Console logs

Capture browser console output during recordings to debug client-side errors faster.

Console logs capture what your app wrote to the browser console during the session. This is the fastest way to debug client-side failures without asking customers to open DevTools.

Availability

Console logs are captured for widget-based recordings when enabled by an admin.

You typically need:

  • The Screendesk widget installed on your site

  • Console logging enabled in workspace settings

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Console logs start capturing after you enable the feature. Older recordings won’t be backfilled.

Enable console logs (admin)

1

Install the widget (if needed)

Console capture relies on the Screendesk script on your site.

See Installing Screendesk scriptarrow-up-right.

2

Turn on console capture

Go to Settings → Console Logs.

Enable Enable Console Logs.

3

Verify on a test recording

Create a new test recording. Then confirm you see a Console tab on the recording.

Where to find console logs

  1. Open a recording.

  2. Click the Console tab.

  3. Use search and level filters to narrow down noise.

How to use console logs (fast workflow)

1

Find the first real error

Start with Error entries. Ignore repeated follow-on errors at first.

2

Correlate with the video

Jump to the timestamp. Watch what the user did right before the error.

3

Escalate with the right payload

Include:

  • Error message

  • Stack trace

  • Timestamp

  • Recording link

chevron-rightCommon patterns (with examples)hashtag

Uncaught TypeError

Usually a frontend bug or missing data. Escalate with the stack trace.

CORS blocked

Usually a server header or environment mismatch. Pair this with the failing request in network logs.

Failed resource / 404

Usually a bad URL, missing asset, or wrong environment.

Deprecation warnings

These are rarely the direct cause. Track as tech debt unless they block the flow.

Console logs vs. network logs

Use console logs when:

  • UI breaks and you suspect frontend code

  • You need stack traces and error context

Use network logs when:

  • Data doesn’t load

  • You need status codes, payloads, and responses

See Network Logsarrow-up-right.

Privacy and security

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Recommended practices:

  • Restrict access to technical roles.

  • Redact secrets before sharing outside your org.

  • Avoid copying full logs into public tickets.

Troubleshooting

chevron-rightI don’t see a Console tabhashtag

Check these in order:

  1. Console logging is enabled in Settings → Console Logs.

  2. The Screendesk widget is installed on the page being recorded.

  3. You’re testing with a new recording (no backfill).

  4. Browser extensions aren’t blocking the widget.

chevron-rightConsole logs are emptyhashtag

This can be normal. Some apps don’t log anything unless there’s an error.

Try reproducing again, or add targeted logging in your app for the failing flow.

chevron-rightThere are too many logshashtag

Filter to Error first. Then search for the API endpoint or feature keyword.

If this is persistent, reduce verbose debug logs in production builds.

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