How to Fix the AttributeError: 'Options' object has no attribute 'set_headless' in Selenium

Learn how to resolve the AttributeError related to Selenium's headless options on macOS Big Sur and scrape websites effectively using Python.
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Understanding the Problem: Selenium's Headless Mode Error

If you are working with Selenium in Python to scrape web content, you may encounter common errors that interrupt your coding experience. One such frequent issue is the AttributeError: 'Options' object has no attribute 'set_headless'. This occurs when you try to set the Chrome browser to run in headless mode but use the wrong method and imports in your code.

This guide will walk you through the error message you’re facing, provide the correct code to resolve it, and enable your web scraping project to run smoothly on your macOS Big Sur. Let's dive in!

The Error Message Explained

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This indicates that the Options class you are using does not have a method named set_headless. As of the latest versions of Selenium, the method to run Chrome in headless mode has changed, which is why the error occurs.

Steps to Solve the Issue

To resolve this problem, you'll need to modify the way you initialize the Chrome options in your code. Here are the steps:

1. Use the Correct Import

Ensure you import the correct Options class for handling Chrome options. Update your import statement to include an alias for clarity:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

2. Setting Options for Headless Mode

Instead of using set_headless(), you will now add a command line argument to run Chrome in headless mode. Update your code to look like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Alternatively, if you prefer to stick with Options, you can also do the following:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

3. Full Example Code

Here’s what your final implementation should look like:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

4. Run the Script

Now that you've updated your code, run the script again. This time, it should execute without raising the AttributeError, and you’ll be able to scrape the desired content from the website seamlessly.

Conclusion

Errors like AttributeError: 'Options' object has no attribute 'set_headless' can be frustrating, but they are part of the learning curve when working with new libraries and updates. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will not only fix this issue, but also enhance your understanding of using Selenium for web scraping in Python.

If you're still encountering issues or have any further questions, feel free to drop a comment below. Happy coding!