IE always opens with random local host and message: "This is the initial start page for the WebDriver server"

Question

I have my WebDriver tests running parallel in IE, Chrome and firefox. When I run test in IE browser it node gets registered with the hub, and the browser opens and it gets redirected to some random localhost and it gives the message:

This is the initial start page for the WebDriver server.

I'm running my script on Secured Browser, I tried with all the way's:

setCapability(InternetExplorerDriver.IE_ENSURE_CLEAN_SESSION, true);
setCapability(CapabilityType.ACCEPT_SSL_CERTS, true);
setCapability(InternetExplorerDriver.IGNORE_ZOOM_SETTING, true);
setCapability(InternetExplorerDriver.NATIVE_EVENTS, false);
setCapability(InternetExplorerDriver.INITIAL_BROWSER_URL, "");

But still I am getting this is in the initial start page of browser error it was not Executing or Failing.

All zoom setting in IE was 100%
protected mode was on.

please help me what could be the problem and possible work around.

platform:Windows XP, IE8 browser

The same is running well in Firefox and Chrome.

Answer 1

This is as designed, so there is nothing to worry about. You can then start opening your website using driver.Navigate().GoToURL() method.

Answer 2

In IE, this will usually show as the default page at the start of a test, until you provide it with a valid URL to navigate to.

Especially if you attempt to do something to the present (empty) page, it may cause an exception or problem - for example, trying to maximise the window with javascript causing this issue.

The first thing your test should do is navigate to a valid page, and then things should work smoothly at that point.

Answer 3

The same issue occurs when you didn't configure IE properly according to manual: InternetExplorer configuration Make sure:

1. Zoom is set to 100%
2. Protected Mode settings for each zone have the same value

Answer 4

Try this code,

 DesiredCapabilities caps = DesiredCapabilities.internetExplorer();
 caps.setCapability(InternetExplorerDriver.INITIAL_BROWSER_URL, "");
 WebDriver driver = new InternetExplorerDriver(caps);