Data scraping in Octoparse can sometimes fail due to workflow misconfigurations or website restrictions like IP blocking. This guide outlines the most common problems and their practical solutions to help you get your tasks running smoothly.
1. Incomplete or Missing Data
Problem: The task runs but extracts fewer rows or items than expected.
Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
Extract only 1,000 rows | A configuration error or limitation of the website. | 1. Confirm that the website does allow accessing more than 1000 rows. Many websites fail to load information after a certain number of pages. 2. Verify the workflow to make sure pagination does not skip pages. |
Scrapes only the first page | Wrong configuration for loop item. | 1. Verify if Open in a new tab is enabled for click item 2. Try to add back to the previous page step.
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Scrapes only some items from a list | Missing items in the loop. | 1. Change the loop's mode from a Fixed List to a Variable List so it can detect all available items. 2. Modify the XPath of loop item to locate all the items. |
Task stops without data scraped | Web page loading error | 1. Confirm web page loads well 2. Adding wait time for steps Resources: Why does my task stop shortly after it runs? |
2. Looping Problems
Problem: The task's loop logic is incorrect, causing it to behave unexpectedly.
Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
Loops through the same row repeatedly | Incorrect loop logic. | Ensure the Extract data in the loop is selected. Resources: Why do I get so many duplicates? |
Fails to transition between links (e.g., months, categories) | Not open new tab for the pages. | Ensure Open in a new tab option is enabled for click item. |
Infinite loop on the last page | The task can't detect that the "Next" button is gone or disabled. | If you know the page count, set a fixed repeat number for pagination. Otherwise, modify the pagination XPath to make sure the disabled button is not found. |
Loop fails to locate data | The webpage structure uses complex code. | Use precise XPath selectors (e.g., |
3. Website Access & Blocking
Problem: The task is blocked or cannot access the website data.
Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
Task halts; connection errors | The website has blocked Octoparse's IP range. | Use Octoparse's built-in proxy to make your scraping requests appear to come from different IPs and avoid blocks. |
4. Data Fields Problems
Problem: The task scrapes the data into wrong columns or scrapes nothing for some columns.
Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
Data mismatched or missing | Data position is not fixed on pages. | Customize XPath for data fields to ensure scraping the correct data. |
Best Practices for Troubleshooting
Test on a Small Scale: Always run your workflow on a small sample (e.g., 2-3 items or pages) first to verify the logic before a full run.
Inspect the Website: Use your browser's Developer Tools (F12) to examine the page's HTML structure and find a reliable XPath.
Add Wait Times: Incorporate wait times after actions like clicks or page loads to ensure dynamic content has time to appear.
Leverage Resources: Consult Octoparse’s official documentation, video tutorials, and community forum for examples and guidance.
Conclusion
Most scraping issues can be resolved by carefully reviewing your workflow configuration and using proxies to avoid IP blocks. For persistent problems, feel free to contact the Octoparse support team for help!