Xdebug doesn't show up as a module - xdebug

Question

System:
OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Version 10.0.19041 Build 19041
dll location and version:
C:\xampp\php\ext\php_xdebug-2.9.8-7.4-vc15-x86_64.dll
php.ini info:
C:\xampp\php\php.ini
[XDebug]
zend_extension = C:\xampp\php\ext\php_xdebug-2.9.8-7.4-vc15-x86_64.dll
phpinfo():
This program makes use of the Zend Scripting Language Engine: Zend
Engine v3.4.0, Copyright (c) Zend Technologies
with Xdebug v2.9.8, Copyright (c) 2002-2020, by Derick Rethans
php -v output:
PHP 7.4.3 (cli) (built: Feb 18 2020 17:29:57) ( NTS Visual C++ 2017 x64 )
Copyright (c) The PHP Group
Zend Engine v3.4.0, Copyright (c) Zend Technologies
When I run php -m, the output is
[PHP Modules]
(a bunch of modules, but no xdebug)
[Zend Modules]
(empty)
Where do I go from here?

Answer 1

I would bet your php_xdebug-2.9.8-7.4-vc15-x86_64.dll is just not compatible with your PHP.
Double check if you don't see anywhere something like
Failed loading C:\xampp\php\ext\php_xdebug-2.9.8-7.4-vc15-x86_64.dll
Also check if your edited php.ini is really used by your php binary.
In my Windows box I have zend_extension=php_xdebug-2.9.8-7.4-vc15-x86_64.dll in php.ini and PHP 7.4.10 (cli) ( ZTS Visual C++ 2017 x64 ) and it works like charm.
Check NTS vs ZTS. Maybe you should use php_xdebug-2.9.8-7.4-vc15-nts-x86_64.dll