Fix: WebStorm LSP Server Fails On TypeScript Libs

by Alex Johnson 50 views

Encountering issues with your JetBrains IDE, specifically WebStorm, where the Language Server Protocol (LSP) server fails to initialize due to missing TypeScript library files? This is a common problem, especially when using plugins like wc-language-server-jetbrains. This article dives deep into the error, its causes, and how to troubleshoot it effectively. We will explore common scenarios, potential root causes, and practical solutions to get your language server up and running.

Understanding the Error Message

The error message com.intellij.platform.lsp.impl.connector.LspInitializationException: LSP server failed to initialize indicates a problem during the initialization of the Language Server Protocol (LSP) server within your JetBrains IDE. The underlying cause, as specified by org.eclipse.lsp4j.jsonrpc.ResponseErrorException: Request initialize failed with message: Can't find typescript.js or tsserverlibrary.js in "typescript/lib", points to the server's inability to locate essential TypeScript library files. Specifically, the LSP server is looking for typescript.js or tsserverlibrary.js within the typescript/lib directory.

This error typically arises when the language server, responsible for providing code completion, validation, and other advanced features, cannot find the necessary TypeScript files to function correctly. Let's examine the typical environment where this issue manifests.

Environment Details

  • IDE: WebStorm 2025.2
  • Node.js: Installed at C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe
  • TypeScript Version: 5.9.3 (listed in project dependencies)
  • OS: Windows
  • Language Server Command:
    "C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe" C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\JetBrains\WebStorm2025.2\plugins\wc-language-server-jetbrains\language-server\bin\wc-language-server.js --stdio

Understanding your development environment is crucial for diagnosing the problem. Knowing the IDE version, Node.js installation path, TypeScript version, operating system, and the command used to launch the language server provides valuable context for troubleshooting. Let’s walk through how to reproduce this error.

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Open WebStorm 2025.2 with the wc-language-server-jetbrains plugin installed.
  2. Open a project with TypeScript configured.
  3. Observe as the LSP server attempts to initialize.
  4. Encounter the error when the server fails to locate the TypeScript library files.

When you follow these steps, the expected behavior is that the language server should seamlessly locate the TypeScript library files (typescript.js or tsserverlibrary.js) and initialize without any issues. However, the actual behavior deviates from this expectation, leading to the error and subsequent lack of language server support.

Expected vs. Actual Behavior

  • Expected Behavior: The language server should successfully locate the TypeScript library files (typescript.js or tsserverlibrary.js) and initialize properly.
  • Actual Behavior: The language server fails to initialize because it cannot find the TypeScript library files in the expected typescript/lib directory, resulting in no language server support.

This discrepancy between expected and actual behavior highlights the core issue: the language server's inability to find the necessary TypeScript files. Understanding the additional context surrounding this issue can provide further insights into potential root causes.

Additional Context

  • The error shows Exit code: 0, indicating the process terminated normally but the initialization failed.
  • The language server is looking for TypeScript files in a relative path that may not be correctly resolved.
  • The project has TypeScript 5.9.3 in dependencies, but the language server cannot locate it.

The fact that the exit code is 0 suggests that the language server process itself didn't crash but rather exited gracefully after failing to initialize. This points to a configuration or path resolution issue rather than a runtime error. The language server's reliance on a relative path to locate the TypeScript files could be a contributing factor, especially if the current working directory is not what the server expects. Let's look at some possible root causes.

Possible Root Causes

Several factors might contribute to the language server's failure to locate the TypeScript library files. Let's explore some potential root causes:

  1. Incorrect Path Resolution: The language server may not be correctly resolving the path to the project's node_modules/typescript installation. This is a common issue, especially in environments where the project structure is complex or non-standard. The server might be looking in the wrong place for the TypeScript files.
  2. Incomplete TypeScript Installation: The TypeScript package may not be properly installed in the project. This could be due to a failed installation, corrupted files, or incorrect configuration. Ensuring that TypeScript is correctly installed and that all necessary files are present is crucial.
  3. Misconfigured TypeScript Path: The language server may be looking in the wrong directory for TypeScript. This could be due to incorrect settings within the language server configuration or within the IDE itself. Verifying that the language server is configured to look in the correct location for TypeScript is essential.
  4. Windows-Specific Path Issues: There may be a path resolution issue specific to Windows systems. Windows uses backslashes (\) as path separators, while other systems use forward slashes (/). This difference could lead to path resolution problems if the language server is not correctly handling Windows paths.

