Selenium with Python: Common Errors and Fixes

Selenium is a popular tool for automating web browsers, and Python’s simplicity makes it a great match for writing test scripts. However, like any tool, Selenium can throw unexpected errors during test execution. Understanding common Selenium-Python issues and their solutions can save time and frustration.

Error: NoSuchElementException

Cause:

Selenium can’t find the web element by the provided locator.

Fix:

Check if the locator (ID, class, XPath, etc.) is correct and unique.

Use time.sleep() or better, explicit waits to ensure the element is loaded.

from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By

from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait

from selenium.webdriver.support import expected_conditions as EC

element = WebDriverWait(driver, 10).until(

    EC.presence_of_element_located((By.ID, "username"))

)

Error: ElementNotInteractableException

Cause:

The element exists in the DOM but can’t be interacted with—often because it's hidden or disabled.

Fix:

Wait for the element to be clickable.

WebDriverWait(driver, 10).until(

    EC.element_to_be_clickable((By.ID, "submit"))

).click()

Error: StaleElementReferenceException

Cause:

The DOM has changed since the element was found.

Fix:

Re-locate the element before interacting with it.

element = driver.find_element(By.ID, "refresh")

element.click()  # If error, locate again before this

Error: SessionNotCreatedException

Cause:

Mismatch between the ChromeDriver and Chrome browser versions.

Fix:

Ensure the driver version matches your browser version.

Use WebDriver Manager for automatic handling.

from selenium import webdriver

from webdriver_manager.chrome import ChromeDriverManager

driver = webdriver.Chrome(ChromeDriverManager().install())

Error: TimeoutException

Cause:

Waited too long for an element or page to load.

Fix:

Review the wait conditions.

Increase wait time if the page is slow.

Conclusion

Working with Selenium and Python can be incredibly efficient, but common errors can slow down your progress. Understanding these issues and their fixes helps you create more reliable and robust test scripts. Always use best practices like explicit waits, dynamic locators, and version control to minimize test failures and maximize productivity.

Learn Selenium Python Training in Hyderabad

Read More:

Headless Browser Testing Using Selenium and Python

Handling Dynamic Elements in Selenium

Automating Scrolling and Navigation

Validating Links and Images Using Selenium

Automating Captcha: What You Can and Can't Do

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