How to generate a HAR and log file in Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Safari

This article explains how to generate a HAR (HTTP Archive) file and browser log, which MediRecords Support uses to diagnose issues with network requests, errors, or slow loading. It covers generating a HAR file in Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Safari, and reviewing and sharing the result. This applies to anyone raising a technical support ticket where Support has requested a HAR file.

Contents:

1. Generating a HAR and Log File in Chrome
2. Generating a HAR and Log File in Microsoft Edge
3. Generating a HAR and Log File in Firefox
4. Generating a HAR and Log File in Safari
5. Reviewing and Sharing Your HAR File
6. Troubleshooting
   • Developer Tools Will Not Open
   • The Export or Save HAR Option is Missing or Greyed Out
   • The Network Log is Empty after Refreshing
   • The HAR File is Too Large to Attach

Generating a HAR and Log File in Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Go to the webpage where the issue occurs.
3. Select Chrome menu > More Tools > Developer Tools.
4. Select the Network tab.
5. Within the Network tab, select the Preserve log checkbox.
6. Select the red record circle at the top left of the Network tab to start recording.
7. Refresh the page and reproduce the issue, allowing Chrome to record the browser-website interaction.
8. Once the page has loaded, select Export HAR (the downward-facing arrow icon), then select Save as and name the file.
9. Return to the Network tab, right-click anywhere in the Name column, and select Save all as HAR with content.
10. Attach the HAR file to your support ticket.

Generating a HAR and Log File in Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Go to the webpage where the issue occurs.
3. Press F12 (or Ctrl + Shift + I on Windows) to open Developer Tools.
4. Select the Network tab.
5. Within the Network tab, select the Preserve log checkbox.
6. Refresh the page and reproduce the issue, allowing Microsoft Edge to record the browser-website interaction.
7. Right-click anywhere within the Network panel and select Save all as HAR with Content.
8. Save the HAR file to your computer.
9. Attach the HAR file to your support ticket.

Generating a HAR and Log File in Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Go to the webpage where the issue occurs.
3. Select Firefox menu > Web Developer > Network.
4. Within the Network tab, select the Preserve log checkbox.
5. Refresh the page and reproduce the issue, allowing Firefox to record the browser-website interaction.
6. Once the page has loaded, right-click within the Network tab and select Save All As HAR.
7. Attach the HAR file to your support ticket.

Generating a HAR and Log File in Safari

1. Open Safari.
2. Go to the webpage where the issue occurs.
3. Enable Developer Tools: select Safari > Preferences > Advanced, then select Show Develop menu in menu bar.
4. Select Develop > Show Web Inspector, then select the Network tab.
5. Within the Network tab, select the Preserve log checkbox.
6. Refresh the page and reproduce the issue, allowing Safari to record the browser-website interaction.
7. Once the page has loaded, select Export at the top right of the Network tab.
8. Select the Console tab and take a screenshot of any errors shown.
9. Attach the HAR file and the console screenshot to your support ticket.

Note: Enabling the Develop menu only needs to be done once. If Develop already appears in your Safari menu bar, you can skip straight to selecting Develop > Show Web Inspector.

Reviewing and Sharing Your HAR File

Troubleshooting

Developer Tools Will Not Open

Cause: The keyboard shortcut or menu option for Developer Tools can be blocked by a browser extension, a locked-down device policy (common on managed work computers), or by using the wrong key combination for your operating system.

Resolution: Try the alternative method listed above for your browser, for example the menu path instead of a keyboard shortcut. Restart the browser and try again, or test on a different device if one is available.

Escalate to Support if: Developer Tools still will not open using any method after a restart. This may indicate the feature has been disabled by an IT policy, which will need to be resolved with your IT team, or if the issue is preventing you from raising your original support request.
 

The Export or Save HAR Option is Missing or Greyed Out

Cause: This option is usually greyed out because no network activity has been captured yet, for example if the Network tab was opened after the page had already finished loading, or Preserve log was not selected before refreshing.

Resolution: Confirm Preserve log is selected, then refresh the page and reproduce the issue again before attempting to export. The option should become available once at least one request appears in the list.

Escalate to Support if: The export option remains unavailable even after network requests are visible in the panel.
 

The Network Log is Empty after Refreshing

Cause: This is usually caused by Preserve log not being selected before the refresh, the Network tab being opened after the page had already loaded, or the page loading from the browser's cache rather than making new requests.

Resolution: Select Preserve log, then refresh the page again. A hard refresh (for example Ctrl+F5 on Windows or Cmd+Shift+R on Mac) can help if the page appears to be loading from cache, and reproduce the issue while the Network tab is open.

Escalate to Support if: The Network log stays empty after trying a hard refresh and confirming Preserve log is enabled.
 

The HAR File is Too Large to Attach

Cause: A HAR file can capture the full content of every request and response made while recording, so a longer recording session or a page with a lot of activity can produce a file that exceeds the attachment size limit on a support ticket.

Resolution: Keep the recording as short as possible: start recording immediately before reproducing the issue and stop shortly afterwards, rather than leaving the Network tab recording for an extended session. If the file is still too large, compress it into a ZIP file before attaching it.

Escalate to Support if: A compressed HAR file still cannot be attached to your ticket. Contact Support directly so they can arrange another secure way for you to send it.

Further Reading

• How to Clear your Internet Browser's Cache?
• Trouble Logging In