Creating a HAR File - Chrome Diagnostics

HAR Files are HTTP Archive files that can get you diagnostics information about your browser session. I used this file to tell me why I was having issues playing video files from my google drive.

Chrome

You can record your HTTP session using the Network tab in the Developer Tools in Chrome.

1- Open the Developer Tools from the menu -Menu - Tools - developer tools-, or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C on your keyboard
2- Click on the Network tab
3- Look for a round button at the top left of the Network tab. Make sure it is red. If it is grey, click it once to start recording.
4- Check the box next to Preserve log.
5- You can use the clear button -a circle with a diagonal line through it- right before trying to reproduce the issue to remove unnecessary header information
6- Save the capture by right-clicking on the grid and choosing "Save as HAR with Content"

[zephans]

Wow. Thanks Steven Cecil. This is a super-useful quick walk (not run) through capturing a HAR file in less than 2 minutes. The second 1.5 minutes is a super-brief example of analyzing... which is extra bonus (and obviously just the tip of the iceberg).

TIP#1: If you don't know how to analyze Http ARchive "traces" that is fine. Capture the issue following first 1:45 of this video then send the .HAR to a friend, colleague, or company so they can help solve the problem for you.

TIP#2: Pressing F12 key will also open developer tools (in most browsers). Then click Network tab to get to same location.

TIP#3: If you only get one request+response session or the history disappears then make sure you have enabled "Preserve Log" (per 1:03).

[hectorserrano]

Could you please do a video explaining how to interpret them?
I'd encourage you to do that as there is not explanation on any other channels at all. Not even in the Google developer's channel (official).

Hope you do one soon!