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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Puppeteer does not normally search your computer for any browser and choose one. The standard puppeteer package downloads a compatible Chrome for Testing build and uses it from Puppeteer’s browser cache. To use a regular system Chrome installation, set a supported channel; for a browser at a specific or nonstandard path, set executablePath. The puppeteer-core package does not download a browser, so your application must provide one.
How Puppeteer chooses a browser
The selection depends on the package and launch options. Puppeteer’s default executable path points to its managed browser; it is not a general-purpose scan for every Chrome or Chromium installation. A channel asks Puppeteer to find a recognized system installation, while an explicit executable path tells it exactly which binary to launch.
| Approach | Who manages the browser? | How Puppeteer identifies it | Best fit | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Default puppeteer |
Puppeteer downloads and caches Chrome for Testing | Computed path to the managed browser | You want Puppeteer’s documented default setup | Puppeteer guarantees compatibility with its bundled browser |
channel |
You install and update regular Chrome | Known system locations for the requested release channel | Chrome is installed conventionally and you want that channel | Not covered by the bundled-browser guarantee |
executablePath |
Your application or deployment | The explicit executable path you provide | The install is nonstandard or managed by your deployment | Verify compatibility yourself |
puppeteer-core |
Your application or remote-browser provider | Your application’s browser configuration | You manage the browser or use a remote-browser workflow | Depends on the browser and setup you select |
Puppeteer’s API reference cautions that it is “only guaranteed to work with the bundled browser.” Check the API reference for your installed version before relying on a system browser or a particular channel: LaunchOptions.
Use a regular system Chrome installation
Set channel in launch() when Chrome is installed at a location Puppeteer recognizes for that release channel. For example:
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import puppeteer from 'puppeteer';
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
channel: 'chrome',
});
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com');
console.log(await page.title());
} finally {
await browser.close();
}The channel option selects a recognized system installation; it is not interchangeable with executablePath, which specifies a path directly. Accepted channel values can depend on the Puppeteer version, so consult the LaunchOptions reference that matches your installed release. The documented lookup checks known locations, but does not establish one universal path for every operating system, packaging method, or Chrome channel.
Point Puppeteer to a specific executable
Use executablePath when your application knows where the browser binary is—for example, when a container image or deployment process installs it at a controlled location.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
import puppeteer from 'puppeteer';
const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
executablePath: '/absolute/path/to/Chrome',
});
try {
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com');
console.log(await page.title());
} finally {
await browser.close();
}Replace the example path with the actual executable path on the machine running Node.js. Paths vary with the operating system, installation method, and release channel; verify the path on the target host rather than assuming a path copied from another machine will work.
You can also configure PUPPETEER_EXECUTABLE_PATH. It overrides the configured executablePath value, so check it when Puppeteer launches a different binary than expected. See the Puppeteer configuration reference for configuration details.
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- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What changes with puppeteer-core?
puppeteer-core does not download Chrome and does not apply Puppeteer configuration files or environment-variable configuration. Browser installation and selection are your application’s responsibility. Supply a browser path through executablePath, use an appropriate system-browser workflow, or configure the remote browser your application is meant to use. The installation guide describes the distinction between the packages.
Why Puppeteer downloads Chrome by default
A normal installation of puppeteer downloads a recent Chrome for Testing build. Since Puppeteer v21.6.0, the installation guide also says it downloads chrome-headless-shell. The default browser cache location is $HOME/.cache/puppeteer; that default dates from Puppeteer v19.0.0, and configuration can change the cache directory. See the current installation guide for version-specific details.
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The same guide gives approximate download sizes of 170 MB on macOS, 282 MB on Linux, and 280 MB on Windows. These are guide estimates, not fixed sizes; actual downloads can change with browser versions and platform packaging.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Fix “Could not find Chrome”
A missing-browser error often means Puppeteer’s browser download did not run. Some package managers block dependency install scripts, which can skip Puppeteer’s postinstall download. Work through these checks in order:
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
- Check the package. If the project uses
puppeteer-core, it will not install a browser for you. Provide one through your application’s configuration. - Check whether install scripts ran. If the project uses
puppeteerbut relies on its downloaded browser, allow the package’s postinstall script or use Puppeteer’s documented browser-install command after installing dependencies. The installation guide gives the supported instructions. - Check your launch options. Use a supported
channelfor a conventional system Chrome installation, or provide the real binary path withexecutablePath. - Check overrides. Look for
PUPPETEER_EXECUTABLE_PATHand project configuration that may replace the path you expected. - Check compatibility. A system-installed browser may not match the Puppeteer version. Puppeteer’s compatibility guarantee applies to its bundled browser, not arbitrary system binaries.
Or skip the browser setup
If your goal is to capture a webpage rather than run Puppeteer locally, ScreenshotNeo is a screenshot API and MCP server for developers. A single request can return a screenshot or PDF without requiring you to find and manage a local browser executable. For its options, see the ScreenshotNeo documentation.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.webpScreenshotNeo removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; bot checks, blank pages, failed loads, timeouts, and cache hits are not billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents use take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf. The Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month without a card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month, with no card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Puppeteer automatically find any Chrome installation?
No. By default, the standard puppeteer package uses its downloaded browser. Use a supported channel for a recognized system installation or executablePath for a specific binary.
Can I use Chromium instead of Chrome?
The documented system-browser lookup covers Chrome and Chromium, but compatibility depends on the particular binary and Puppeteer version. Puppeteer guarantees compatibility with its bundled browser, not every local build.
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