To run Puppeteer on EC2, match three things before launching: the instance’s Linux distribution, CPU architecture, and Chrome or Chromium binary. On a supported x86_64 setup, npm i puppeteer normally downloads a compatible Chrome for Testing build; on Graviton, install an ARM64 browser instead. Then install that browser’s Linux libraries and test it as the same OS user that will run your service.
Choose the EC2 image and browser strategy first
Puppeteer is a JavaScript library for controlling Chrome or Firefox, and it runs headless by default. The current Puppeteer requirements page specifies Node.js 22.12 or later and lists supported Linux distributions and architectures for Chrome for Testing. Check the current requirements against the AMI and architecture you plan to use; supported combinations and package availability can change.
- Ubuntu or Debian, x86_64: The simplest route is usually Puppeteer-managed Chrome for Testing, provided its install script runs and the required system libraries are installed.
- Amazon Linux: Use commands and packages appropriate to the exact release. Older Amazon Linux instructions are not universal instructions for Amazon Linux 2023.
- Graviton / ARM64: Use an ARM64 browser executable. AWS’s Graviton guide notes that Puppeteer’s bundled Chrome is x86, so the default downloaded binary does not match an ARM instance.
- System Chromium: Useful when you need the distribution’s browser package, but you must maintain compatibility between that executable and your Puppeteer version.
Confirm the machine before choosing commands:
cat /etc/os-release
uname -m
node --version
npm --versionuname -m commonly reports x86_64 or aarch64. Do not mix Ubuntu package commands with Amazon Linux commands, or assume an x86 browser works on ARM.
Install Node.js and Puppeteer on Ubuntu or Debian
Install a Node.js version that meets Puppeteer’s current minimum, then install Puppeteer with its browser-download step enabled. The exact Node.js installation method depends on your chosen Ubuntu or Debian release; use a maintained source appropriate to that OS rather than an unrelated distribution’s package instructions.
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-
From your application directory, initialize the project if needed and install Puppeteer:
npm init -y npm install puppeteerThe normal Puppeteer install downloads a compatible Chrome for Testing build and, from Puppeteer v21.6.0,
chrome-headless-shell. Chrome for Testing downloads are approximately 282 MB on Linux; this is the browser download size, not a total disk-sizing recommendation. -
Install the Chrome system dependencies for your OS. Puppeteer’s troubleshooting documentation lists common Ubuntu/Debian dependencies and notes that missing shared libraries can prevent launch. Package names and availability vary by release, so follow the current Puppeteer Linux troubleshooting guidance for the selected image.
-
Check that the browser was installed and run a smoke test using the service’s eventual OS account, not only an administrator shell.
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Some package-manager configurations block dependency install scripts. If Puppeteer is present but the expected browser is absent, check that browser download scripts were not disabled and review Puppeteer’s installation guidance.
Use system Chromium when you need to manage the browser yourself
With a system-installed browser, install Chromium from repositories supported by the specific AMI, then tell Puppeteer which executable to launch. This gives you control over the browser package source, but you take responsibility for browser/Puppeteer compatibility and updates.
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npm install puppeteer-corepuppeteer-core does not download a browser. Use an explicit executable path in your application:
const puppeteer = require('puppeteer-core');
(async () => {
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
executablePath: '/path/to/chromium',
headless: true,
});
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com', { waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
console.log(await page.title());
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
})();Replace /path/to/chromium with the actual executable path on that AMI. If using the full puppeteer package rather than puppeteer-core, you can also provide executablePath, but doing so opts you into managing that browser pairing yourself.
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Amazon Linux needs release-specific instructions
Puppeteer’s troubleshooting page documents an older Amazon Linux route using EPEL followed by Chromium installation:
sudo amazon-linux-extras install epel -y
sudo yum install -y chromiumThis is the documented Amazon Linux context, not a universal recipe for current Amazon Linux releases. The page warns that without repository and dependency setup, Chromium can fail because libraries such as libatk-1.0.so.0 are missing. Before applying it, verify that the commands, repositories, and package exist for the exact AMI and release you are running. For Amazon Linux 2023, use its own package sources and AWS’s release-specific examples rather than assuming the older amazon-linux-extras flow applies.
AWS also publishes a Graviton guide with separate Ubuntu 22 and AL2023 examples, including ARM browser installation and Xvfb for headful tests. Its examples include pinned package versions and external package sources; verify that those sources and versions remain appropriate before using them.
