Troubleshooting the Selenium - Chromedriver FileNotFoundError

Learn how to resolve the common `FileNotFoundError` when using Selenium with Chromedriver by following this easy step-by-step guide.
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Troubleshooting the Selenium - Chromedriver FileNotFoundError

If you're working on automating your web testing with Selenium and have downloaded Chromedriver, you may encounter a frustrating FileNotFoundError even when the path appears to be correct. In this post, we will explore this common issue and provide straightforward steps to resolve it, allowing you to continue testing your webpage seamlessly.

Understanding the Problem

When you execute a script to instantiate Chromedriver using Selenium, you might be doing it like this:

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

However, if you receive a FileNotFoundError, it raises a couple of questions:

Is the path you provided indeed correct?

Is there an issue with how you are specifying the executable in your code?

Resolving the Error

To address the FileNotFoundError, here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Remove the .exe Extension

There is a common solution that you may not have considered: try calling the Chromedriver executable without the .exe extension. In many instances, Selenium doesn’t require the extension to properly execute the driver, and omitting it can prevent the error.

Change your code from this:

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

To this:

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

Step 2: Verify the Path

Check your file location: Make sure that the chromedriver file is indeed located in the specified folder C:\Python\. Navigate to this directory and ensure the file is present.

Correct the file path: If you have placed the executable in a different folder, modify the path accordingly in your code.

Step 3: Check Environment Variables

If the above steps do not work, consider adding the Chromedriver folder to your system's PATH environment variable. This way, you won’t need to specify the full path in your code. Here’s how you can do that:

Open System Properties:

On Windows, right-click on 'This PC' and select 'Properties'.

Click on 'Advanced system settings' and then on 'Environment Variables'.

Edit the Path Variable:

Under 'System Variables', find 'Path' and click on 'Edit'.

Add the path to the C:\Python\ directory where your chromedriver is located.

Test the Setup:

Open a new terminal/command prompt and run chromedriver to ensure it works from any directory.

Step 4: Restart Your IDE

After making changes in your environment variables or your code, don’t forget to restart your Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or command prompt to apply the changes.

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you should be able to avoid the FileNotFoundError when using Selenium with Chromedriver. Just to recap, always check the path, consider removing the .exe extension, and ensure your executable is accessible via your system's PATH variable.

With these adjustments, you can get back to automating your tests without any roadblocks! Happy coding!