Overview
This page lists the most frequent system and user conflicts in Population Explorer, with their symptoms, causes, fixes, and confirmations.
Common Troubleshooting Scenarios
Polygon Too Complex to Process
Symptom: Error when trying to calculate results on very detailed or complex polygons.
Cause: Polygon exceeds system complexity limits (too many vertices or irregular boundaries).
Fix: Simplify the polygon before uploading; split into smaller shapes if the area is large; retry after editing.
Confirmation: Results generate successfully.
Login or Authentication Errors
Symptom: “Invalid credentials” or “Session expired.”
Cause: Typo in login details, expired session, or cached credentials.
Fix: Re-enter credentials; log out and back in; clear browser cache/cookies if persistent.
Confirmation: Successful login.
Data Export Fails (CSV, Excel, KML/KMZ)
Symptom: Export button greyed out or file download fails.
Cause: Shape not selected, empty folder, or browser pop-up blocked.
Fix: Confirm at least one shape/folder is selected; allow pop-ups; retry export.
Confirmation: File downloads correctly.
No Results Returned for a Shape
Symptom: Blank result panel.
Cause: Shape too small, outside coverage, or misplaced.
Fix: Check dataset coverage; verify polygon placement; redraw or expand area.
Confirmation: Totals and breakdowns display.
Results Don’t Match Expectations
Symptom: Totals appear too high or too low.
Cause: Dataset resolution differences (LandScan vs WorldPop), boundary mismatch, or ASB blending.
Fix: Compare across datasets; review metadata; consult Why Spatial Resolution Matters.
Confirmation: Differences explained.
System Error (Red Band)
Symptom: Red error banner across bottom (“System Error”), often with 429 or timeout codes.
Cause: Too many shapes in folder; too many imports; a shape too large to render before timeout.
Fix: Delete excess shapes; import fewer; use simplified shapes.
Confirmation: Error clears and results generate.
System Hanging
Symptom: App freezes or stops responding.
Cause: Same as System Error — backlog, oversized imports, or network latency.
Fix: Log out/in to clear backlog; delete unnecessary shapes; use faster network.
Confirmation: Session resumes normally.
Related Resources
Need More Help?
If you’re still experiencing issues, please contact us for support.
