Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRun Playwright tests with a visible browser by adding --headed: npx playwright test --headed. Playwright calls this headed mode; tests run headless by default. If the browser will not launch, check for a display first—Linux CI without one typically needs Xvfb—then verify that the matching Playwright browser and required system dependencies are installed.
Run tests with a visible browser
From your project directory, run:
npx playwright test --headedThis runs the configured test suite with browser windows visible. To run only one configured project, specify its project name; to narrow the run to a file, provide its path:
npx playwright test --headed --project=chromium
npx playwright test tests/example.spec.ts --headedchromium must match a project name in your local Playwright configuration. If your project uses a different name, substitute that name.
Choose a one-off run or a persistent headed setting
Use the CLI for an occasional visible run
--headed is the simplest choice when you want to inspect a particular test run without changing project defaults.
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Set headed mode in the test configuration
To make test-runner launches headed by default, set headless: false in the use configuration:
import { defineConfig } from '@playwright/test';
export default defineConfig({
use: { headless: false },
});Set headed mode for a direct browser launch
If your code launches a browser directly rather than using the test runner, pass headless: false to browserType.launch(). You can add slowMo when slowing browser actions helps you follow them during debugging.
Debug tests interactively
For step-by-step inspection, use Playwright’s debugging options:
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npx playwright test --debug
npx playwright test --ui--debug launches the Playwright Inspector with headed execution, a single worker, and relaxed timeout behavior. --ui opens the interactive test UI. For a straightforward visible-browser run, use --headed.
Fix browser launch errors by checking the environment
A generic “Failed to launch browser” message does not identify one root cause. Work through these checks in order: display availability, matching browser installation, Linux system dependencies, then browser startup logs.
Linux CI or a container has no display
Headed execution needs a usable display. Linux CI agents without a physical display generally need Xvfb. Install it in the environment, then wrap the test command:
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xvfb-run npx playwright test --headedWithout a display server, adding --headed alone does not make a Linux container able to show a browser window.
The expected browser executable is missing or mismatched
Playwright browser binaries are tied to Playwright releases. Install the browser build expected by the Playwright package in your project:
npx playwright installRun this from the project environment so the CLI corresponds to the installed Playwright version. After upgrading Playwright, reinstall its browsers if the expected executable is absent or does not match.
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Linux reports missing libraries or system packages
Install the browser binaries and operating-system dependencies with:
npx playwright install --with-depsWhere that combined command is not suitable for your environment, use the CLI’s install-deps command to install system dependencies. On managed CI machines, you may need the environment administrator to provide packages.
Headed Chromium fails after a headless-only install
Check whether Chromium was installed with the --only-shell option. A headless-only setup may contain the headless shell rather than the regular Chromium build used for headed operation. Review the install options and installed browser set, then install the regular browser build with the project’s Playwright CLI.
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Browser downloads fail behind a proxy or certificate inspection
A failed download is an installation or connectivity problem, not necessarily a browser launch problem. For an intercepted, untrusted certificate authority, Playwright documents NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS; for slow downloads, it documents PLAYWRIGHT_DOWNLOAD_CONNECTION_TIMEOUT. Address the download environment, then retry the browser installation.
The launch error remains unclear
Enable Playwright browser startup logs and rerun the same command:
DEBUG=pw:browser npx playwright test --headedUse the output to help distinguish executable, dependency, and display issues. Keep the same project and test selection as the failing command when practical, so the logs reflect the failure you are investigating.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Useful command sequence
These commands cover the common run, install, Linux display, and diagnostic cases:
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# Run all configured tests with visible browsers
npx playwright test --headed
# Run only the Chromium project
npx playwright test --headed --project=chromium
# Install browser binaries for this Playwright package
npx playwright install
# On Linux, install browsers and system dependencies
npx playwright install --with-deps
# Headed Linux CI without a physical display
xvfb-run npx playwright test --headed
# Inspect browser startup logs
DEBUG=pw:browser npx playwright test --headedOr skip the browser setup
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