---
title: "check_stack pragma"
ms.date: "08/29/2019"
f1_keywords: ["vc-pragma.check_stack", "check_stack_CPP"]
helpviewer_keywords: ["check_stack pragma", "pragmas, check_stack", "pragmas, check_stack usage table"]
ms.assetid: f18e20cc-9abb-48b7-ad62-8d384875b996
---
# check_stack pragma

Instructs the compiler to turn off stack probes if **off** (or **-**) is specified, or to turn on stack probes if **on** (or **+**) is specified.

## Syntax

> **#pragma check_stack(** [{ **on** | **off** }] **)**\
> **#pragma check_stack** { **+** | **-** }

## Remarks

This pragma takes effect at the first function defined after the pragma is seen. Stack probes are neither a part of macros nor of functions that are generated inline.

If you don't give an argument for the **check_stack** pragma, stack checking reverts to the behavior specified on the command line. For more information, see [Compiler options](../build/reference/compiler-options.md). The interaction of the `#pragma check_stack` and the [/Gs](../build/reference/gs-control-stack-checking-calls.md) option is summarized in the following table.

### Using the check_stack Pragma

|Syntax|Compiled with<br /><br /> /Gs option?|Action|
|------------|------------------------------------|------------|
|`#pragma check_stack( )` or<br /><br /> `#pragma check_stack`|Yes|Turns off stack checking for functions that follow|
|`#pragma check_stack( )` or<br /><br /> `#pragma check_stack`|No|Turns on stack checking for functions that follow|
|`#pragma check_stack(on)`<br /><br /> or `#pragma check_stack +`|Yes or No|Turns on stack checking for functions that follow|
|`#pragma check_stack(off)`<br /><br /> or `#pragma check_stack -`|Yes or No|Turns off stack checking for functions that follow|

## See also

[Pragma directives and the __pragma keyword](../preprocessor/pragma-directives-and-the-pragma-keyword.md)