Run Puppeteer on Graviton / ARM64
Graviton instances use ARM architecture. AWS’s guide notes that Puppeteer’s bundled Chrome is x86, so installing Puppeteer normally does not by itself give you a matching ARM browser. Install an aarch64 browser from a source supported for the exact distribution, then pass its path to Puppeteer.
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-
Confirm the instance architecture with
uname -m; for ARM64, expectaarch64. -
Install an ARM64-compatible Chrome or Chromium package following the relevant OS and AWS guidance. Do not copy an x86 browser binary or repository setup onto the ARM host.
-
Check the executable architecture and dependencies, then set
executablePathto that browser in Puppeteer. -
Run the smoke test as the runtime user. If you need visible browser windows for tests, configure a display server such as Xvfb; ordinary headless operation does not require a desktop display.
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Launch a smoke test safely
Create a small test that opens a known page, prints its title, and closes the browser even if navigation fails:
const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
(async () => {
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({ headless: true });
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com', { waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
console.log(await page.title());
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
})();Save as smoke.js, then run node smoke.js under the same non-root user and service environment intended for production. If using a system browser, use puppeteer-core and the explicit executablePath example above. Chrome uses multiple sandbox layers. Keep sandboxing enabled where the host supports it; Puppeteer documents --no-sandbox only for content you are absolutely sure is trusted, not as a general launch fix.
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Diagnose launch failures systematically
“Could not find Chrome”
Check whether Puppeteer’s install script was blocked and whether its expected browser cache exists for the current user. Browser downloads and caches can be user- and environment-specific; an install performed as root may not leave a browser where a service account expects it. Either restore the Puppeteer browser installation step or configure a known system executable explicitly.
“Failed to launch” or a missing .so library
Run ldd on the actual browser binary and look for unresolved libraries:
ldd /path/to/chrome | grep notReplace the path with the executable Puppeteer is launching. Install each missing library using packages for that exact Linux distribution and release, then repeat the check. Puppeteer’s troubleshooting page identifies missing shared libraries as a common Linux launch cause.
“No usable sandbox!”
Check the runtime user and host sandbox prerequisites first. Do not make --no-sandbox the default production solution. Puppeteer’s stated exception is when you are absolutely sure about the content you open; disabling sandboxing weakens an important browser security boundary.
It works over SSH but fails as a service
Compare the interactive and service environments: OS user, HOME, browser cache location, executable path, directory permissions, environment variables, and available memory. Ensure the runtime user can access its profile and cache directories. These differences are common operational causes even when the browser works from an administrator shell.
ARM-only launch failure
Check uname -m and inspect the browser executable. An aarch64 instance needs a compatible ARM64 browser, not Puppeteer’s x86 Chrome build.
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Headful tests fail without a display
Headless mode is the default and does not need a visible desktop. If the test requires a visible window, start and configure a display server such as Xvfb as shown in the relevant AWS Graviton guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose between managed browser, system package, and prepared image
| Approach | Best fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Puppeteer-managed Chrome for Testing | Supported x86_64 environments where the install script can download the paired browser | Simple version pairing; requires download/cache handling and the browser’s system libraries |
| System Chromium | When the AMI’s supported package source or deployment policy requires a managed OS package | More control over package source; you must check compatibility, executable path, architecture, and updates |
| Manual ARM browser installation | Graviton instances | Required architecture match, with extra responsibility for selecting and maintaining the browser source |
| Preconfigured Marketplace AMI | When setup effort is more important than starting from a minimal image | A third-party AWS Marketplace listing titled “Puppeteer on Headless Ubuntu” describes an Ubuntu EC2 image with Puppeteer, Chrome, sample scripts, and SSH access; verify the listing and image details before use |
Or skip the browser setup
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Puppeteer need a graphical desktop on EC2?
No. Puppeteer runs headless by default. A display server such as Xvfb is for tests that need a visible browser window.
Can I use Puppeteer on an AWS Graviton instance?
Yes, but pair the ARM64 instance with an ARM64 browser executable; the x86 Chrome bundled by Puppeteer is not the right binary for Graviton.
Is Puppeteer’s no-sandbox flag a safe standard fix?
No. Keep Chrome sandboxing enabled where possible; Puppeteer documents the flag only for absolutely trusted content.
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