Browser IndexedDB Errors — Quota Exceeded, Blocked & Corruption

Fix IndexedDB errors including QuotaExceededError, VersionError, blocked upgrades, database corruption, and private browsing limitations. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: IndexedDB is a client-side NoSQL database API for storing structured data in the browser. Storage quota varies: Chrome ~60% of free disk, Firefox 50% of free disk (per origin). Private/incognito browsing may limit or disable IndexedDB (Safari clears on tab close). Database version upgrades require all other connections to close first. Corrupted IndexedDB data requires clearing site data to resolve. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: QuotaExceededError: storage limit reached for the origin. VersionError: trying to open with a version lower than existing version. Blocked: another tab has an older version open and has not closed its connection. Database corruption from browser crash during write operation. Safari Private Browsing: IndexedDB works but data is ephemeral. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: For QuotaExceededError: implement data cleanup — delete old entries or request more storage via Storage API. For Blocked: implement onblocked handler and show user a message to close other tabs. For corruption: clear site data — DevTools > Application > Storage > Clear site data. For Safari Private: detect private browsing and show appropriate message or use fallback storage. Request persistent storage: navigator.storage.persist() prevents browser from evicting data. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Browser Errors collection on Error Codes Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.