Browser agent keeps emitting empty actions until max steps

Sometimes the agent outputs an empty action every step until the step limit, even though it read the right data.

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

~15 min

Steps

Fixed in

—

Last checked

2026-10-15

Unverified: we could not confirm from the sources that a fix shipped. Source: issue closed as completed, no linked fix. Last checked 2026-10-15.

Symptom

Sometimes the agent outputs an empty action every step until the step limit, even though it read the right data.

Evidence what you'll see

Intermittent: the same code works on some runs
A custom action or output_model is registered

Cause

The action schema doesn't match what is asked for: strict parameter types (such as Dict) or a forgotten output_model, so the model's call can't be parsed and comes back empty.

Fix steps

0 of 3 done

Step 1Check every custom action's parameter types. Reporters got past it by loosening a Dict parameter to Any.
Step 2Remove or update an output_model set on the Controller that no longer matches the task.
Step 3Log the first step where the output turned empty and inspect its raw output.

Your check marks stay in this browser only.

Verify the fix worked

The same task completes over several runs with no empty-action steps.

Did this fix it?

Sources and credit

Summarized in our own words from these public reports. Credit goes to their authors.

browser-use issue #1587 ↗

Provided as is, without warranty. Test in a non-production environment and back up first. Security-related steps: verify against the official docs. Terms · Request removal or attribution change