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Set executablePath in puppeteer.launch() to the full path of the chrome.exe that exists on the Windows machine running Node.js. The example below uses a common Chrome installation location, but it is not universal. If you use Puppeteer’s bundled Chrome, you can usually omit the option.

Set the Chrome executable path and capture a screenshot

Pass the executable filename—not just its containing folder—to executablePath. This example uses ES modules and captures a full-page PNG:

import puppeteer from 'puppeteer';

const browser = await puppeteer.launch({
  browser: 'chrome',
  executablePath: String.raw`C:Program FilesGoogleChromeApplicationchrome.exe`,
});

try {
  const page = await browser.newPage();
  await page.goto('https://example.com', { waitUntil: 'networkidle0' });
  await page.screenshot({ path: 'screenshot.png', fullPage: true });
} finally {
  await browser.close();
}

The path shown is illustrative. Find the actual chrome.exe on the computer or container where Node.js runs, and substitute that full path. String.raw keeps Windows backslashes from being interpreted as JavaScript escape characters.

The path is evaluated in the runtime environment, not necessarily on your interactive desktop. A path that exists on your development PC will not work in a container or another machine unless Chrome is installed there at the same location.

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Choose between bundled Chrome and a separate installation

Approach Who manages the browser Path and compatibility
Use Puppeteer’s bundled browser The puppeteer package downloads a compatible Chrome during installation. Usually omit executablePath. Puppeteer guarantees compatibility with its bundled browser.
Use a separately installed or managed browser You install and update the browser for each environment. Set executablePath to that environment’s actual executable. The bundled-browser compatibility guarantee does not apply.

Puppeteer’s LaunchOptions documentation warns: “Note that Puppeteer is only guaranteed to work with the bundled browser, so use this setting at your own risk.” Puppeteer LaunchOptions documents the option and its limitation.

For the standard puppeteer package, the bundled browser is typically the simplest choice when your installation policy allows its download. If downloads are restricted, follow Puppeteer’s installation guide for manual browser installation rather than guessing a cache location. Puppeteer’s own downloaded-browser layout includes chrome-win64chrome.exe, but that is a relative location inside its browser cache, not a guaranteed desktop Chrome path. Puppeteer’s browser APIs can help manage the downloaded browser.

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Using puppeteer-core

puppeteer-core does not download Chrome. It is intended for setups where you manage the browser separately or connect to a remote browser, so configure the browser through the launch API as appropriate for your setup. Puppeteer configuration files and environment variables are ignored by puppeteer-core. See the configuration guide.

Use an environment variable when paths differ by machine

With the full puppeteer package, Puppeteer documents PUPPETEER_EXECUTABLE_PATH as an environment override for the configured executable path. This can keep machine-specific paths out of source code. Configuration and environment settings do not configure puppeteer-core. Check the Puppeteer configuration guide for the current behavior.

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Troubleshoot launch and screenshot failures

  • Executable not found: Verify the path ends in chrome.exe, that the file exists in the environment where Node.js runs, and that the launching account can access it. A copied path from another computer is not proof that the file exists in the current runtime.
  • You are pointing at Puppeteer’s downloaded browser: Do not assume the browser cache is at a fixed desktop location. Its Windows layout includes chrome-win64chrome.exe; use Puppeteer’s browser-management APIs or the installation guide to locate and manage it.
  • Windows denies access or launch: Check the browser file’s permissions for the account running Node.js. Puppeteer’s troubleshooting guide says that from v22.14.0 it attempts to configure permissions for downloaded Chrome by running Chrome’s setup.exe. For older versions or continuing access-denied sandbox errors, the guide documents an icacls workaround. Follow its current commands and security context rather than applying permission changes indiscriminately: Puppeteer troubleshooting.
  • The browser launches but behaves incompatibly: If you selected a Chrome build other than Puppeteer’s bundled one, compatibility is not guaranteed. Try the bundled browser or verify that the separately managed browser works with your Puppeteer version.
  • The script hangs during navigation: The example waits for networkidle0, which may not occur promptly on pages with ongoing network activity. If navigation is the sticking point, choose a wait condition that fits the page and your capture goal; this is separate from whether executablePath is valid.
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Or skip the browser setup

If you need a screenshot from a URL without installing and managing Chrome, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. A single request returns an image or PDF; this cURL example saves a WebP screenshot:

curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.webp

See the ScreenshotNeo documentation for the API options. It accepts cookie and consent banners before capture and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each of those steps can be turned off. Bot checks and CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and responses identify the page verdict and billing status in headers. Its MCP server provides take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf tools for AI agents. The Free plan includes 1,000 shots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots.

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