Solving the unknown error: Chrome failed to start Issue on CodeFresh with Selenium

Learn how to fix the `Chrome failed to start` error while running Selenium tests on CodeFresh. Simple steps to enhance your test stability!
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Fixing the Chrome failed to start Error in CodeFresh with Selenium

Running automated tests can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, especially when unexpected errors pop up. One such error commonly encountered by developers is the notorious unknown error: Chrome failed to start: exited abnormally when executing Selenium tests in CodeFresh. If you've stumbled upon this issue, fear not! In this guide, we'll dissect the problem and provide a straightforward solution that has helped many developers.

Understanding the Issue

This error typically surfaces during test runs, causing frustration as it disrupts the testing process. Here’s a brief overview of the symptoms of this error:

Error Message: unknown error: Chrome failed to start: exited abnormally

Common trigger: Random failures, often occurring once every 10 test runs.

Potential causes:

Chrome not launching properly.

Issues related to the DevToolsActivePort file.

Aborted sessions due to crashes.

Error Details

When a test fails, you might see a stack trace like the following:

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

This indicates that Chrome begins loading, but then fails, which leads to Selenium assuming that Chrome has crashed. Additionally, the error session deleted because of page crash might appear, which can further exacerbate the issue.

Solution: Simplifying the Test Environment

After encountering this problematic behavior, a simple yet effective solution emerged. It involves modifying the Chrome options in your Selenium setup.

Step-by-step Fix

Here’s how you can address the issue:

Modify ChromeOptions: Add a specific Chrome option to your test setup:

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

This command helps Chrome manage memory better by disabling the use of the shared memory space on Linux environments. It’s particularly useful on systems like CodeFresh where resources may be limited.

Test Your Changes: Rerun your tests after making the above change. Many users have reported that this adjustment significantly reduces the frequency of the Chrome startup failures, leading to a more stable testing environment.

Continuous Monitoring: Keep an eye on the test runs to ensure that the issue is resolved. As a best practice, document any further issues that arise, as they could provide insights into other underlying problems.

Conclusion

Dealing with Selenium test failures due to Chrome startup issues can be challenging. However, with the right configuration and understanding of your toolset, you can greatly improve the stability of your tests. By adding the line to disable shared memory usage, you should see an improvement in your Selenium tests run on CodeFresh.

If you face similar issues in the future, remember to review the resources available and engage with the community. Happy testing, and may your Selenium tests run smoothly from here on out!