Issues with Chrome Headless Browser on a Particular Website

Other Questions Headless Browser
1

I’m attempting to set up Selenium with Java and utilize the Chrome Headless mode for my project. However, I’m encountering an “element not interactable” error. Despite experimenting with various window size configurations, I haven’t found a solution. Interestingly, the same script runs flawlessly in an interactive Chrome session. Moreover, when I test it on a different website with the same headless settings, it works perfectly. Am I overlooking something? Here’s the code I’ve used for configuring ChromeOptions, along with the error details.

ChromeOptions chromeOptions = new ChromeOptions();
    chromeOptions.addArguments("--width=1920");
    chromeOptions.addArguments("--height=1080");
    chromeOptions.addArguments("--disable-gpu");
    chromeOptions.addArguments("--no-sandbox");
    chromeOptions.addArguments("--headless");
    driver = new ChromeDriver(chromeOptions);

Error Logs:

org.openqa.selenium.ElementNotInteractableException: element not interactable
  (Session info: headless chrome=85.0.4183.121)
Build info: version: '3.141.59', revision: 'e82be7d358', time: '2018-11-14T08:17:03'
System info: host: 'OM', ip: '172.XX.XX.XX', os.name: 'Windows 10', os.arch: 'amd64', os.version: '10.0', java.version: '1.8.0_121'
Driver info: org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver
2

This issue might be caused by how the headless mode renders certain elements differently. Here are some steps you can take to address the "element not interactable" error in headless Chrome:

1. Wait for Elements

Ensure that elements are fully loaded and visible. Utilize Selenium's WebDriverWait to wait for elements.

WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, 10); WebElement element = wait.until(ExpectedConditions.elementToBeClickable(By.id("element_id")));

2. Avoid Hard-Coded Waits

Relying on fixed sleeps can be unreliable. Always prefer dynamic waits as mentioned above.

3. Full-Screen Headless Mode

While you've set specific dimensions, try using full-screen mode to ensure complete rendering.

chromeOptions.addArguments("--start-fullscreen");

4. Check JavaScript Execution

Some interactive elements may rely heavily on JavaScript. Verify if JavaScript is enabled and properly executed.

5. Debugging Tools

Enable Chrome's logs to see network activity or any JavaScript errors that might be affecting rendering:

LoggingPreferences logPrefs = new LoggingPreferences(); logPrefs.enable(LogType.BROWSER, Level.ALL); chromeOptions.setCapability(CapabilityType.LOGGING_PREFS, logPrefs);

Inspect the logs for any discrepancies.

6. Update Drivers and Chrome

Ensure you are using the latest version of Chrome and the ChromeDriver compatible with it.

These steps should help you identify and resolve issues specific to sites in headless mode. Feel free to reach out if the problem persists with more details.

3

Encountering the "element not interactable" error in Chrome Headless mode can be particularly challenging, especially when the same script works in an interactive browser. The headless environment can differ in subtle ways, leading to these issues. Here are some additional steps you can consider:

1. Headless vs. Headful Rendering Differences

Headless Chrome may not always render elements in the same manner as headful (interactive) Chrome. Some websites apply specific CSS or JavaScript behaviors that are only loaded in a fully rendered window. You can try using the --window-size argument to simulate a standard screen dimension:

chromeOptions.addArguments("--window-size=1920,1080");

2. Ensure Element Visibility

Even after waiting, ensure the element is visible on the screen. You can verify this by using JavaScript execution to scroll to the element:

JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver;
js.executeScript("arguments[0].scrollIntoView();", element);

3. Investigate Headless Execution Differences

Sometimes headless execution might skip certain rendering steps. Consider temporarily adding commands like chromeOptions.addArguments("--disable-blink-features=AutomationControlled"); to modify specific Chrome behaviors that might interfere.

4. Utilize Screenshots for Debugging

Capturing screenshots during headless execution can provide insight into how the page is rendered:

File screenshot = ((TakesScreenshot) driver).getScreenshotAs(OutputType.FILE);
FileUtils.copyFile(screenshot, new File("screenshot.png"));

5. Headless Overrides for Specific Elements

If a particular function or feature is not working in headless mode, experiment by toggling any headless-specific flags provided in Chrome, such as --disable-gpu-compositing or other feature toggles.

6. Check WebDriver and Selenium Configuration

Confirm that both your WebDriver and Selenium libraries are up-to-date, reducing compatibility issues between the browser and driver.

These strategies might help pinpoint the rendering or interaction issues occurring specifically in the headless environment. If the issue persists, providing additional logs or insights from network activity might assist in further diagnosis.

4

In headless mode, rendering differences can cause the "element not interactable" error. Here's a streamlined approach to tackle it:

1. Use Dynamic Waits

Ensure elements are interactable by applying WebDriverWait:

WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, 10);
WebElement element = wait.until(ExpectedConditions.elementToBeClickable(By.id("element_id")));

2. Adjust Window Size

Try using --window-size=1920,1080 instead of separate width and height:

chromeOptions.addArguments("--window-size=1920,1080");

3. Capture Screenshots

Take screenshots to identify rendering issues:

File screenshot = ((TakesScreenshot) driver).getScreenshotAs(OutputType.FILE);
FileUtils.copyFile(screenshot, new File("screenshot.png"));

4. Review JavaScript Execution

Ensure that site scripts run correctly by verifying JavaScript execution through scrolling to elements:

JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver;
js.executeScript("arguments[0].scrollIntoView();", element);

5. Disable Automation Features

Add this argument to handle automated behavior flags:

chromeOptions.addArguments("--disable-blink-features=AutomationControlled");

These steps aim to resolve differences in how headless Chrome interprets and interacts with web pages. Updating to the latest versions of Chrome and WebDriver might also aid in resolving compatibility issues.

5

Running into 'element not interactable' errors in Chrome Headless mode can indeed be tricky due to the subtle differences in how pages are rendered compared to a standard Chrome window. Here's a focused strategy to handle such issues efficiently:

1. Apply Dynamic Waits

Elements might not be fully loaded. Use WebDriverWait to ensure they are ready for interaction:

WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, 10);
WebElement element = wait.until(ExpectedConditions.elementToBeClickable(By.id("element_id")));

2. Optimize Window Size

Instead of separate width and height, try setting a combined window size to simulate full screen:

chromeOptions.addArguments("--window-size=1920,1080");

3. Enable Debugging Tools

Activate browser logs to track any JavaScript errors or network issues affecting rendering:

LoggingPreferences logPrefs = new LoggingPreferences();
logPrefs.enable(LogType.BROWSER, Level.ALL);
chromeOptions.setCapability(CapabilityType.LOGGING_PREFS, logPrefs);

4. Capture and Analyze Screenshots

Screenshots can help identify rendering discrepancies:

File screenshot = ((TakesScreenshot) driver).getScreenshotAs(OutputType.FILE);
FileUtils.copyFile(screenshot, new File("screenshot.png"));

5. Check JavaScript Dependency

Use JavaScript to ensure elements are within the viewport:

JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver;
js.executeScript("arguments[0].scrollIntoView();", element);

6. Tweak Headless Chrome Configuration

For specific rendering issues, consider disabling certain automated features:

chromeOptions.addArguments("--disable-blink-features=AutomationControlled");

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue with headless mode. Always ensure your Chrome and ChromeDriver versions are updated to avoid compatibility problems.