Troubleshoot connection issues
If you’re having trouble connecting to Slack on the desktop app or in a browser, learn more about connection issues and how to troubleshoot.
Tip: If you’re an IT or a network admin, learn how to manage connection issues for your network.
Common issues
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Issue |
Error message |
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Slack cannot connect. |
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For some reason, Slack couldn’t load. |
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Sorry! Something has gone wrong, but we’re looking into it. |
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Last updated less than a minute ago… (error will appear in a grey banner) |
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You'll see an error message in the browser that you’re using to access Slack. |
Connectivity failure
The issue
When the Slack desktop app cannot connect, it may be because the settings for your network or any security devices (such as a proxy, firewall, antivirus software or VPN) are interfering.
Steps to troubleshoot
Step 1: Clear the cache and restart Slack
Click on Restart Slack below the error message.
Step 2: Collect and send us your net logs
If you’re still having trouble, collect your net logs on the Slack desktop app and send them to us so that we can investigate further. To collect net logs, click on the Download logs button below the error message or use the steps below.
- Open the Slack desktop app, then click Help in your computer's top menu bar. (If you’re on Windows 10, click the ☰ three lines icon in the top left of the Slack app.)
- Select Troubleshooting, then click on Restart and collect net logs. The app will restart. Once it does, you’ll see a pop-up window with the message Your log is in progress.
- Use Slack as you usually would. When the issue occurs, go back to the pop-up window and click Stop logging.
- Locate the zip file in the Downloads folder on your computer.
- Send us a note with the file attached.
Loading trouble
The issue
Slack is having trouble loading on the desktop app or in a browser. When this happens, browser extensions or a security device may be interfering, or there could be an issue on Slack’s end.
Steps to troubleshoot
Step 1: Clear your cache
Desktop
Browser
- Open the Slack desktop app, then click Help in your computer's top menu bar. (If you’re on Windows 10, click the ☰ three lines icon in the top left of the Slack app.)
- Select Troubleshooting.
- Click Clear cache and restart.
- Clear your web browser's cache. These steps will vary depending on which browser you're using.
- Open Slack in a private or Incognito window. If you can connect to Slack, the issue may be due to a browser extension. Disable any browser extensions to see if this allows Slack to load in a normal browser window.
Step 2: Run the Slack connection test
- Visit slack.com/help/test to check your connection to Slack.
- If there are any errors, contact your network administrator.
Step 3: Collect and send us your net logs
If you’re still having trouble, collect and send us your net logs so that we can investigate further. You can collect net logs from either the desktop app or Google Chrome, depending on which you’re using when the issue occurs. If you’re having trouble with both the desktop app and browser, use the steps below for the desktop app.
Desktop app
Google Chrome
- Open the Slack desktop app, then click Help in your computer's top menu bar. (If you’re on Windows 10, click the ☰ three lines icon in the top left of the Slack app.)
- Select Troubleshooting, then click on Restart and collect net logs. The app will restart. Once it does, you’ll see a pop-up window with the message Your log is in progress.
- Use Slack as you usually would. When the issue occurs, go back to the pop-up window and click Stop logging.
- Locate the zip file in the Downloads folder on your computer.
- Send us a note with the file attached.
- Open Google Chrome and go to the following link: chrome://net-export/.
- Click Start logging to disk.
- Save the file as slackNetlog.
- Open a new tab in Google Chrome, then open your Slack workspace.
- Use Slack as you usually would. When the issue occurs, go back to the chrome://net-export/ tab, and click Stop logging.
- Locate the slackNetlog file in the Downloads folder on your computer.
- Send us a note with the file attached.
Note: If you're using a browser that isn’t Google Chrome, send us a note and we'll help you troubleshoot further.
Server error
The issue
An error with Slack’s server may be preventing the desktop app or browser from connecting and loading.
Steps to troubleshoot
Step 1: Reload Slack
- Open Slack from the desktop app or in a browser.
- Use ⌘R (Mac) or CtrlR (Windows/Linux).
Step 2: Contact us
If you're still having trouble, visit the Slack status site to see whether there are any issues that we're currently working to resolve. If that's not the case, get in touch with us and we'll help you troubleshoot further.
WebSocket trouble
The issue
When Slack is having trouble maintaining WebSocket connections on the desktop app or in a browser, you won’t automatically receive any new messages from your channels or direct messages (DMs).
Steps to troubleshoot
Step 1: Contact your network administrator
Get in touch with your network administrator to ensure that WebSocket connections are supported. In addition, ask them to inspect any connection attempts to the following domains:
- wss-primary.slack.com
- wss-backup.slack.com
- wss-mobile.slack.com
Step 2: Collect and send us your net logs
If you’re still having trouble, collect and send us your net logs so that we can investigate further. You can collect net logs from either the desktop app or Google Chrome, depending on which you’re using when the issue occurs. If you’re having trouble with both the desktop app and browser, use the steps below for the desktop app.
Desktop app
Google Chrome
- Open the Slack desktop, then click Help in your computer's top menu bar. (If you’re on Windows 10, click the ☰ three lines icon in the top left of the Slack app.)
- Select Troubleshooting, then click on Restart and collect net logs. The app will restart. Once it does, you’ll see a pop-up window with the message Your log is in progress.
- Use Slack as you usually would. When the issue occurs, go back to the pop-up window and click Stop logging.
- Locate the zip file in the Downloads folder on your computer.
- Send us a note with the file attached.
- Open Google Chrome and go to the following link: chrome://net-export/.
- Click Start logging to disk.
- Save the file as slackNetlog.
- Open a new tab in Google Chrome, then open your Slack workspace.
- Use Slack as you usually would. When the issue occurs, go back to the chrome://net-export/ tab, and click Stop logging.
- Locate the slackNetlog file in the Downloads folder on your computer.
- Send us a note with the file attached.
Note: If you're using a browser that isn’t Google Chrome, send us a note, and we'll help you troubleshoot further.
Browser errors
The issue
You’re seeing an error with the browser that you’re using to access Slack. Here’s an example from Google Chrome:
Steps to troubleshoot
- If applicable, use the troubleshooting steps included in your browser’s error message.
- Make sure that the browser you're using is supported and up to date. Visit Minimum requirements for using Slack for more details.
- Clear your web browser's cache (these steps will vary depending on the browser that you're using).
- Open Slack in a private or Incognito window to see if you can connect to Slack. If you can connect in a private or Incognito window, the issue may be due to a browser extension. Disable any browser extensions to see if this allows Slack to load in a normal browser window.
- Reach out to your network administrator.
- Contact us if you need further assistance.