VS2012: Property Pages isn't opening: Object reference not set to an instance of an object

visual-studio-2012 projects-and-solutions nullreferenceexception
jamiebarrow picture jamiebarrow · Sep 21, 2012 · Viewed 11.3k times · Source

I'm on Visual Studio Premium 2012, Version 11.0.50727.1 RTMREL, Windows 7 Enterprise (SP1).

When I right click on the Solution, and click Properties, I get a popup window showing the the null reference exception (Object reference not set to an instance of an object).

When I try the same in 2010, it works fine, opening up the normal solution properties pages, allowing me to set the startup order etc.

Also, in 2012, View -> Property Pages, gives the same result.

Please advise how to solve this, is this a known bug?

UPDATE 1: Tried running devenv /resetsettings as well as devenv /safemode but the problem persists. Also tried it on a new solution, and the problem persists.

UPDATE 2: Seems that disabling any extension, and trying again, sorts out the issue. Re-enabling extension doesn't bring the bug back.

UPDATE 3: Go vote here if you're still having this issue: https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/763961/cannot-open-property-pages-for-solution

Answer

kevin_fitz picture kevin_fitz · Oct 2, 2012

This happened to me as well. If you have ReSharper installed, try disabling it (Tools -> Options -> ReSharper -> General -> Suspend and restart VS2012. If you do not have ReSharper installed, I'm afraid I have no idea.

After seeing some comments here, and running into it myself, it appears that disabling Re-Sharper doesn't always fix the issue. However, if you disable, restart, re-enable 'other' add ons, the issue will eventually go away temporarily. The next time visual studio opens, you will likely be in the same spot.

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