LinkedIn displaying the “Something unexpected happened” error message can be frustrating for users. This vague error makes it difficult to understand exactly what went wrong. However, there are several potential reasons why you might encounter this LinkedIn error.
Popular Causes of the “Something Unexpected Happened” Error
Here are some of the most common triggers for the “something unexpected happened” error on LinkedIn:
- Temporary site glitch or outage
- Internet connectivity issues
- Using an unsupported browser
- Corrupt cookies or cached data
- Third-party browser extensions causing conflicts
- Your account is restricted or banned
- Buggy mobile app update
- Heavy traffic to LinkedIn servers
Many instances of this LinkedIn error are temporary or intermittent. However, if you consistently see this message, it likely points to a more specific underlying problem.
Temporary LinkedIn Outage
Like any major website, LinkedIn experiences occasional downtime and glitches. Heavy traffic loads, software issues, or server problems can cause temporary outages. If the site is undergoing maintenance or is down for everyone globally, you may encounter the “something unexpected happened” message.
Try again in a few minutes. You can check the LinkedIn status page to see if they have reported any known problems. Usually these types of short-term issues resolve themselves as LinkedIn engineers work quickly to restore service.
Internet Connectivity Problems
Your own local internet connection instability can also trigger this error. Issues like:
- Weak WiFi signal
- Network congestion or latency
- ISP outage
- Bandwidth throttling
- Using a VPN or proxy service
If you have a poor internet connection, it can cause loading failures on LinkedIn. Try switching to a wired ethernet connection or moving closer to your WiFi router. Run internet speed tests to check for any connection problems. Reset your modem/router and clear your browser cache and cookies.
Unsupported Browser
LinkedIn only fully supports the latest versions of browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Using an outdated or obscure web browser can sometimes create issues with loading the site properly.
Make sure you update your browser to the newest version. Try switching to a mainstream supported browser like Chrome or Firefox if you are using a lesser known option.
Corrupt Cookies or Cache
Clearing your browser cookies and cache can solve many common internet issues. Corrupted, outdated or overloaded browser data can cause conflicts and loading problems on sites.
Open your browser settings and clear cookies and site cache data. Also clear history and temporary files. This gives your browser a fresh start, which often resolves site loading errors.
Conflicts from Browser Extensions
Browser add-ons and extensions can sometimes interfere with page loading. Extensions that block ads or trackers, customize UI, or enhance security can potentially cause issues on some sites.
Try disabling all extensions one by one to see if any are triggering the “unexpected error” message. If the problem goes away, that points to extension incompatibility. You may need to uninstall problem extensions completely.
Account Restriction or Ban
In some cases, LinkedIn intentionally restricts access to accounts for policy violations. For example:
- Spamming other users
- Scraping data
- Automated bot activity
- Abusive behavior
LinkedIn may limit your actions or suspend your account if you violate their terms of service. You will need to contact LinkedIn support and request they remove the restrictions after fixing the problem.
Buggy App Update
The LinkedIn mobile app can also show “something unexpected happened” if a recent update introduced new bugs. Mobile apps tend to be a bit less stable compared to websites.
Check if others are reporting errors for the LinkedIn app in your device’s app store reviews. You may need to wait for LinkedIn to patch the issue in a future update.
Heavy Traffic on LinkedIn
Certain high-traffic times can overloaded LinkedIn servers, causing intermittent failures. This is most common on weekdays during normal business hours when usage peaks.
If refreshing the page doesn’t help, wait a few hours until traffic dies down. The issue should resolve once load on their servers decreases.
How to Fix “Something Unexpected Happened” Error
Here are some troubleshooting steps to resolve the “something unexpected happened” message on LinkedIn:
- Refresh the page – this clears errors
- Clear browser cookies and cache
- Try a different web browser
- Check for internet connection problems
- Disable browser extensions temporarily
- Update to the latest version of your browser
- Use LinkedIn in private or incognito mode
- Try accessing LinkedIn from a different device
- Uninstall and reinstall the LinkedIn mobile app
- Contact LinkedIn support if the issue persists
Preventing LinkedIn Errors
Here are some tips to avoid LinkedIn errors going forward:
- Maintain a stable, fast internet connection
- Keep your browser and LinkedIn app updated
- Don’t use unsupported software or extensions
- Clear browser cookies/cache periodically
- Avoid visiting LinkedIn during peak traffic times
- Don’t engage in behavior that violates LinkedIn’s policies
Conclusion
The “something unexpected happened” message on LinkedIn is relatively generic with many potential triggers. However, the problem is usually temporary or caused by an issue on your local device. Trying the troubleshooting steps outlined above should resolve common instances of this error. Contact LinkedIn directly if you need additional assistance getting the platform working again.