What is a HAR file and how do I generate one?

Overview

When troubleshooting complex issues, it is sometimes necessary for our Customer Support team to obtain additional information about the network requests that are generated in your browser while an issue occurs. A Customer Support team member may request that you record a HAR file, or a log of network requests, while that issue is occurring and then provide that to them for further analysis.

You can generate HAR files in the following browsers:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Internet Explorer/Edge
• Safari

What is a HAR File?

HAR, short for HTTP Archive, is a format used for tracking information between a web browser and a website. A HAR file is primarily used for identifying performance issues, such as bottlenecks and slow load times, and page rendering problems. HAR files keeps track of each resource loaded by the browser along with timing information for each resource.

Generating a HAR File in Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome and go to the page where the issue is occurring.
2. From the Chrome menu bar select View > Developer > Developer Tools.
3. From the opened panel, select the Networktab.
4. Look for the round Record button in the upper left corner of the tab and make sure it is red. If it is grey, click it once to start recording.
5. Check the Preserve log box.
6. Click the Clear to clear out any existing logs from the Network tab.
7. Reproduce the issue that you were experiencing before while the network requests are being recorded.
8. Once you have reproduced the issue, right-click anywhere on the grid of network requests, select Save as HAR with Content, and save the file to your computer.
9. Upload your HAR file to your support ticket or attach it to your email so that our Support team can analyze it.

Here is a brief animation showing this process:

Generating a HAR File in Firefox

1. Open Firefox and go to the page where you are experiencing trouble.
2. Select the Firefox menu (three horizontal parallel lines) at the top-right of your browser window, then select Web Developer > Network. The Developer Network Tools opens as a docked panel at the side or bottom of Firefox.
3. Click the Network tab.
4. The recording automatically starts when you start performing actions in the browser.
5. Once you have reproduced the issue and you see that all of the actions have been generated in the Developer Network Panel (this should just take a few seconds), right-click anywhere under the File column and click Save all as Har.
6. Save the HAR file, then upload it to your support ticket or attach it to your email so that our Support team can analyze it.

Generating a HAR File in Internet Explorer/Edge

1. Open Internet Explorer and go to the page where the issue is occurring.
2. Press F12 on your keyboard (or click the Gear icon > F12 Developer Tools).
3. Click the Network tab.
4. Reproduce the issue that you were experiencing before, while the network requests are being recorded.
5. Click the Save button when done.
6. Give the trace a file name, then click the Save button to save it as a .har file or .xml file.
7. Upload your HAR file to your support ticket or attach it to your email so that our Support team can analyze it.

Generating a HAR file in Safari

Before generating the HAR file, make sure you can see the Develop menu in Safari. If it is not there, follow the instructions under Use the developer tools in the Develop menu in Safari on Mac.

1. Open the Develop menu and select Show Web Inspector.
2. Click the Network tab and perform the activity that is causing issues.
3. Click the Export icon on the far right of the network tab and save the HAR file.
4. Upload your HAR file to your support ticket or attach it to your email so that our Support team can analyze it.