To see which browser binary Puppeteer will use, call puppeteer.executablePath(). To launch a different installed browser, pass its absolute path as executablePath to puppeteer.launch(). The path must exist and be executable in the same environment where Node.js runs—not just on your workstation.
Print Puppeteer’s computed browser path
With the full puppeteer package, executablePath() returns the computed path for the browser configured for that installation. Print it from the same project and runtime where you intend to launch the browser:
import puppeteer from 'puppeteer';
console.log(puppeteer.executablePath());
const browser = await puppeteer.launch();
try {
console.log('Browser launched');
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
If your project uses CommonJS, the equivalent is:
const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');
console.log(puppeteer.executablePath());
The returned string identifies the expected executable; it does not prove the file is present, has execute permission, or can start successfully. Check those conditions in the environment that will run Puppeteer.
Launch a specific installed browser
To use a system-installed browser instead of Puppeteer’s managed browser, provide its executable path in the launch options. Use the browser’s actual absolute path for your operating system and runtime:
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import puppeteer from 'puppeteer';
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
browser: 'chrome',
executablePath: '/absolute/path/to/chrome',
});
try {
// Use the browser here.
} finally {
await browser.close();
}
executablePath must point to the browser executable, not its containing folder. Puppeteer documents that compatibility is only guaranteed with its bundled browser; a custom binary may differ in version or behavior. Validate it with the features your application uses. See the Puppeteer launch options.
Choose the right path source
Puppeteer-managed browser
For the normal puppeteer installation, begin with puppeteer.executablePath() and the browser Puppeteer installed for that package. This avoids guessing platform-specific locations and aligns with Puppeteer’s bundled-browser compatibility guarantee. The default browser cache is ~/.cache/puppeteer; set PUPPETEER_CACHE_DIR to use another cache directory. See Puppeteer configuration.
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System-installed browser
Use executablePath when the deployment environment deliberately supplies and maintains its own browser. You then control the browser installation and version, but must ensure that the binary exists in the runtime and works with your Puppeteer version and operating system.
puppeteer-core
puppeteer-core does not provide the usual browser download and configuration defaults of the full package. When launching it, specify either an executablePath or a browser channel for a recognized installation. The API reference explains the launch requirements at Puppeteer launch API.
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Programmatic browser lookup
If your application manages browser installations directly, the @puppeteer/browsers package documents computeExecutablePath for a managed browser in its cache and computeSystemExecutablePath for looking up Chrome in known system locations. A system lookup can fail when no browser is installed at a supported location. See the @puppeteer/browsers API.
Diagnose a missing or unusable executable
- Print the path in the failing runtime. Run
puppeteer.executablePath()in the same process, container, or hosted environment that fails to launch. A workstation path does not automatically exist in a deployed runtime. - Check that the file exists and is executable. Verify the returned or configured path against that environment’s filesystem and permissions. A correct-looking path is not enough if the browser was not installed or the process cannot execute it.
- Check the browser cache and installation configuration. Puppeteer’s default cache is
~/.cache/puppeteer, andPUPPETEER_CACHE_DIRchanges it. Its troubleshooting documentation says downloaded browsers are stored in that cache by default starting with v19.0.0. See Puppeteer troubleshooting. - Confirm installation did not skip the download. If browser download was disabled with
skipDownloadorPUPPETEER_SKIP_DOWNLOAD, provide a real system browser or install the expected browser. See the configuration options. - Include the browser and cache in deployment. Build and runtime environments may not share installed files. Make sure the browser and configured cache are available wherever the application launches Puppeteer; consult the cloud deployment guidance in Puppeteer troubleshooting.
- Check Linux shared-library dependencies. The binary can exist yet fail to start if system libraries are missing. Puppeteer’s troubleshooting guide recommends checking dependencies with
ldd chromeand following the guidance for the Linux distribution in use. - Do not treat
--no-sandboxas a path repair. Puppeteer strongly discourages running without a sandbox. Address the sandbox configuration for the environment rather than using that flag to mask a launch problem.
Managed browser or system browser?
| Consideration | Puppeteer-managed browser | System-installed browser |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Designed to work with Puppeteer; this is the browser for which compatibility is guaranteed. | Arbitrary versions are not guaranteed to work; validate against your Puppeteer release and application. |
| Runtime availability | Requires the downloaded browser and its cache to be present where the process runs. | Requires the system binary to be installed at the configured path in that runtime. |
| Version control | Managed through Puppeteer’s browser installation and configuration. | You control installation and updates, and must keep the chosen version compatible. |
| Operating-system requirements | Still depends on suitable permissions and system libraries. | Also depends on suitable permissions and system libraries. |
For a path-resolution problem, start with the managed browser unless you have a reason to use a separately maintained installation. Puppeteer’s compatibility warning and deployment checks are detailed in its launch options and troubleshooting guide.
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Or skip the browser setup
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