Cannot Connect to Simulator Error

I have installed Connect IQ SDK (running version 8.3.0), I have created the sample watch face app (as for Garmin IQ Connect documentation) in Visual Studio Code (version 1.105.1).

I can successfully build the project - but I cannot run the application.
When I try to run the application in the simulator, the simulator starts but it does not launch any device, and I get an error: Cannot Connect to Simulator.

Things I tried:

  • Read many forum and internet threads on this topic (couldn't find any silver bullet solution)
  • Deactivated my firewall and/or provided Simulator.exe proper networking permissions (common culprit mentioned in forum threads)
  • Ask VS Code AI to address the issue (spin off in a circling of system commands without addressing the issue)
  • Various types of cursing, in multiple languages 

Yet, I was not able to solve the problem.

I would appreciate some guidance to make this work.

Thx