What to do when you get a Script Error

So what are script errors?

It’s just one of those annoying things that computers do once in a while: a script error pops up and you aren’t sure what to do about it.

Usually a script error is the result of a problem with the source code on the page, or perhaps it is a problem with your system or your settings. Sometimes the settings on a computer or on a network may have been set to block some items like Java Applets or Active X controls. If you can adjust those settings that will often clear up the problem right away.

What to do when you get a Script Error on the Web

If you are on the Internet and get a script error, it is usually a problem with the web page itself. In that case, the matter is fairly out of your hands. If you want though, you can notify the webmaster of that page (there is usually a “contact” link) so that he can fix the problem and others don’t experience it.

Dealing with Common Script Errors

Most of the time there is a script error is caused by a program trying to run a script and there is a problem in the code, something that the programmer didn’t get right or a situation they didn’t anticipate. It usually is more of a nuisance than a real problem that will cause your system to quit functioning. It can be very annoying, however, especially if it continues to pop up.

What to do…

• The majority of the time you can spot the problem fairly easy. It often happens when you go to a new web page, or it jumps up when you install an add-on to a program like Word, Excel, or Internet Explorer. If that is the case, try uninstalling the add-on or going to another web page. If that stops the script error pop ups, then you know that was probably the cause of the error.
• If the cause is not readily evident, check your temporary Internet files and clear them out. It is occasionally a problem with a driver, so it is good practice to ensure that your drivers are always up to date. For example, if you’re trying to scan a document and keep getting a script error, try updating your scanner driver and see if that fixes the problem.