Fix: FAFSA on the Web has Encountered an Error
The FAFSA website might show the web error mainly due to browser or network issues. The browser issues might range from an incompatible browser extension to corrupt cache/cookies of the browser. The issue arises when a user tries to submit his form or application to the FAFSA website but fails to do so with the error under discussion. The problem is not limited to a particular browser, device, or ISP. Here is the full error message:
FAFSA website might show the error at hand due to the following main factors:
- An Adblocking Browser Extension: If an Adblocking browser extension is interfering with the communication between your device and FAFSA servers which makes the data packets un-parse-able on the client/server, then that could result in the FAFSA error at hand.
- Corrupt Cache and Cookies of the Browser: You may encounter the error under discussion if the browser’s cookies or cache are corrupt as the server fails to authenticate the client credentials.
- Incompatible Browser: The FAFSA website may show a web error if the browser you are using to access the website is not compatible with the website as it may not let essential website modules properly render on the client machine.
- ISP’s Interference: If the ISP is interfering with the web data exchange between your device and FAFSA in a way that the exchanged data packets cannot be rendered on the client or server, then that may cause the FAFSA web error.
1. Disable the Adblocker Extension of Your Browser
If the adblocking extension of your browser is hindering the communication between your device and FAFSA servers, then that may cause the FAFSA error under discussion as the essential website modules fail to execute on the target device. Here, disabling the adblocker extension of your browser may solve the problem. For illustration, we will discuss the process for the Chrome browser. Before proceeding, make sure the FAFSA servers are up and running.
- Launch Chrome and expand its Extensions menu by clicking the Extensions icon.
Open Manage Extensions in Chrome - Then select Manage Extensions and afterward, locate your adblocking extension.
Disable AdBlock in the Extensions Menu - Now disable your adblocking extension (like Adblock) by toggling its status switch to OFF and then relaunch Chrome.
- Upon relaunch, check if you can successfully access the FAFSA website.
- If not, check if disabling all the browser extensions clears the FAFSA error.
2. Launch the Browser in Incognito or Private Mode
If the browser’s cache/cookies are corrupt or a browser extension is hindering the proper loading of the FAFSA website on your browser, then that can result in the error at hand. Here, launching the browser in Incognito or InPrivate mode may clear the error.
2.1 Launch Chrome in the Incognito Mode
- Launch the Chrome browser and expand its Menu.
- Now select New Incognito Window and then check if the FAFSA website is loading fine.
Open New Incognito Window in Chrome
2.2 Launch Firefox in the Private Mode
- Launch the Firefox browser and expand its Menu.
- Now select New Private Window and afterward, check if the FAFSA website is opening normally.
Open New Private Window in Firefox
3. Clear Cache and Cookies of the Browser
FAFSA website might show the error at hand if the cache/cookies of the browser are corrupt as the website fails to authenticate the client device. In this case, clearing cache/cookies of the browser may resolve the FAFSA issue. Before proceeding, make sure to back up the website’s logins. For elucidation, we will discuss the process of clearing the cache and cookies of the Chrome browser.
- Launch the Chrome browser and head to the FAFSA website.
- Now, when the error is shown, click on the padlock icon in the address bar and select Cookies.
Open the FAFSA Website Cookies from the Browser’s Address Bar - Then select a cookie and click on Remove.
Remove FAFSA Cookies from the Chrome Browser - Now repeat the same to clear all the FAFSA-related cookies and afterward, check if the website loads fine.
- If not, expand Chrome’s Menu and select More Tools.
- Now open Clear Browsing Data and near the bottom of the screen, click on Sign Out.
Open Clear Browsing Data in the Chrome Menu - Then, in the Advanced tab, select the Time-Range of All-Time and click on the checkboxes to select all the categories.
- Now click on Clear Data and once done, relaunch the browser to check if the FAFSA website is loading fine.
Clear Browsing Data of All Time in Chrome
4. Try Another Browser
You may encounter the FAFSA error if the browser you are using to access the FAFSA website is not compatible with the website and is hindering the proper loading of the website on your device. Here, trying another browser to access the FAFSA website may clear the error.
- Download and install another browser on your device (if already not installed).
- Now launch the other browser and check if the FAFSA website is working fine.
5. Try Another Network
You may encounter the error under discussion on the FAFSA website if your device’s network is interfering with the communication between your device and the FAFSA server as the essential website modules are failing to execute on the client machine. In this scenario, trying another network may clear the FAFSA error.
- Disconnect your device from the current network and connect it to another network (like a phone’s hotspot).
Enable Hotspot on the iPhone - Now check if the FAFSA website is loading fine on your machine.
- If not, download and install a VPN client on your device.
- Now launch the VPN client and connect it to a preferred location (as close to your original location, if not station abroad).
- Then re-launch your browser and upon relaunch, check if the FAFSA website has started to load fine.
If none of the above worked, wait for 24 hours and then try again. If that did not work, check if the FAFSA app works fine on your phone and get the job done. If not, then you may contact FAFSA support to resolve the issue.
