User Experience

Error State

Plain English

When something goes wrong.

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.

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 glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term 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

LET'S WORK TOGETHER

Ready to improve your product?

UX, research and product leadership for teams tackling complex digital services. The work usually starts where things have become harder than they need to be: unclear journeys, inconsistent products, competing priorities, or teams trying to move forward without a clear direction. I help simplify the problem, shape the right next step, and turn complexity into something people can actually use.

View services Get in touch

Previous feedback

I had a fantastic experience working with Andy. One of his most impressive achievements during our time at NHS HEE was masterminding a deeply complex information architecture for a new platform that brought together a large number of legacy websites.

Will Parkhouse

Senior Content Designer

01/20