Frequent Browser Errors and How to Resolve Them

The browser is one application we use most often to surf the internet, whether for work, study, or entertainment. However, browsers can also experience various problems that interfere with our performance and experience. What are the common browser errors and how to solve them? Here are some examples and solutions.

1. Slow Performance and Speed

One of the most annoying problems is when our browser runs slow and consumes a lot of resources. Several factors can cause this, such as:

Weak or unstable internet connection.

You can check your internet speed by using sites like Speedtest or Fast. If your internet speed is low, you can try a few things, such as:

Check your cables and router, and make sure there is no damage or interference.
Contact your internet service provider and report the problem you’re experiencing.
Change the location or device you used to access the internet.

Outdated version of the browser.

You should always update your browser to the latest version, as older versions can have bugs, security flaws, or features that are incompatible with the latest website. You can check your browser version by:

In Chrome, open the menu and select Help > About Google Chrome. If there’s an update available, you can download and install it automatically.
In Firefox, open the menu and select About Firefox. If there’s an update available, you can download and install it automatically.
In Edge, open the menu and select Help & Feedback > About Microsoft Edge. If there’s an update available, you can download and install it automatically.
In Safari, open the Safari menu and choose About Safari. If there’s an update available, you can download and install it through the App Store.

Too many extensions or add-ons or have problems.

Extensions or add-ons are additional programs that can improve the functionality and features of your browser, but can also cause conflicts, errors, or slow down the performance of your browser. You can try disabling or removing extensions or add-ons that you don’t need or that are suspicious by:

In Chrome, open the menu and select More Tools > Extensions. You can see a list of extensions you have and disable or remove the ones you want by clicking the corresponding button.
In Firefox, open the menu and select Add-ons. You can see a list of add-ons you have and disable or remove the ones you want by clicking the corresponding button.
In Edge, open the menu and select Extensions. You can see a list of extensions you have and disable or remove the ones you want by clicking the corresponding button.
In Safari, open the Safari menu and choose Preferences > Extensions. You can see a list of extensions you have and disable or remove the ones you want by clicking the corresponding button.

Too much cache and cookies or corrupted.

Cache and cookies are temporary data stored by your browser to speed up the loading process of websites you visit frequently. However, caches and cookies can also store incorrect, outdated, or malicious data that can interfere with your browser’s performance. You can clear your cache and cookies by:

In Chrome, open the menu and select Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data. You can select the time range and type of data you want to delete, and then click Clear Data.
In Firefox, open the menu and select Preferences > Privacy &; Security > Clear Data. You can select the type of data you want to delete, then click Delete.
In Edge, open the menu and select Settings > Privacy and Services > Select What to Delete under Clear Browsing Data. You can select the time range and type of data you want to delete, and then click Delete Now.
In Safari, open the Safari menu and select Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data. You can select the website for which you want to clear its cache data and cookies, and then click Clear or Clear All.

If the steps above don’t work, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling your browser. This can help resolve issues caused by corrupted files or settings. However, you should make sure that you have saved your important data, such as bookmarks, history, passwords, etc., before deleting your browser.

2. Unwanted URL Suggestions

When you type a website address in your browser’s address bar, you’ll usually get URL suggestions based on your browsing history. These URL suggestions can help you access websites you visit frequently faster, but they can also be a problem if you don’t want them to appear. For example, if you’ve ever visited an inappropriate, sensitive, or confidential website, and you don’t want others using your browser to know about it. How do I remove these unwanted suggested URLs? Here are some ways you can try:

Delete your browsing history.

Your browsing history is a record of the websites you’ve visited and is usually the primary source of URL suggestions. You can clear your browsing history in the same way by clearing your cache and cookies, as described above. You can choose the time range and type of data you want to delete, including your browsing history. However, keep in mind that deleting your browsing history will also delete other data that you might find useful, like passwords, forms, etc.

Remove individual URL suggestions.

If you just want to delete certain suggested URLs, without deleting your browsing history entirely, you can do so by:

In Chrome, hover your cursor over the suggested URL you want to delete, then press the Shift + Delete keys on your keyboard. If you’re using a Mac, press the Shift + Fn + Delete keys.
In Firefox, hover your cursor over the suggested URL you want to delete, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. If you’re using a Mac, press the Fn + Delete keys.
In Edge, hover over the suggested URL you want to remove, then click the X icon to the right of the suggested URL.
In Safari, hover over the suggested URL you want to remove, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. If you’re using a Mac, press the Fn + Delete keys.

Use incognito or private mode.

If you don’t want your browser to save your browsing history at all, you can use incognito or private mode. This mode will prevent your browser from storing any data related to the websites you visit, including cache, cookies, history, and URL suggestions. You can turn on incognito or private mode by:

In Chrome, open the menu and select New Incognito Window. You can also press the Ctrl + Shift + N keys on your keyboard. If you’re using a Mac, press the Command + Shift + N keys.
In Firefox, open the menu and select New Private Window. You can also press the Ctrl + Shift + P keys on your keyboard. If you’re using a Mac, press the Command + Shift + P keys.
In Edge, open the menu and select New Incognito Window. You can also press the Ctrl + Shift + N keys on your keyboard. If you’re using a Mac, press the Command + Shift + N keys.
In Safari, open the Safari menu and select New Private Window. You can also press the Command + Shift + N keys on your keyboard.

