[Bug]: LaunchOptions from .runsettings are not applied when running tests via Visual Studio Test Explorer

[saalmi098]

Version

1.58.0

Steps to reproduce

1. Clone my repo at https://github.com/saalmi098/PlaywrightSlowMoRepro

2. Test via command line (SlowMo works):

   dotnet test

   Expected: Browser opens with visible 2-second delays between each action
   Result: SlowMo works correctly

3. Test via Visual Studio (SlowMo doesn't work):

   • Open PlaywrightSlowMoRepro.sln in Visual Studio
   • Open Test Explorer View
   • Run the existing test

   Expected: Browser opens with visible 2-second delays between each action
   Result: SlowMo is ignored - actions execute at normal speed

Expected behavior

The LaunchOptions (including SlowMo, Headless etc.) configured in the .runsettings file should be applied when running tests through Visual Studio Test Explorer, the same way they are applied when running via dotnet test.

Actual behavior

• The .runsettings file is detected and loaded by Visual Studio
• Environment variables from <RunConfiguration>/<EnvironmentVariables> in .runsettings work correctly in both VS Test Explorer and dotnet test
• Playwright-specific settings from the <Playwright> section (like LaunchOptions) are completely ignored when running via VS Test Explorer --> no SlowMo delay between browser actions
• The same .runsettings file works perfectly with dotnet test --> SlowMo delay works fine

Visual Studio Test Output confirms the runsettings are loaded:

Using runsettings file C:\Workspaces\Git\PlaywrightSlowMoRepro\tests.runsettings
Tests run settings for TestAssembly.dll:
<RunSettings>
  <Playwright>
    <BrowserName>chromium</BrowserName>
    <LaunchOptions>
      <SlowMo>1000</SlowMo>
      <Headless>false</Headless>
    </LaunchOptions>
  </Playwright>
</RunSettings>

Despite the settings being present in the processed runsettings, the browser launches at normal speed in VS Test Explorer.

Additional context

Looking at the PlaywrightSettingsProvider implementation, it implements ISettingsProvider and registers itself with:

[ExtensionUri("settings://playwright")]
[SettingsName("Playwright")]
public class PlaywrightSettingsProvider : ISettingsProvider
{    
    public static void LoadViaEnvIfNeeded()
    {
        if (_settings == null)
        {
            var settings = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("PW_INTERNAL_ADAPTER_SETTINGS");
            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(settings))
            {
                _settings = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<PlaywrightSettingsXml>(settings);
            }
            else
            {
                _settings = new PlaywrightSettingsXml();
            }
        }
    }

    public void Load(XmlReader reader)
    {
        _settings = new PlaywrightSettingsXml(reader);
        Environment.SetEnvironmentVariable("PW_INTERNAL_ADAPTER_SETTINGS", JsonSerializer.Serialize(_settings));
    }
}

The Load(XmlReader reader) method appears not to be invoked when running through Visual Studio's test platform, while it works correctly in the dotnet test execution path. This suggests the settings provider registration may not be properly recognized by Visual Studio's test adapter infrastructure.

Is there a specific registration step required for ISettingsProvider implementations to work with Visual Studio Test Explorer, or is this a known limitation with the xUnit v3 adapter integration?

Environment

- Operating System: Windows 11
- CPU: x64
- Browser: Chromium
- .NET Version (TFM): net10.0
- Visual Studio Professional 2026: v18.4.0
- Packages
  - Microsoft.Playwright: v1.58.0
  - Microsoft.Playwright.Xunit.v3: v1.58.0
  - xunit.v3: v3.2.2

[hubertbrzostowskiarion]

I'm having the same issue and I've tried all Microsoft.Playwright.Xunit.v3 versions