One of the most common issues encountered during automated script playback in web applications is the “Element Not Found” error. This error indicates that the automation engine was unable to locate a UI element (such as a button, field, or link) that was successfully identified during recording.
This article explains why this error occurs, how to systematically debug it, and best practices to minimize its occurrence in future scripts.
What Does “Element Not Found” Mean?
During playback, the automation engine searches the page for an element based on its identification properties (the locators identified by Panaya or using the Panaya AI Self-Healing mechanism).
The error is raised when:
The element does not exist in the DOM at that moment, or
The element exists but does not match the recorded identification criteria.
Common Causes and How to Debug Them
1. Timing and Page Load Issues
Symptoms
Script works intermittently
Fails on slower environments (weaker machines, Proxies, VPNs, etc.).
Why it happens
The script attempts to interact with an element before the page or component has fully loaded.
How to debug
Compare the screenshots to determine the page's status during the instruction playback.
Try to follow the instructions “manually,” one by one, rather than automatically without a break.
Recommended actions
Add or increase the wait time before running the instruction or its timeout.
Add a validation (e.g., Validate Element Exists) and define a condition to run the instruction based on the result (you can also implement a looping mechanism as part of this process)
2. Dynamic or Changing Element Attributes
Symptoms
Element is found during recording but fails during playback
The locator includes long or complex attribute values
Why it happens
Modern web applications often generate dynamic IDs, class names, or attributes that change between sessions.
How to debug
Check the locators during playback to validate which ones fail and examine the errors (e.g., Not Found, Multiple Elements Found).
Inspect the element in the browser developer tools during playback and compare the live attributes with those stored in the instruction Edit Panel.
Recommended actions
Add or update the locators with new, more stable, resilient ones. You can look for a locator in the Developer Tools or try fixing it with LLM
Ensure the AI-Self Healing is turned on in the Script Settings
3. Element Is Inside an iFrame or Shadow DOM
Symptoms
Element is clearly visible in the UI
Script fails consistently at the same instruction and/or at additional instructions in the same area on the screen
Why it happens
iFrames and Shadow DOMs are a form of containers that require additional context switching before elements inside them can be located. Sometimes the element itself remains the same, but the locators for the iframe/Shadow Dom containing it could change.
How to debug
Review the run error. Panaya provides an explicit error when the issue is with identifying the iframe or Shadow DOM vs. the element itself.
Inspect the DOM hierarchy in the browser.
Check whether the element is nested inside an iframe or shadow root and compare it to the iframe/Shadow DOM attributes stored in the instruction Edit Panel.
Recommended actions
Add or update the iFrame/Shadow DOM locators with new, more stable, resilient ones.
4. Application State Is Different from Recording
Symptoms
Script works when run alone, but fails when run as part of a test set
Element appears only under certain conditions
Why it happens
The script assumes a specific application state (logged-in user, selected tab, expanded panel, and previous action completed).
How to debug
Replay the script from the beginning and observe the UI state
You can also use the screenshots in the run results to compare the UI state when the script runs as a stand-alone vs. in a test set
Validate all prerequisite steps before the failing action
Recommended actions
Make scripts self-contained (do not rely on other scripts or on a specific application state)
Add validation instructions to confirm the expected state before proceeding.
5. Element Is Present but Not Clickable, Not Interactable, or not visible
Symptoms
Element exists in the DOM, but playback fails
Hover-based menus or animations are involved
Why it happens
The element may be:
Hidden behind another element
Disabled at the time of interaction
How to debug
Check element visibility and enabled state when running the script or examining the screenshot.
Check the element state in the developer tools
Observe whether additional user interaction (hover, scroll) is required
Recommended actions
Add instructions to:
Scroll the element into view (if needed, e.g, the page has lazy loading)
Hover over a parent element
Wait for the element to become visible and enabled
Affirm that the previous instructions adequately run to ensure the relevant element is enabled when the script reaches it
6. UI Changes After Application Updates
Symptoms
Script previously worked and suddenly fails
Failure appears after a new application release
Why it happens
UI changes such as renamed fields, updated labels, or layout changes can invalidate existing element definitions.
How to debug
Compare the current UI with the recorded or the previous run’s version
Identify renamed or relocated elements
Recommended actions
Re-record or re-identify affected elements
Use reusable components, so updates are applied in one place
Best Practices to Prevent “Element Not Found” Errors
Keep scripts modular and reusable
Validate application state before key actions
Make sure AI Self-Healing is activated
Regularly review and maintain scripts
Summary
“Element Not Found” errors are typically not tool failures, but rather a sign of timing issues, unstable locators, or an unexpected application state. By following a structured debugging approach and applying the best practices outlined above, you can significantly improve script stability and reduce maintenance effort.
If the issue persists after applying these recommendations, contact Panaya Support for further assistance.