# JSON parse error but URL working in browser

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [2 May 2024 20:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661 "2024-05-02T20:18:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Tomtom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@Tomtom](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Tomtom)\
**Post date:** [2 May 2024 20:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661/1 "2024-05-02T20:18:31Z")

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Hi everyone,  
I'm new in Node Red and hope my message was not covered in previous posts. Thank you in advance for your help.

When I try to access this URL via the browser I got a JSON in the right format: [https://api.solcast.com.au/rooftop\_sites/514f-7ef7-a860-8acb/forecasts?format=json](https://api.solcast.com.au/rooftop_sites/514f-7ef7-a860-8acb/forecasts?format=json)

When I copy it in an HTTP request node, I got the following error message:

> 02/05/2024 22:20:03[noeud: API]  
> msg : string[16]  
> "JSON parse error"

What am I doing wrong?  
Best, Tom

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [2 May 2024 20:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661/2 "2024-05-02T20:43:55Z")

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Welcome to the forum.

Change the http node to return a string and see what you are getting back.

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**Author:** ![hardillb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/hardillb/32/12373_2.png) [@hardillb](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/hardillb)\
**Post date:** [2 May 2024 21:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661/3 "2024-05-02T21:12:57Z")

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If I hit that URL with curl I get a 401 error

I assume you are including some credential when using Node-RED?

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**Author:** ![E1cid](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/e1cid/32/77971_2.png) [@E1cid](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/E1cid)\
**Post date:** [2 May 2024 21:15 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661/4 "2024-05-02T21:15:38Z")

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Moved this to general category, as not about node development.

I also get a 401 in a browser.

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**Author:** ![Tomtom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@Tomtom](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Tomtom)\
**Post date:** [2 May 2024 21:37 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661/5 "2024-05-02T21:37:42Z")

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Thanks @Colin ! You mean, change the output to UTF8 or change the node?

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**Author:** ![Tomtom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@Tomtom](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Tomtom)\
**Post date:** [2 May 2024 21:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661/6 "2024-05-02T21:38:53Z")

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No this is a public one, strange…

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**Author:** ![UnborN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/4491bb/32.png) [@UnborN](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/UnborN)\
**Post date:** [2 May 2024 22:05 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661/7 "2024-05-02T22:05:45Z")

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It may be public but according to the API's documentation they must have issued you an **API key** when you register in order to authenticate and make requests.

They have some Postman Examples for the API [here](https://www.postman.com/DCZoy2BonLugJQY/workspace/solcast-s-public-workspace/request/12706422-f60d61ac-d11e-412e-b47b-af8844cea252?tab=auth)

So in your **http-request** node set it to

![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/4/b/4bffce8a503e137ecae2be681744523688d2d785.png)

and in the Token field try to add your API key.

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**Author:** ![Tomtom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@Tomtom](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Tomtom)\
**Post date:** [3 May 2024 16:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661/8 "2024-05-03T16:06:01Z")

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Yes that was it, working fine now many thanks!

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [2 July 2024 16:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/json-parse-error-but-url-working-in-browser/87661/9 "2024-07-02T16:06:57Z")

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