karatelabs/karate · error · DriverException

inputFile not supported by this driver

Error message

inputFile not supported by this driver

What it means

Driver.inputFile(String, String...) is a default method that drivers must override to support file uploads. The default implementation throws this DriverException, meaning the active driver (e.g. a minimal or custom Driver implementation) does not implement file upload. Note the resolved path must exist on the machine the browser runs on, not the machine running Karate.

Solutions

1. Upgrade or fix the driver implementation so it overrides inputFile (re-check the adapter version matches your Karate version)
2. If using a remote browser, ensure the file path exists on the browser machine and pass it verbatim with the file: prefix
3. As a workaround, set the input value directly (driver.value(locator, path)) where the driver/browser supports it

Example fix

// before
customDriver.inputFile("#upload", "/tmp/report.pdf"); // throws
// after
// use a driver that overrides inputFile, e.g. Chrome/Edge/Gecko driver
driver.inputFile("#upload", "file:///tmp/report.pdf");

// detect support before calling:
// if (!(driver instanceof Chrome || driver instanceof Edge)) { /* use alternative */ }

try { driver.inputFile(loc, path); } catch (DriverException e) { if (e.getMessage().equals("inputFile not supported by this driver")) { /* fallback: value() or switch driver */ } else throw e; }

When it happens

Trigger: Calling driver.inputFile("input[type=file]", "data/file.pdf") against a Driver implementation that did not override inputFile (custom driver, stub driver, or a driver type without upload support).

Common situations: Custom/third-party Driver implementations missing the override; drivers for environments where file transfer to the browser is impossible; outdated driver adapters lagging behind the current Karate API.

Related errors

• driver keyword requires a URL argument
• driver URL evaluated to null:
• element not found:
• missing array argument 'patterns':
• missing 'mock' or 'handler' in intercept config

AI-assisted analysis of karatelabs/karate@a22eb90246 (2026-09-12). Data as JSON: /api/errors/c96abe16da322bc3. Report an issue: GitHub.

Appendix: source

Thrown at karate-core/src/main/java/io/karatelabs/driver/Driver.java:939

    /**
     * Set the files of a file {@code <input>} element — the ONLY way to drive a file upload:
     * browsers forbid setting a file input's {@code value} from script (a page must never be
     * able to pick a file off the user's disk), so {@code value()} throws and {@code input()}
     * keystrokes go nowhere. Each backend uses its native mechanism instead (CDP
     * {@code DOM.setFileInputFiles}, W3C element send-keys).
     *
     * <p>File references resolve exactly like {@code read()} — relative to the calling feature,
     * with {@code classpath:}, a root-anchored leading {@code /}, and {@code file:} for a real
     * OS path (see {@link DriverApi#resolveFilePaths}). Multiple files need an input with the
     * {@code multiple} attribute. The element does not need to be visible — file inputs are
     * routinely hidden behind styled buttons.</p>
     *
     * <p>NOTE: the resolved path is handed to the browser process — with a remote browser
     * (grid, container) the file must exist on the machine the BROWSER runs on; use
     * {@code file:} to name such a path verbatim.</p>
     */
    default Element inputFile(String locator, String... files) {
        throw new DriverException("inputFile not supported by this driver");
    }

    /**
     * Set the value of an input element directly.
     */
    default Element value(String locator, String value) {
        script(Locators.inputJs(locator, value));
        return BaseElement.of(this, locator);
    }

    /**
     * Select an option from a dropdown by text or value.
     */
    default Element select(String locator, String text) {
        Object matched = script(Locators.optionSelector(locator, text));
        if (!Boolean.TRUE.equals(matched)) {
            throw new DriverException("select failed, no option matching: '" + text + "' for: " + locator);
        }

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