Can't highlight text in ServiceNow on Edge and Chrome browsers? Try this workaround

If you’re using Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome and can’t highlight text in ServiceNow, you’re not alone. Users have been flooding forums with complaints about this issue. It seems like text can still be selected and copied, but the visible highlighting — the part that shows you what’s selected — is missing. Frustrating, right?

The problem was first spotted with Edge version 131.0.2903.14 and later confirmed on Google Chrome 131. Reports suggest this is likely a Chromium bug affecting browsers that rely on the Chromium engine, like Edge and Chrome. Strangely, this issue only seems to only impact a few sites like ServiceNow. Highlighting works fine on other websites, and alternative browsers like Firefox don’t appear to have the problem.

What’s going on?

The root cause seems to be tied to an update in Chromium, the underlying engine for Edge and Chrome. This bug isn’t entirely new — users reported a similar issue earlier this year, which was resolved in subsequent updates. Unfortunately, it seems to have resurfaced with newer versions of the browsers, leaving many ServiceNow users scrambling for solutions.

The workaround

A developer on a ServiceNow forum shared a potential fix that involves adding a custom UI script to your instance. Here’s how it works:

1. Download the XML file containing the script from your ServiceNow account.
2. Import the script into your instance.
3. Apply the changes, and the issue should be resolved for your setup.

If you don’t have admin privileges or find this too technical, switching browsers is your best bet. Firefox has been confirmed to work without issues, and it might save you a headache while waiting for an official fix.

User complaints

User complaints have been piling up on platforms like Reddit and Microsoft’s forums. One frustrated Edge user joked about “invisible highlighting” being a new feature. Others have raised cases with Microsoft and ServiceNow support, hoping for a permanent fix.

A few users have also suggested clearing your browser cache or resetting settings, but these steps haven’t worked for everyone. For now, switching browsers or using the custom script seems to be the only reliable solution.

Is a fix coming?

Such bugs are usually fixed promptly, so it’s likely an update will roll out soon. Keep an eye on your browser updates, and make sure to install the latest version when available. Meanwhile, ServiceNow users are hoping that Microsoft and Google can collaborate on a quicker resolution.

So, if you’re struggling to highlight text in ServiceNow on Edge or Chrome, give Firefox a try or check with your admin about implementing the workaround. And keep those browsers updated — relief might just be around the corner.