Error in Selenium Python - Cannot create webdriver

Question

I am using Selenium (Python) to create a webdriver. It was working fine a few hours ago. But now it gives the following exception:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/local/data2/mwaqar/opt/Python-2.7.4/lib/python2.7/threading.py", line 810, in __bootstrap_inner
    self.run()
  File "/local/data2/mwaqar/opt/Python-2.7.4/lib/python2.7/threading.py", line 763, in run
    self.__target(*self.__args, **self.__kwargs)
  File "/cshome/mwaqar/AEK/AEK_extract_community.py", line 49, in extract_community
    driver = webdriver.Firefox()
  File "/local/data2/mwaqar/opt/Virtual-Python-2.7.4/lib/python2.7/site-packages/selenium-2.33.0-py2.7.egg/selenium/webdriver/firefox/webdriver.py", line 61, in __init__
    self.binary, timeout),
  File "/local/data2/mwaqar/opt/Virtual-Python-2.7.4/lib/python2.7/site-packages/selenium-2.33.0-py2.7.egg/selenium/webdriver/firefox/extension_connection.py", line 47, in __init__
    self.binary.launch_browser(self.profile)
  File "/local/data2/mwaqar/opt/Virtual-Python-2.7.4/lib/python2.7/site-packages/selenium-2.33.0-py2.7.egg/selenium/webdriver/firefox/firefox_binary.py", line 51, in launch_browser
    self._wait_until_connectable()
  File "/local/data2/mwaqar/opt/Virtual-Python-2.7.4/lib/python2.7/site-packages/selenium-2.33.0-py2.7.egg/selenium/webdriver/firefox/firefox_binary.py", line 95, in _wait_until_connectable
    self.profile.path, self._get_firefox_output()))
WebDriverException: Message: 'Can\'t load the profile. Profile Dir: /cshome/mwaqar/AEK/tmpgZ0n_J Firefox output: \n(Gecko:32421): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "clearlooks",\n*** LOG addons.xpi: startup\n*** LOG addons.xpi: checkForChanges\n*** LOG addons.xpi: No changes found\n*** LOG addons.xpi: Add-ons list is invalid, rebuilding\n*** LOG addons.xpi-utils: Opening database\n'

I have no idea what is causing this. Can somebody provide any pointers?

UPDATE: The code I am using is simple

from pyvirtualdisplay import Display
from selenium import webdriver

display = Display(size=(800,600), visible=0)
display.start()

driver = webdriver.Firefox() # gives exception

Try to disable/uninstall clearlooks addon. I think its hurting the webdriver I guess — Vikram
– Vikram, Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 6:19
I don't even use Firefox. If this is the issue, how was it working fine a few hours ago? — Muhammad Waqar
– Muhammad Waqar, Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 6:22
Probably you should paste the code to give better answer. I am assuming that you are running on Firefox by looking at the Exception — Vikram
– Vikram, Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 6:23

Muhammad Waqar · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-27 17:32:10Z

0

I managed to solve the problem. The problem was that since I had executed the script a lot of times, therefore, many Firefox user profiles (corresponding to a webdriver instance) were present in /tmp/ and /var/tmp/ directories (by the name of tmp*). As soon as I removed these directories, the problem vanished.

answered Jun 27, 2013 at 17:32

Muhammad Waqar

8893 gold badges14 silver badges31 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Error in Selenium Python - Cannot create webdriver

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related