Puppeteer screenshot function failing on certain webpages

Other Questions Puppeteer
1

I’ve got a Node.js app running on Ubuntu that uses Puppeteer to capture screenshots. The problem is that the screenshot function doesn’t work on some webpages. Here’s what I’m using:

async getPageImage() {
  console.log('Starting image capture...');
  try {
    const snapshot = await this.currentPage.screenshot({
      fullPage: true,
      format: 'jpeg'
    });
    console.log('Image captured successfully');
    return snapshot;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Screenshot failed:', error);
  }
}

The weird thing is that there are no error messages in the logs. It just stops working on random pages. Has anyone else run into this issue or know how to fix it?

2

hey alexlee, i’ve had similar issues. try increasing the timeout for page load. also, check if the pages use fancy js frameworks - they can mess with puppeteer. maybe try adding waitUntil: 'networkidle0' to ur page.goto() call. that helped me sometimes. good luck!

3

I’ve dealt with this issue before, and it can be quite tricky. One thing to consider is the viewport size. Sometimes, certain elements don’t render properly if the viewport is too small. Try setting a larger viewport before taking the screenshot:

await page.setViewport({width: 1920, height: 1080});

Another potential solution is to wait for specific elements to load before capturing the screenshot. You can use page.waitForSelector() for this:

await page.waitForSelector('body', {visible: true});

Lastly, ensure you’re running Puppeteer in headless mode. Some websites behave differently when detected as headless browsers. You might need to adjust your launch configuration accordingly.

4

I’ve encountered similar issues with Puppeteer screenshots, and it can be frustrating. In my experience, the problem often stems from dynamic content or lazy-loaded elements on certain pages. One workaround I’ve found effective is to add a delay before taking the screenshot, allowing time for all content to load fully.

Try modifying your function like this:

async getPageImage() {
  console.log('Starting image capture...');
  try {
    await this.currentPage.waitForTimeout(5000); // Add a 5-second delay
    const snapshot = await this.currentPage.screenshot({
      fullPage: true,
      format: 'jpeg'
    });
    console.log('Image captured successfully');
    return snapshot;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Screenshot failed:', error);
  }
}

This delay gives the page more time to load completely. You might need to adjust the timeout duration based on the specific pages you’re dealing with. Additionally, consider implementing a check for network idle before taking the screenshot, which can help ensure all resources have finished loading.