Fixing JavaScript Errors

Different Internet browsers show that there are JavaScript Errors in different ways. In most cases, you will have either a warning sign in the status bar or a window will pop up explaining that there are problems with a script running on the page. If you only get the warning icon, you can find out what’s wrong by clicking on it. This will open the window and give the details of the errors that are encountered. There are times where the error will state that there is a JavaScript error, although most of the time it will just say there is a problem with a script running on the web page.

How to Fix JavaScript Errors

If you get a scripting error message, the first thing you should do is close the window and try to load the web page again. If you get the same error on trying to load the page again, there can be a number of causes.

Internet connections can actually effect how well and if sites will load and run. With dial up or slower broadband and cable connections, more complex web pages may not run. This is due to the time taken for the site to download and the capability of the Internet connection.

Ensure that you have JavaScript installed in your browser and also make sure that it is an up-to-date version. You can find out if your browser runs Java by checking the following:

• Firefox – Tools > Options > Content, check the box Enable JavaScript
• Internet Explorer – Tools > Internet Options > Programs, click the Manage add-ons button and scroll down to make sure that JavaScript is enabled.

If you are unsure, visit the Java website and follow the instructions for installing Java for the browser you are using.

Finally, if none of this helps, there may be a problem with the code, and if you did not write the web page, then there is little that you can do, except contact the webmaster for the site and let them know.

Introduction to JavaScript Errors

At one time or another, it is likely that all Internet users have been confronted with a JavaScript error. While what happens depends on the browser being used and the type of error, what JavaScript errors tell you is that a script on the web page that is being viewed either contains an error or not running properly, but what does this mean?

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a type of scripting language used to code the elements of web pages and web sites. There are a number of different scripting languages in use, including HTML, which is the most basic, but JavaScript is one of the most popular languages used for coding advanced web sites. JavaScript is referred to as a client side language, which means that it runs on the client’s browser and not on the server where the web page is stored. In other words, everything that happens due to JavaScript coding happens on your computer.

What Causes JavaScript Errors?

One of the simplest answers to why JavaScript errors occur is because it is a client side language, which in turn means that there is greater scope for things to go wrong when a web page is attempting to load and run. Web pages that are coded using JavaScript are compiled on the Internet browser on the user’s computer. As web sites become more and more advanced, the additional features can make them slower to load and even cause them to stop running altogether. It is when this happens that JavaScript errors begin to appear.