--- title: "How to Refresh Models in LM Studio (Fix \"No model loaded\")" description: "A practical guide to refresh models in LM Studio, rescan your model list, and fix the \"No model loaded\" error in apps like RewriteBar." url: "https://rewritebar.com/blog/2026/how-to-refresh-models-in-lm-studio-and-fix-no-model-loaded" --- [Tutorials](https://rewritebar.com/blog/category/tutorial "Posts in Tutorials")February 10, 2026 # How to Refresh Models in LM Studio (Fix "No model loaded") A practical guide to refresh models in LM Studio, rescan your model list, and fix the "No model loaded" error in apps like RewriteBar. ![How to refresh models in LM Studio and fix no model loaded](https://rewritebar.com/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fimmutable%2Fmedia%2Flm-studio-refresh-models.1ju27k0h146kj.jpg&w=1920&q=75) ## Why this matters You already downloaded a model in LM Studio, but your app still says `No model loaded` or shows an empty model list. That is frustrating, and it blocks your workflow right away. This guide gives you a direct path to fix it in a few minutes. --- ## Quick answer: how to refresh models in LM Studio If your app does not show newly downloaded models, run this checklist in order: 1. Open LM Studio and confirm the model is downloaded. 2. Start the local server in LM Studio (default: `http://localhost:1234`). 3. In your app, verify `base URL` points to `http://localhost:1234/v1`. 4. Click your app's `Refresh Models` button. 5. Re-select the model in your app settings. 6. Send a small test prompt. If it still fails, go through the troubleshooting steps below. --- ## What “refresh models” actually does Most apps that integrate with LM Studio use the OpenAI-compatible endpoint: - `GET /v1/models` When you click `Refresh Models`, the app usually calls that endpoint and rebuilds its dropdown from the response. That means model refresh problems are often one of these: - LM Studio server is not running - app is using the wrong base URL - model list changed but app cache was not refreshed - model is downloaded but not selected for generation - JIT model loading is off, so only loaded-in-memory models appear in `/v1/models` --- ## Step-by-step fix for “No model loaded” ### 1\. Confirm LM Studio server is running In LM Studio, open the local server panel and start the server. Default address: - `http://localhost:1234` If you changed the port, use your custom one in every connected app. ### 2\. Check the base URL in your app For OpenAI-compatible integrations, use: - `http://localhost:1234/v1` A common mismatch is using `/api/v1` in an app that expects OpenAI-style endpoints. ### 3\. Verify models are visible from the API Run in Terminal: ```bash curl http://localhost:1234/v1/models ``` If you get a valid model list, the issue is app-side configuration. If the response is empty or the request fails, the issue is inside LM Studio setup. ### 4\. Load or auto-load a model Depending on your LM Studio setup, a request can fail if no model is ready for generation. Pick a model in LM Studio, then test again. If your app can only see some models, check LM Studio Server Settings: - `Just in Time Model Loading` ON: `/v1/models` can include all downloaded models - `Just in Time Model Loading` OFF: `/v1/models` lists only models already loaded into memory ### 5\. Refresh inside your app Back in your app (for example RewriteBar): - click `Refresh Models` - choose the model again - save provider settings - run a short rewrite test ### 6\. Restart only what is needed If the model list still looks stale: - stop and start LM Studio server - refresh model list in app - restart the app only if the list still does not change --- ## “Refresh models” vs “rescan models” You might see different labels in different apps: - `refresh button models` - `refresh model list` - `rescan models` They usually mean the same thing: - fetch an up-to-date list from `GET /v1/models` - rebind app state to the current model IDs So if one button does not work, try the equivalent action in the same settings screen. --- ## Advanced check (LM Studio native API) LM Studio now has native REST endpoints too. If you need richer model state details, check: - `GET /api/v1/models` This can help debug loaded instances and model metadata when OpenAI-compatible integrations feel opaque. --- ## RewriteBar users: fastest path If you are connecting RewriteBar to LM Studio: 1. Open RewriteBar provider settings. 2. Set URL to `http://localhost:1234/v1`. 3. Click `Refresh Models`. 4. Select your preferred local model. 5. Click `Verify and Enable`. If the model dropdown is empty, test `curl http://localhost:1234/v1/models` first. That tells you right away if the root issue is server-side or app-side. --- ## FAQ ### Why do I see “No model loaded” even after download? A downloaded model is not always active for generation. Start the local server, select a model, then refresh models in your app. ### Does LM Studio “refresh models” read local files directly? Most client apps do not read your model folder. They call LM Studio API endpoints and trust that response. ### Which endpoint should I test first? Start with: - `GET /v1/models` If that works, your app can usually populate the model list. ### My app shows old model names. What should I do? Refresh the model list in-app, then reselect the model and save settings. If stale names remain, restart LM Studio server and refresh again. --- ## Final takeaway Most refresh issues come down to three checks: 1. LM Studio server is running. 2. Your app uses `http://localhost:1234/v1`. 3. Your app refreshes the list after model changes. If those three are correct, model selection usually works right away. If you want a local-first writing workflow after setup, you can [download RewriteBar](https://rewritebar.com/#pricing) and run your text rewrites with LM Studio models in your daily apps.