans stop.
  • Running VS Code with extensions disabled avoids the issue.

This appears specific to the OpenAI VS Code extension path, not normal VS Code editing.

code --status also shows that VS Code appears to be falling back to software GPU/WebGL rendering:

  • GPU0: Google ANGLE / SwiftShader
  • gpu_compositing: disabled_software
  • rasterization: disabled_software
  • webgl: unavailable_software
  • webgl2: unavailable_software

The GPU log contains repeated EGL/OpenGL initialization errors and WebGL/software-rendering warnings, including:

  • Could not create a backing OpenGL context.
  • eglInitialize OpenGL failed with error EGL_NOT_INITIALIZED.
  • Initialization of all EGL display types failed.
  • Automatic fallback to software WebGL has been deprecated.
  • GPU stall due to ReadPixels.

The OpenAI extension process is visible in code --status as:

openai.chatgpt-26.5422.21459-linux-x64/.../codex app-server --analytics-default-enabled

This may indicate that opening the Codex/ChatGPT extension UI triggers a renderer/WebGL/software-GPU path that causes sustained CPU/fan usage on Linux.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

  1. Start VS Code on Linux.
  2. Open a normal workspace.
  3. Open the OpenAI Codex/ChatGPT VS Code extension panel.
  4. Use/select GPT-5.5.
  5. Observe that fans immediately ramp up and remain high.
  6. Close the Codex/ChatGPT extension panel.
  7. Observe that fans stop / CPU behavior returns to normal.
  8. Run VS Code with extensions disabled.
  9. Observe that the issue is avoided.

Controlled experiments already tried:

  • Closed Codex/ChatGPT panel: fans stop.
  • Opened Codex/ChatGPT panel: fans ramp up again.
  • Ran VS Code with extensions disabled: issue avoided.
  • Cleared VS Code Electron/GPU caches.
  • Temporarily moved/restored ~/.codex.
  • Temporarily moved/restored VS Code workspaceStorage.
  • Confirmed the issue correlates with the extension being open.

What is the expected behavior?

Opening the Codex/ChatGPT VS Code extension panel should not cause sustained fan noise, high CPU usage, or continuous GPU/software-rendering activity when the model is not actively generating.

When idle, the extension should remain mostly inactive. CPU/GPU usage should return to normal after a request finishes, and simply keeping the Codex/ChatGPT panel open should not make the fans ramp up continuously.

Additional information

I am consistent codex user, I want it to be solved ASAP. I am experiencing this issue all of the versions after 0.5.80 for codex extension of VS code.

extent analysis

TL;DR

Disabling GPU acceleration or switching to a different rendering mode may help mitigate the high CPU usage and fan noise caused by the OpenAI Codex/ChatGPT VS Code extension on Linux.

Guidance

  • Try disabling GPU acceleration in VS Code by running it with the --disable-gpu flag to see if it reduces CPU usage and fan noise.
  • Check the VS Code settings for any options related to GPU rendering or WebGL and try adjusting them to see if it makes a difference.
  • Consider filing an issue with the OpenAI Codex/ChatGPT extension developers to report the problem and ask for their assistance in resolving it.
  • If possible, try downgrading the extension to version 0.5.80 or earlier to see if the issue is resolved, as the user mentions that versions after 0.5.80 are affected.

Notes

The issue seems to be specific to the OpenAI Codex/ChatGPT extension and its interaction with the GPU rendering on Linux. The user has already tried several troubleshooting steps, including disabling extensions and clearing caches, but the issue persists.

Recommendation

Apply workaround: Try disabling GPU acceleration or switching to a different rendering mode to mitigate the issue, as it may help reduce CPU usage and fan noise until a permanent fix is available from the extension developers.

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codex - 💡(How to fix) Fix Codex/ChatGPT VS Code extension triggers fan ramp-up and software GPU/WebGL fallback on Linux with GPT-5.5 [2 comments, 3 participants]