3. Common HTTP Errors

HTTP is a protocol used by browsers and servers to communicate and exchange data. When you access a website, your browser will send an HTTP request to the server, and the server will give an HTTP response containing the status and content of the website. However, sometimes there is an error that occurs in this process, which is shown by a number code starting with 4 or 5. Here are some examples of common HTTP errors and how to resolve them:

400 Bad Request.

This error shows that the HTTP request sent by your browser is invalid or incomprehensible to the server. Several factors can cause this, such as:

Incorrect or incomplete URL. You should check if you typed in the website address correctly and completely, including protocol (HTTP or https), domain, and sub-domain. If you click on a link from another website, check if the link is not broken or expired.
Problematic cache and cookies. You can try clearing your cache and cookies, as described above, to ensure that your browser does not send incorrect or outdated data to the server.
Annoying extensions or add-ons. You can try disabling or removing extensions or add-ons that might change or block your HTTP requests, as described above.

403 Forbidden.

This error indicates that you do not have permission to access the website you requested. This can be caused by several factors, such as:

Websites blocked by your internet service provider, government, or organization. You can try using a VPN, proxy, or Tor to change your IP address and access blocked websites. However, you should be careful with the security and legality risks of this method.
Websites that require authentication or authorization. You should check that you are logged into your account, or entered the correct password or passcode if the website requires it. If you’ve forgotten your password or access code, you can try contacting the administrator or owner of the website for help.
Websites that have access restrictions based on location, time of day, or device. You should check if the website is only available to certain users, such as those in certain countries, at certain hours, or using certain devices. If so, you should try to change your location, time, or device according to the criteria set by that website.

404 Not Found.

This error indicates that the website you requested does not exist or was not found by the server. This can be caused by several factors, such as:

Incorrect or missing URL. You should check if you typed in the website address correctly and completely, as explained above. If you click on a link from another website, you should check if the link is not broken or expired.
Websites that have been deleted or moved. You should check if the website still exists or has been deleted or moved by the owner. You can try using a site like [Wayback Machine] or [Google Cache] to view older or archived versions of those websites, if available. – Websites experiencing technical or maintenance issues. You should check if the website is experiencing an outage or is in the process of updating. You can try contacting the administrator or owner of the website for more information, or wait a while and try accessing the website again.

500 Internal Server Error.

This error indicates that there is a server-side issue preventing the website you are requesting to display. This can be caused by several factors, such as:

Errors in the code or configuration of the website. You can’t do much to solve this problem, because it is the responsibility of the administrator or website owner to fix it. You can try contacting them to report the issue you’re experiencing, or wait a while and try accessing the website again.
The traffic load is too high. If too many users access the same website simultaneously, the server can become overwhelmed and not be able to handle HTTP requests properly. You can try accessing the website at a different time, when the traffic is less congested, or use an alternative site that provides the same or similar content.
Cyberattacks or malware. If a website’s server is attacked by hackers or infected by malware, its performance and security can suffer. You should be careful with suspicious or malicious websites, and always use antivirus and firewalls to protect your device. You should also avoid clicking on links or downloading files that you don’t know or trust.

4. Common Security Threats

Not only can browsers get errors, but they can also be targeted by security threats that can compromise your data and privacy. Here are some examples of common security threats and how to address them:

Phishing

Phishing is a deceptive technique that aims to steal your personal or financial information, such as your password, credit card number, or identity. Phishing is usually done by sending a fake email or message claiming to be a legitimate source, such as a bank, company, or organization, and asking you to click on a link or fill out a form that leads to a fake website that mimics the real website. You can avoid phishing by:

Check the source and content of an email or message you received. You should be suspicious of emails or messages that come from an unknown address, that contain spelling or grammatical errors, that offer gifts or opportunities that are too good to be true, or that threaten or urge you to do something.
Check the URLs and certificates of the websites you visit. You should be suspicious of websites that have strange URLs, that don’t use the https protocol, or that don’t have a padlock icon in the address bar. You can also click the lock icon to see the certificate details of that website and make sure that the name and authority that issued the certificate match the website you expect.
Never give out your personal or financial information via email, message, or website that you don’t trust. You should always contact a legitimate source directly, by phone, email, or official website, to verify the correctness of any request or offer you receive.

Malware

Malware is malicious software that can infect your device and do a variety of harmful things, such as steal your data, change your settings, display unwanted ads, or even lock your device and demand a ransom. Malware usually enters your device through links or files you click or download from unsafe websites, or through infected USB devices or other storage media. You can avoid malware by:

Use a trusted and up-to-date antivirus and firewall. You should always scan your device regularly to detect and remove any malware that may be present and also enable real-time protection features that can prevent malware from entering your device.
Download and install software only from legitimate and trusted sources. You should always check the reputation and reviews of the website, developer, or software provider you are using, and also check the access rights and permissions requested by the software before installing it.
Do not use USB devices or other storage media that you do not know or trust. You should always scan USB devices or other storage media that you receive or borrow from others, and also never insert USB devices or other storage media that you find in public places, such as cafes, airports, or schools.

