Error message when searching the catalog

Lene Kottal

I get this error message when I search the catalog: "We are unable to display search results due to technical difficulties. Please try searching again in a few minutes."

It happens all the time, both yesterday and today, and it makes it impossible to search the catalog. What can I do to fix it?

Lene

Paul W

I am often sceptical of the common advice to similar problems, that you should clear your cache and cookies to see if that does the trick. In this case, and where there are no similar reports from other users, I believe it will be worth a try.

Also, there are times when there is a browser issue. I have three different browsers installed and have found what does not work using one can be resolved by switching to another - e.g. problem with Chrome, switch to Firefox or Edge.

I find these problems (even if at the "FamilySearch end") usually disappear after a day or so, even if left alone.

Lene Kottal

Hi Paul,

I use Chrome. After I posted my question, I tried in Edge, and there is no issue there, and the issue persisted in Chrome.

I have now deleted all FamilySearch cookies, which fixed the problem, but I wish FamilySearch would just fix it permanently, because deleting cookies is just a temporary fix.

Thanks,

Lene

Lori Grua

Is this a user problem or a FS problem? Is there something that can be done on both ends?

I have no clue how to delete my cookies.... It's very frustrating to attempt to use the Catalog which has been my friend in the past but is currently not my fav. After multiple attempts and refreshing the screen, it opens to the selected Place, but then the categories don't open and the error screen comes up.

Lori Grua

I asked Google how to delete cookies and the FS Catalog is my friend again! Thank you so much.

I cleared my cookies by clicking the snowmen dots at the top R of chrome | choosing More tools | Clear browsing data and checked clear cookies and cache. (I'm not sure what I lost, but the Catalog is working).

Sanra

Hi Lori,

The following article link may be useful for understanding what you deleted. Click below.

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-delete-all-of-the-cookies-and-temporary-files-stored-by-my-internet-browse