To address these potential root causes, consider the following troubleshooting steps.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Verify TypeScript Installation

Ensure that TypeScript is correctly installed in your project. You can do this by running npm list typescript or yarn list typescript in your project's root directory. This will show you the installed version of TypeScript and confirm that it is present in your node_modules directory. If TypeScript is not listed, you may need to install it using npm install typescript or yarn add typescript.

2. Check node_modules Directory

Manually inspect the node_modules/typescript/lib/ directory to ensure that typescript.js and tsserverlibrary.js are present. If these files are missing, it indicates a problem with the TypeScript installation. You may need to reinstall TypeScript or try clearing your node_modules directory and reinstalling all dependencies.

3. Configure TypeScript Path in WebStorm

In WebStorm, go to Settings/Preferences | Languages & Frameworks | TypeScript. Ensure that the TypeScript version is set to the correct version and that the path to the TypeScript compiler is correctly configured. You can either use the bundled TypeScript compiler or specify the path to the TypeScript compiler in your project's node_modules directory (node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc).

4. Adjust Language Server Settings

Check the settings for the wc-language-server-jetbrains plugin. There may be an option to specify the path to the TypeScript library files. If such an option exists, make sure it is correctly configured to point to the node_modules/typescript/lib/ directory in your project.

5. Validate Path Resolution

To validate path resolution, especially on Windows, ensure that the paths used by the language server are correctly formatted. You can try using forward slashes (/) instead of backslashes (\) in the path configurations. Additionally, ensure that there are no typos or incorrect characters in the paths.

Workaround Attempted

Before diving into the troubleshooting steps, it's essential to understand what workarounds have already been attempted. This helps avoid redundant efforts and provides insights into what might not be working. In this case, the following workarounds have been attempted:

  • Reinstalling TypeScript dependencies
  • Configuring TypeScript path in WebStorm settings (Languages & Frameworks | TypeScript)
  • Verifying node_modules/typescript/lib/ contains the required files

Since these workarounds have already been tried, it suggests that the issue may be more nuanced than a simple installation or configuration problem. Let's explore more advanced solutions.

Advanced Solutions

1. Clear Caches and Restart

Sometimes, cached data can interfere with the language server's ability to locate the TypeScript files. Try clearing WebStorm's cache and restarting the IDE. You can do this by going to File | Invalidate Caches / Restart... and choosing Invalidate and Restart.

2. Check for Plugin Conflicts

Other plugins installed in WebStorm might be conflicting with the wc-language-server-jetbrains plugin. Try disabling other plugins temporarily to see if that resolves the issue. If disabling a specific plugin fixes the problem, you can then investigate further to determine the exact cause of the conflict.

3. Update WebStorm and Plugins

Ensure that you are using the latest version of WebStorm and the wc-language-server-jetbrains plugin. Outdated software can sometimes have bugs or compatibility issues that cause problems with language server initialization. Check for updates in WebStorm's settings and update any outdated components.

4. Investigate Language Server Logs

The wc-language-server-jetbrains plugin may have its own log files that provide more detailed information about the initialization process and any errors that occur. Check the plugin's documentation or settings to find the location of the log files. Analyzing these logs can provide valuable clues about the root cause of the issue.

5. Adjust Node.js Version

Sometimes, the version of Node.js used by WebStorm can affect the language server's ability to function correctly. Try using a different version of Node.js to see if that resolves the issue. You can configure the Node.js version in WebStorm's settings (Settings/Preferences | Languages & Frameworks | Node.js).

Conclusion

Troubleshooting issues with JetBrains IDEs, particularly when the LSP server fails to initialize due to missing TypeScript library files, can be a complex task. By systematically examining the environment, identifying potential root causes, and applying appropriate troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve the issue and restore language server functionality. Remember to verify TypeScript installation, check the node_modules directory, configure TypeScript paths in WebStorm, adjust language server settings, and validate path resolution. If these steps don't work, consider clearing caches, checking for plugin conflicts, updating WebStorm and plugins, investigating language server logs, and adjusting the Node.js version.

By following this comprehensive guide, you should be well-equipped to diagnose and resolve the "Cannot Find TypeScript Library Files" error in your JetBrains IDE. For more information about Language Server Protocol you can visit Langserver.org