How to Assert that a WebElement is Not Present in Selenium WebDriver Using Java?

How can you check that a WebElement is not present in Selenium WebDriver with Java?

WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
driver.get("http://example.com");
try {
    WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.id("nonExistingElementId"));
    // If we reach this line, the element is present, which is not expected.
    Assert.fail("Element should not be present but was found.");
} catch (NoSuchElementException e) {
    // Expected exception, element is not found.
} finally {
    driver.quit();
}

In Selenium WebDriver, it is often necessary to verify that certain elements do not exist on a page. This is crucial for ensuring that tests accurately reflect the UI state, especially when validating conditional UI components. Below, we will detail how to assert that a WebElement is not present using Java with Selenium WebDriver, including practical code snippets and essential tips.

try {
    WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.id("nonExistingElementId"));
    Assert.fail("Element found unexpectedly: " + element.getText());
} catch (NoSuchElementException e) {
    System.out.println("Element is not present as expected.");
}

Causes

• Web elements are dynamically loaded and can be absent based on previous user actions.
• The test might attempt to interact with elements that depend on certain application states.

Solutions

• Use a try-catch block to handle NoSuchElementException when searching for the WebElement.
• Utilize Boolean checks with findElements method to ascertain presence without relying on exceptions.

Mistake: Failing to properly catch NoSuchElementException can cause the test to break.

Solution: Make sure to use a try-catch block around the findElement() method to manage exceptions.

Mistake: Assuming findElement will always return valid elements without exception handling.

Solution: Always anticipate the potential absence of the element and handle it gracefully.