How do I move from Tests Explorer to my code using Go To Code?

Question

How do I move from Tests Explorer to my code using Go To Code?

Daniel Shitrit 0

Hi,

Please look on:

https://app.screencast.com/M0S7MDU6bVP9T

When test failed, I right click on tests and pressed "Go To Test", but is not working ? why ?

Thanks in advance,

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3 answers

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Answer 1

Varsha Dundigalla(INFOSYS LIMITED) 4,785 Microsoft External Staff

Thank you for reaching out.
The issue is not that the test or framework is wrong. The tests are running and failing correctly, which means Visual Studio can discover and execute them.

The real problem is that Visual Studio is unable to link the test result shown in Test Explorer back to the actual test file in the project. When you click Go to Test or Go to Code, Visual Studio does not know which source file to open, so nothing happens.

This link between the test result and the source file is created during build and test discovery. If that information is missing, outdated, or not refreshed, Test Explorer can still show and run tests, but navigation to the test code will not work.

So, the issue is only with navigation from Test Explorer to the test source, not with running the tests themselves or with xUnit.

Reference:

Test Explorer – Run unit tests and navigate to code https://dori-uw-1.kuma-moon.com/visualstudio/test/run-unit-tests-with-test-explorer (Explains that Test Explorer relies on test discovery metadata to link test results back to source files for navigation.)
Debug symbols (PDB files) and source navigation https://dori-uw-1.kuma-moon.com/visualstudio/debugger/specify-symbol-dot-pdb-and-source-files-in-the-visual-studio-debugger (Explains that Visual Studio uses symbols to map execution results back to source code.)

Please let us know if you require any further assistance, we’re happy to help. If you found this information useful, kindly mark this as "Accept Answer". So that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

Dani_S 5,581 Reputation points

2025-12-29T16:10:43.0266667+00:00

So what to do, i can't navigate from tests to code?
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-12-31T05:41:23.8533333+00:00

Thank you for reaching out!

Please clean and rebuild the solution, ensure debug symbols are enabled, and delete the .vs, bin, and obj folders to reset Test Explorer cache.

After rebuilding and running the tests once, Go To Test should navigate correctly to the source code.

Let me know if you need any further help with this. I will be happy to assist. If you find this helpful, Kindly mark the provided solution as "Accept Answer", so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.
Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-31T08:17:27.2666667+00:00

Hi,

I did what you asked/

I cleaned and rebuilded the solution, and ensured debug symbols that are enabled, and deleted the .vs, bin, and obj folders to reset Test Explorer cache.

But it is not working , please see

https://app.screencast.com/7mmIpuwBa8wnY

Thanks,
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2026-01-01T10:41:59.0233333+00:00

Thank you for reaching out!

Since clean/rebuild and symbol reset did not help, this is known Visual Studio + xUnit limitation. Tests can run, but the xUnit adapter does not always provide source mapping, so Go to Test does nothing.

This commonly happens with theory/data-driven tests or in VB.NET projects.
Recommended workarounds are Open Test File, searching the test name (ctrl+T), or Debug Test, which always open the source.

At the moment, I'm unable to access the screencast. As mentioned earlier, the link does not seem to be accessible from my side.

Reference: https://dori-uw-1.kuma-moon.com/en-us/visualstudio/test/run-unit-tests-with-test-explorer?view=visualstudio

Let me know if you need any further help with this. I will be happy to assist.
If you find this helpful, Kindly mark the provided solution as "Accept Answer", so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.
Dani_S 5,581 Reputation points

2026-01-01T11:07:43.1033333+00:00

I'm using C#, is better you inform on bug on this issue? I'm using C# not VB.NET

@Michael Le (WICLOUD CORPORATION) do you have this issue in your side ?

Thanks,
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2026-01-02T09:56:03.0866667+00:00

Thank you for reaching out!

This is a known Visual Studio + XUnit adapter issue that affects C# as well.

Test run correctly, but the adapter does not always provide source location metadata, so Go To Test cannot navigate to code.

This is known limitation , and the recommended workaround is Debug Test, Open Test File, or searching the test method directly.

Let me know if you need any further help with this. I will be happy to assist. If you find this helpful, Kindly mark the provided solution as "Accept Answer", so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.
Dani_S 5,581 Reputation points

2026-01-02T10:02:04.87+00:00

Thank you very much Susmitha.

You are a very professional programmer.

Happy new Year.
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2026-01-02T10:17:15.5033333+00:00

Thank you for your kind feedback. I truly appreciate it.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year as well!
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2026-01-05T08:37:54.7566667+00:00

Hi @Daniel Shitrit , hope you’re doing well. We’re following up on this thread to check if the issue is still occurring or has been resolved. If it has been resolved, kindly mark the answer as accepted. We will proceed with thread closure by 6th January.
Looking forward to your response
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2026-01-06T05:37:07.6366667+00:00

As we haven’t received any further updates or follow-up on this thread, we will be proceeding with thread closure. If you need additional assistance or have new information to share, please feel free to post a new thread. We’ll be happy to support you further as needed.

Answer 2

Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Microsoft External Staff

Thank you for reaching out!

Reason: "Go to Test/ Go To code" doesn't work when debug symbols or the test adapter doesn't loaded correctly, or when Test Explorer cache is corrupted.