Trackers and advertisers.

Trackers and advertisers are those who collect and analyze data about your behavior and preferences as you browse the internet, such as the websites you visit, the keywords you search for, or the products you buy. Their purpose is to show you ads that match your interests or sell your data to other parties. While not necessarily harmful, trackers and advertisers can compromise your privacy and comfort. You can avoid trackers and advertisers by:

Use incognito or private mode. As explained above, this mode will prevent your browser from storing any data related to the websites you visit, including cache, cookies, history, and URL suggestions. This can help you reduce your digital footprint and avoid trackers and advertisers relying on that data.
Use extensions or add-ons that can block or control trackers and advertisers. You can install extensions or add-ons that can give you information and choices about the trackers and advertisers on the websites you visit, and can also block or allow them as you see fit. Some examples of extensions or add-ons you can use are [Adblock Plus], [Ghostery], or [Privacy Badger].
Use a browser or search engine that respects your privacy. You could use a browser or search engine that doesn’t collect or sell your data, or that gives you more control over your data. Some examples of browsers or search engines that you can use are [Firefox], [Brave], [DuckDuckGo], or [Qwant].

5. Common Display Problems

Browsers can also experience display problems that can reduce the quality and comfort of you when browsing the internet. Here are some examples of common display issues and how to resolve them:

Text, images, or videos that are too small or too large.

This problem can be caused by several factors, such as:

Inappropriate screen size or resolution. You should check if the screen size or resolution you are using already suits your device, and change it if necessary. You can change your screen size or resolution by:

In Windows, right-click on your desktop, then select Display Settings. You can change the screen size or resolution by using the sliders or drop-down menus provided. – On your Mac, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner, then choose System Preferences > Display. You can change the screen size or resolution by using the sliders or drop-down menus provided. – On mobile devices, you can change the screen size or resolution by using the settings available on your device, or by changing the screen orientation from portrait to landscape, or vice versa.

Zoom level is not appropriate.

You can change the zoom level that determines how large or small text, images, or videos are displayed in your browser. You can change the zoom level by:

In Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari, you can press the Ctrl and + keys to zoom in, or Ctrl and – to zoom out. If you’re using a Mac, press the Command and + keys to zoom in, or Command and – to zoom out. You can also press the Ctrl and 0 keys to return the zoom level to default. If you’re using a Mac, press the Command key and 0 to return the zoom level to default.
In Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari, you can also change the zoom level using the menu available in your browser. In Chrome, open the menu and select Zoom. In Firefox, open the menu and select Zoom. In Edge, open the menu and select Zoom. In Safari, open the View menu and choose Zoom In, Zoom Out, or Actual Zoom.

Invisible or damaged text, images, or videos.

This problem can be caused by several factors, such as:

Websites that aren’t compatible with your browser. You should check if the website you are visiting uses technologies or standards supported by your browser, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flash, or others. If not, you can try using another browser that better suits the website, or install plugins or extensions that can help your browser display the website properly.
Websites that have errors in their code or content. You can’t do much to solve this problem, because it is the responsibility of the administrator or website owner to fix it. You can try contacting them to report the issue you’re experiencing, or wait a while and try accessing the website again.
Browser settings that block or change the appearance of the website. You should check if you have browser settings that could affect the appearance of the website, such as reader mode, dark mode, high contrast mode, or accessibility mode. If so, you can try disabling or changing these settings according to your needs. You should also check if you have extensions or add-ons that can block or change the appearance of the website, as described above, and disable or remove those you don’t need or that are suspicious.

Conclusion

The browser is an important and useful application for browsing the Internet, but it can also run into various problems that can interfere with your performance and experience. In this article, we have discussed some common browser errors and how to solve them, such as:

Slow performance and speed, can be caused by a weak internet connection, outdated browser versions, too many or problematic extensions or add-ons, or too many or corrupted caches and cookies.
Unwanted URL suggestions, which can be caused by your browsing history storing website addresses you don’t want. You can delete your browsing history, delete individual URL suggestions, or use incognito or private mode to avoid those URL suggestions.
A common HTTP error indicates a problem in communication between the browser and the server. You can check the URLs, cache, cookies, extensions, add-ons, permissions, authorizations, or sources of websites you visit, and try accessing those websites again or use alternative sites to resolve the HTTP error.
Common security threats, which can compromise your data and privacy, such as phishing, malware, or trackers and advertisers. You can avoid these security threats by using antivirus, firewall, VPN, proxy, Tor, extensions, add-ons, incognito mode, private, or a browser or search engine that respects your privacy.
Common display problems can reduce your quality and comfort while browsing the internet, such as text, images, or videos that are too small or large, or that are invisible or damaged. You can change the screen size, resolution, zoom level, browser settings, extensions, add-ons, or browser you’re using to resolve the display issue.

Hope this article is useful and helps you to surf the internet more smoothly and comfortably. Thanks for reading.