TypeError: WebDriver.__init__() got multiple values for argument 'options' None of the other posts helped me

ADEAUTOMOBILE

2 min read

·

02-10-2024

25

0

Share

"TypeError: WebDriver.init() got multiple values for argument 'options'" - A Selenium WebDriver Error Explained

This error message pops up when you're working with Selenium and attempting to initialize a WebDriver instance. It indicates a conflict in how you're providing options for the browser. Let's break down why this error occurs and how to fix it.

Understanding the Error

The error "TypeError: WebDriver.init() got multiple values for argument 'options'" arises when you provide conflicting arguments to the WebDriver.__init__() method. It's typically due to supplying both the options argument (as an object) and other parameters that already imply options, like chrome_options or firefox_options. This creates a duplicate situation, causing the error.

Example Scenario

Here's a typical scenario:

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options

chrome_options = Options()
chrome_options.add_argument("--headless")

driver = webdriver.Chrome(options=chrome_options, chrome_options=chrome_options) # Error!

In this code, we define chrome_options to set the browser to run headless. We then attempt to initialize a ChromeDriver with both options=chrome_options and chrome_options=chrome_options - this is where the problem lies.

Solution

The solution is simple: choose one method of specifying options and stick with it.

1. Using the options argument:

   from selenium import webdriver
   from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options
   
   chrome_options = Options()
   chrome_options.add_argument("--headless")
   
   driver = webdriver.Chrome(options=chrome_options) 
   

   Here, we initialize the WebDriver using the options parameter, passing the chrome_options object.

2. Using the dedicated options object:

   from selenium import webdriver
   from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options
   
   chrome_options = Options()
   chrome_options.add_argument("--headless")
   
   driver = webdriver.Chrome(options=chrome_options)
   

   This approach directly initializes the ChromeDriver using the chrome_options object.

Key Takeaways

• Avoid redundancy: When configuring your WebDriver, don't use multiple parameters that specify the same options.
• Choose a single method: Stick to either the options argument or the dedicated browser options object.
• Review your code: Carefully check your code for any instances of conflicting options and ensure you're providing them correctly.

Additional Tips

• Use print statements: If you're still unsure about the options you're providing, add print statements to display the values of the options objects before initializing the WebDriver. This can help you identify any errors.
• Consult Documentation: Always refer to the official Selenium documentation for specific details on options and arguments for each browser you're working with.

Let me know if you have any more questions. Happy coding!