## **🔍 Overview**

If Search Atlas is buffering, stuck on a loading screen, or displaying unexpected errors, several common factors could be responsible — from browser settings to temporary platform issues. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes to get you back up and running quickly.

## **⚠️ Common Symptoms**

- The platform loads indefinitely without displaying content
- Pages or projects are stuck in a loading state
- An unexpected error screen appears on the homepage
- The UI flickers or shakes while navigating
- Tools such as Site Explorer return an Error 500 or fail to load results
- Restricted browser pages show an infinite loader instead of a clear error message

## **🛠️ Step-by-Step Troubleshooting**

1. **Refresh the page.** Press **Ctrl + Shift + R** (Windows) or **Cmd + Shift + R** (Mac) to perform a hard refresh. This forces the browser to reload all assets instead of using a cached version.
2. **Clear your browser cache and cookies.** Outdated cached data is one of the most common causes of loading problems. In Chrome, go to **Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear Browsing Data**, select **Cached images and files** and **Cookies**, then click **Clear data**.
3. **Disable browser extensions.** Extensions — especially ad blockers, VPNs, or script blockers — can interfere with platform requests. Open an **Incognito / Private window** (which disables most extensions by default) and try loading Search Atlas again.
4. **Check your internet connection.** Run a speed test at a site such as fast.com. A slow or unstable connection can cause requests to time out, resulting in buffering or error 524 messages.
5. **Try a different browser or device.** If Search Atlas loads correctly in another browser (e.g., Firefox or Edge) or on a different device, the issue is isolated to your original browser environment.
6. **Check for platform-wide issues.** Intermittent errors (such as ERR\_FAILED 524 or Error 500) are sometimes caused by temporary server-side conditions. If multiple tools or projects are affected at the same time, the issue may resolve on its own within a few minutes. Wait a short while and try again.
7. **Avoid restricted browser pages.** Certain Chrome pages (such as chrome:// URLs or browser extension pages) block external scripts and can trigger an infinite loader. Always access Search Atlas through a standard browser tab using a regular https:// URL.

## **✅ Best Practices to Prevent Loading Issues**

- Keep your browser updated to the latest stable version.
- Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for the best compatibility with Search Atlas.
- Avoid running Search Atlas alongside resource-heavy applications that may limit available memory or bandwidth.
- If you use a VPN or proxy, try disabling it temporarily — these tools can reroute traffic in ways that cause timeout errors.

## **📋 Information to Have Ready Before Contacting Support**

If the steps above do not resolve your issue, gathering the following details in advance will help our team diagnose the problem faster:

- The browser name and version you are using
- The specific tool or page where the loading issue occurs (e.g., Site Explorer, Homepage)
- A screenshot or screen recording of the error or buffering state
- Approximately when the issue started
- Whether the issue happens consistently or only intermittently

## **💬 Still Need Help?**

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type **human teammate** to be connected with a member of our team.