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Generating and Understanding HAR Files - Operations IQ® Platform

Helpful file for troubleshooting browser issues.

Joe Caffrey avatar
Written by Joe Caffrey
Updated over 3 weeks ago

About

What Is a .HAR File and Why It’s Used in Troubleshooting

A .har file is like a “recording” of what happens in your web browser when you visit a page.

It logs:

  • Every file the page loads (images, scripts, etc.)

  • How long each thing took to load

  • Any errors that happened while loading

Why you’d request one:
If a website or web app isn’t working right, a .har file helps support or developers “replay” what your browser saw.


Solution

This article outlines the process for generating an F12 Trace or .har (HTTP Archive) file, which can be used for troubleshooting purposes. The steps described apply to browser developer tools and are not specific to any particular application.

Browser Options
Please follow the instructions that correspond to the browser you are using:

  • Google Chrome

  • Mozilla Firefox

  • Internet Explorer

  • Microsoft Edge


Chrome

  1. Navigate to the problematic page in Chrome

  2. Press F12 on your keyboard

  3. Within the new window select the Network Tab

  4. In the upper left corner of the tab, and make sure there is a red record button. If it is grey, click it to turn it red.

  5. Check the box Preserve log.

  6. Click the Clear button next to the Red record button.

  7. Reproduce the issue that you were experiencing before, while the network requests are being recorded.

  8. Once you have reproduced the issue click Export HAR to download.

  9. Save the file to your computer.

  10. Upload your HAR file to your ticket or attach it to your email so that our Support team can analyze it.


Firefox

  1. Navigate to the problematic page in Firefox

  2. Press F12 on your keyboard. The Developer Tools will open as a docked panel.

  3. Within the new window select the Network Tab.

  4. The recording autostarts when you start performing actions in the browser.

  5. Reproduce the issue that you were experiencing before, while the network requests are being recorded.

  6. Right-click anywhere under the File column, and click on Save all as Har.

  7. Save the file to your computer.

  8. Upload your HAR file to your ticket or attach it to your email so that our Support team can analyze it.


IE

  1. Open Internet Explorer and go to the page where the issue is occurring.

  2. Press F12 on your keyboard (or click the gear icon > F12 Developer Tools)

  3. Click the Network tab.

  4. Reproduce the issue that you were experiencing before, while the network requests are being recorded.

  5. Once done click the Save button.

  6. Give the trace a filename and click the Save button which will save it as a .har file or .xml file.

  7. Upload your HAR file to your ticket or attach it to your email so that we may analyze it.


Edge

  1. Open your browser.

  2. From the menu, select "..." -> More tools -> Developer Tools.

  3. Select the Network tab.

  4. Make sure "Preserve Log" is checked.

  5. Select the concentric circle icon (Or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+E) to start recording the session. This will turn the button red and replace the filled inner circle with a filled square.

  6. Select the same filled square button to stop recording the session.

  7. Select the "Export HAR..." button to export the recorded session to a HAR file. The button looks like an arrow pointing downwards to a horizontal line.


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