To better understand your issue, our support team might need additional information about the network requests generated in your browser while the problem occurs. The support agent might ask you to create a HAR file from your web browser and send them the file to help them troubleshoot the issue. This article will detail what a HAR file is, and a step-by-step guide to generating it from your chosen browser.


Depending on which browser you are using, there are a few ways to generate a HAR file. Before we get to the how-to’s, here is an overview of what a HAR file is.

 

HAR is the short form for HTTP Archive format, which tracks all the logging of the web browser's interaction with a site. The HAR file keeps track of each resource loaded by the browser and timing information for each resource. HAR files can be a requirement for troubleshooting issues like performance issues (slow page load, a timeout when performing a certain task) and page rendering. 


Note: A HAR file includes data such as the content of your cookies and the pages you downloaded while making the recording. Anyone with access to the HAR file can view the data submitted while recording, which may include personal data or other sensitive data. Make sure that you secure your HAR files accordingly. Cloudflare has released a HAR sanitizer that can be used to strip any sensitive information. 


Here's how to generate the HAR file for Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome and load the page with the problem.

  2. Click on the Vertical ellipsis button on the top nav bar and select More Tools > Developer Tools > Network tab (you can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + i or F12 on Windows and Linux, or Cmd + Opt + i on macOS). 

  3. Look for a round Record button in the upper left corner of the tab, and make sure it is red. If it is grey, click on it to start recording.

  4. Enable Preserve log by checking the box. 

  5. Click the Clear button to clear out any existing logs from the Network tab.

  6. Replicate the issue that you were experiencing before. Once replicated, right Click in the area where the network records are shown and select Save all as HAR with content and save the file to your computer.

  7. Upload your HAR file to your ticket or attach it to your email to be sent to our support team. 


Here's how to generate the HAR file for Firefox

  1. Open Firefox and load the page with the problem.

  2. You can open the Firefox Developer Tools from the menu by selecting Tools > Web Developer > Toggle Tools or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + i or F12 on Windows and Linux, or Cmd + Opt + i on macOS.

  3. The Developer Network Tools opens as a docked panel at the side or bottom of Firefox. Click the Network tab.

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

  5. Replicate the issue that you were experiencing before. Once replicated, right Click in the area where the network records are shown and select Save All As HAR and save the file to your computer.

  6. Upload your HAR file to your ticket or attach it to your email to be sent to our support team. 


Here’s how to generate the HAR file for Safari.

Safari comes with its own Safari Web Development Tools. 

  1. Open the Develop menu and select Show Web Inspector. (Note: If you don’t see the Develop menu in the menu bar, choose Safari > Preferences, click Advanced, then select “Show Develop menu in the menu bar.”)

  2. Click the Network tab. 

  3. Replicate the issue that you were experiencing before, while the network requests are being recorded.

  4. Once done, click the Export icon on the network tab's far-right and save the HAR file.

  5. Upload your HAR file to your ticket or attach it to your email to be sent to our support team. 


Here's how to generate the HAR file for Edge.

  1. Go to Developer tools using the F12 keyboard shortcut.

  2. Refresh the page to start the capture.  

  3. Replicate the issue that you were experiencing before. 

  4. Once done, click on Export as HAR, followed by Save As... to save the HAR file.