Some website issues do not produce visible error messages on the page itself. Instead, the browser stores technical details in a built-in tool called the browser console. Support teams may ask for console errors when investigating problems such as broken functionality, failed logins, missing content, or scripts that do not load correctly.
The browser console is part of your browser’s developer tools. It displays messages generated by websites, scripts, and network requests, which can help identify the source of a problem.
Table of Contents
Before you begin
To capture useful console errors, it is important to record the messages while reproducing the issue.
Before opening the console, make sure that:
- You know which action triggers the problem.
- You can reproduce the issue consistently.
- You are using the same browser and device where the problem occurs.
How to open the browser console
Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Opera
- Open the page where the issue occurs.
- Press F12 or Ctrl + Shift + I on Windows and Linux.
- Press ⌘ + Option + I on macOS.
- Select the Console tab.
Mozilla Firefox
- Open the page where the issue occurs.
- Press F12 or Ctrl + Shift + K on Windows and Linux.
- Press ⌘ + Option + K on macOS.
- Select the Console tab if it is not already visible.
Safari
- Open Safari.
- Go to Safari → Settings → Advanced.
- Enable Show features for web developers.
- Open the affected page.
- Press ⌥ + ⌘ + C to open the console.
How to record the error
- Open the browser console.
- Reload the page.
- Repeat the action that causes the problem.
- Wait for any new messages to appear.
- Take a screenshot of the console or copy the relevant messages.
Whenever possible, include:
- The full browser window.
- The website address.
- The exact error messages shown in the console.
- The time when the issue occurred.
The article How to take a useful screenshot for support might help you do this in case you don’t know what to include in the screenshot.
How to copy console messages
Many browsers allow you to copy console entries directly.
- Right-click inside the console.
- Select Copy, Copy message, or Save as, depending on your browser.
- Paste the information into your support request.
If copying is not available, send a screenshot instead.
Which messages are useful
The browser console may display warnings, informational messages, and errors. Support teams are usually interested in messages marked as errors, especially those shown in red.
Examples include:
- Failed network requests.
- JavaScript errors.
- Missing files.
- Permission errors.
- Security or certificate warnings.
Do not delete or rewrite console messages before sending them, as even small details can help identify the cause of the problem.
What to expect
Console messages do not always indicate the exact cause of an issue. Some errors are generated by browser extensions, security software, or third-party services rather than the website itself.
Support may ask for additional information, such as screenshots, the browser version, or the steps needed to reproduce the problem. Providing console errors helps preserve technical context and can make troubleshooting more efficient.