Fix:

Switch to Debug configuration

Clean and rebuild the solution

Ensure the correct test adapter (MSTest/Nunit/xUnit)

Close Visual Studio and reopen it, then rerun tests

After this, Go to Test should navigate to the test code.

Let me know if you need any further help with this. I will be happy to assist.
If you find this helpful, Kindly mark the provided solution as "Accept Answer", so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-12-23T10:26:24.1733333+00:00

Hi, hope you’re doing well. We’re following up on this thread to check if the issue is still occurring or has been resolved. If it has been resolved, kindly mark the answer as accepted. We will proceed with thread closure by 25th December.

Looking forward to your response.
Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-23T11:51:16.0566667+00:00
I do not understand your fix:

Fix:

Switch to Debug configuration

Clean and rebuild the solution

Ensure the correct test adapter (MSTest/Nunit/xUnit)

Close Visual Studio and reopen it, then rerun tests
Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-23T11:51:50.75+00:00

Can you please add a screencast , how to make the fix ?
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-12-24T12:46:50.9233333+00:00
Thank you for reaching out!

Why Go to Test/ Go to Code is not working:

This usually happens because Visual Studio has not loaded the test information correctly (build symbols, test adapter, or cache). When that happens, Test Explorer cannot link the failed test back to the source file.

Step-by-step fix:

1.Switch to Debug configuration: At the top of visual studio, find the dropdown that says release or debug.

Select Debug

This ensures Visual Studio generated symbol files needed for navigation.

2.Clean the solution:

Go to Build menu

Click clean solution

Wait until completed

3.Rebuild the solution:

Go to Build menu

click Rebuild solution

This reloads test metadata and symbols

4.Make sure the correct test framework is installed:

Check which test framework you are using:

MS Test

NUnit

xUnit

Then:

Open Solution Explorer

Expand Dependencies/ References

Confirm the matching test adapter package is present (for example: MSTest.TestAdapter, NUnit3TestAdapter, or xunit.runner.visualstudio )

5.Restart Visual Studio:

Close Visual Studio completely

Reopen the solution

Open Test Explorer

Run the tests again

After this:

Right-click the failed test in Test Explorer

Select Go to Test or Go to Code

Visual Studio should now navigate to the test source file

About the screencast: Visual studio does not provide a built-in screencast for this scenario.

The steps above are the official and recommended troubleshooting process to restore Test Explore navigation.

Let me know if you need any further help with this. I will be happy to assist.
If you find this helpful, Kindly mark the provided solution as "Accept Answer", so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.
Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-24T13:19:49.96+00:00

Please see is not working:

https://app.screencast.com/H11xsUldvZ5Rv

What do I miss?

Thanks in advance,
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-12-24T13:33:51.0933333+00:00

I am unable to access the screencast you attached. Could you please share it again? I am seeing can't reach this page error.
Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-24T15:07:50.2366667+00:00

Please see:

https://app.screencast.com/QnKyMUapel3zN
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-12-25T12:33:48.9866667+00:00

Thank you for sharing the details. Unfortunately, I’m unable to access the screencast. Could you please share it in another format, such as a screenshot?
Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-25T13:19:03.3066667+00:00

https://app.screencast.com/6UclJKFSeAMuy

A new screencast.
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-12-26T06:55:04.82+00:00

Thank you for your response.

When I click on the screencast link, I get a "can't reach this page" error.

Could you please let us know if you have tried the troubleshooting steps provided earlier? Also, please share the file in a different format or specify the issue you are facing so we can help you further.
Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-26T07:28:40.3866667+00:00

Hi Susmitha;

I clicked on the link and its opened.

Please look, its open, if not copy it and past on your brower.

Let me know your results.
Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-26T07:28:59.53+00:00

https://app.screencast.com/6UclJKFSeAMuy

A new screencast.
Susmitha T (INFOSYS LIMITED) 2,690 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-12-26T08:31:20.0766667+00:00

Hi Yes, I have tried copying and pasting the link in the browser, and I also tried using a private window, but I still can't open it.
Could you please the recording using an alternative for example, MP4 file.
Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-28T14:37:15.45+00:00

Hi Susmitha,

When I press, Go To Test, is not moving to code as expected , why ?

Thanks,

Answer 3

To move from Test Explorer to your code using the "Go To Test" feature in Visual Studio, you typically right-click on the test that has failed and select "Go To Test". This should navigate you directly to the corresponding test code. If this is not working, it could be due to a few reasons:

Test Not Found: Ensure that the test is correctly associated with the code. If the test is not properly linked to the code, the navigation may not function as expected.
Visual Studio Configuration: Sometimes, settings or extensions in Visual Studio can interfere with navigation features. Check if any extensions are affecting this functionality.
Visual Studio Version: Ensure you are using a version of Visual Studio that supports this feature. Updates or patches may also resolve any bugs related to navigation.

If you continue to experience issues, consider checking the Visual Studio documentation or forums for troubleshooting specific to your version and setup.

References:

Daniel Shitrit 0 Reputation points

2025-12-19T06:40:08.6866667+00:00

No is not working.

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How do I move from Tests Explorer to my code using Go To Code?

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