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Use Pyppeteer to launch Chromium, open a page, and save a screenshot with page.screenshot(). The example below captures the visible viewport; set fullPage=True to capture the full scrollable page. Pyppeteer requires Python 3.8 or later, but its project currently labels the library unmaintained, so consider Playwright Python for a new browser-automation project.
Install Pyppeteer and prepare Chromium
Install the package with pip:
python -m pip install pyppeteerOn first use, Pyppeteer downloads its bundled Chromium if it is not already available. The project README estimates that download at about 150 MB. To fetch it before running your script, use:
pyppeteer-installYou can also configure Pyppeteer to use a suitable Chrome or Chromium binary, but its API reference says compatibility with Chrome versions other than its bundled Chromium is not guaranteed. For the most predictable setup, start with the bundled browser.
Capture a website screenshot to a file
This example follows Pyppeteer’s documented asynchronous flow: launch the browser, create a page, navigate to a URL with its scheme, save the screenshot, and close the browser.
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import asyncio
from pyppeteer import launch
async def main():
browser = await launch()
try:
page = await browser.newPage()
await page.goto("https://example.com")
await page.screenshot({"path": "screenshot.png"})
finally:
await browser.close()
asyncio.get_event_loop().run_until_complete(main())Save the script as, for example, screenshot.py and run python screenshot.py. The output file is written to the current working directory. The try/finally ensures the browser is closed even if navigation or capture raises an error.
Pyppeteer’s goto uses a 30-second timeout by default and waits for the page’s load event by default. Pages that fetch or render important content after that event may need a more specific readiness condition before taking the screenshot.
Choose viewport, full-page, or region capture
Visible viewport
The basic call captures the page area currently visible in the browser viewport. Set viewport dimensions before navigation if the site’s responsive layout matters:
await page.setViewport({"width": 1440, "height": 900})
await page.goto("https://example.com")
await page.screenshot({"path": "viewport.png"})Full scrollable page
Use Pyppeteer’s camel-case option fullPage=True to capture the full scrollable document rather than only the viewport:
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await page.screenshot({"path": "full-page.png", "fullPage": True})This is Pyppeteer’s spelling; do not substitute Playwright’s full_page parameter in Pyppeteer code.
Clip a rectangle
Use clip to capture a rectangular portion of the page, with coordinates and dimensions expressed as x, y, width, and height:
await page.screenshot({
"path": "region.png",
"clip": {"x": 100, "y": 120, "width": 640, "height": 360}
})Set the screenshot format and output
Pyppeteer supports a file path, PNG or JPEG output, JPEG quality, transparent background, and returning image data rather than writing a file. PNG is the default. JPEG quality is relevant when using JPEG; it does not apply to PNG.
- PNG: use
{"path": "shot.png", "type": "png"}, or rely on the default format. - JPEG: use
{"path": "shot.jpg", "type": "jpeg", "quality": 80}. Choose a quality value appropriate to your size-versus-detail needs. - Transparent background: use
"omitBackground": Truewhen the page content supports transparency. This removes the default white background. - In-memory output: omit
pathto obtain screenshot data instead of directing Pyppeteer to a file. The API also supports binary or base64 output.
For example, to write a JPEG with a transparent page background where applicable:
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image_data = await page.screenshot({
"path": "shot.jpg",
"type": "jpeg",
"quality": 80,
"omitBackground": True
})When a path is supplied, Pyppeteer saves the image there; the returned data can also be useful if your application needs to process or transmit the screenshot. Check the API reference for the exact accepted options and return behavior: Pyppeteer API reference.
Wait for content that appears after page load
If a screenshot is missing content, first identify what indicates that the relevant page region is ready. Waiting for a selector is often more robust than using an arbitrary fixed delay:
await page.goto("https://example.com", {"waitUntil": "load"})
await page.waitForSelector(".report-ready")
await page.screenshot({"path": "report.png", "fullPage": True})Replace .report-ready with a selector that appears when the content you need is rendered. The goto timeout can be configured through its options if a page legitimately takes longer than the default; increasing it does not by itself ensure that asynchronously rendered content is ready.
Troubleshoot common Pyppeteer screenshot problems
Chromium download fails or the first run stalls
Pyppeteer downloads Chromium on first use when it is absent. Check that the machine can retrieve the browser and has enough disk space; alternatively, run pyppeteer-install in advance or configure a suitable Chrome binary. The project warns that non-bundled Chrome versions are not guaranteed compatible.
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Navigation times out
goto has a documented 30-second default timeout. Confirm the URL is complete and begins with https:// or http://, and check that the site is reachable from the machine running the script. If the site is simply slow, configure the navigation timeout through the supported options. Do not treat a longer timeout as a substitute for waiting on the page state your capture needs.
The screenshot is blank or misses dynamic content
Determine whether the site’s meaningful content appears after the default load event. Wait for a relevant selector or another condition tied to that content before capturing. A fixed sleep can be too short on a slow run and wasteful on a fast one.
The image only shows the top of the page
The default is a viewport capture. Pass "fullPage": True (or the Python keyword spelling fullPage=True) when you need the full scrollable document.
A Chrome version mismatch causes failures
Pyppeteer works best with its bundled Chromium; compatibility with other Chrome versions is not guaranteed by the API reference. Prefer the bundled version or verify that the configured binary works with your installed Pyppeteer version.
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Maintenance context and a current alternative
The Pyppeteer GitHub README currently labels the project unmaintained and recommends considering Playwright Python. If you are starting a new automation project, evaluate whether Playwright fits: its official Python screenshot documentation covers ordinary, full-page, in-memory, and element screenshots. That is maintenance context, not a claim that migration is drop-in or that one library is faster.
For a hosted screenshot API rather than browser automation in your own Python process, ScreenshotNeo returns screenshots or PDFs from a GET request. It is useful when you want browser setup handled by a service and a response that reports whether a capture was billed.
Or skip the browser setup
One cURL request can save a screenshot without installing Chromium locally. See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.webpScreenshotNeo removes cookie banners, popups, and chat widgets before the shot; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots, and the Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for the free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pyppeteer take a screenshot of the full page by default?
No. The default is the visible viewport; use fullPage=True for the full scrollable document.
Quick Recap
Which Python version does Pyppeteer require?
The project README says Python 3.8 or later.
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