User Experience

Error State

Definition

An error state is a UI condition that occurs when something goes wrong, preventing a task from being completed.

In practice

Used to inform users of issues, explain what happened, and guide them on how to fix it.

The reality

Error states are often vague, unhelpful, or blame the user instead of clearly resolving the issue.

Plain English

When something goes wrong.

FAQ

Common questions

A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.

What is an error state?

It is when a shows that something has gone wrong.

Why are error states important?

They help users understand and recover from issues.

What makes a good error state?

Clear explanation and guidance on how to fix the problem.

What is a bad error message?

One that is vague, technical, or unhelpful.

Related Services

User Experience User Interface Design Accessibility Information Architecture

Related Guides

Interaction Audit

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