Bridge: The local 'Bridge' server is either not installed or stopped.

Applies to: STARLIMS Bridge on Google Chrome

After reinstalling STARLIMS Bridge, the Bridge error message still appears and the Bridge fails to connect. This can be caused by a Chrome extension that is blocking the Bridge. Resetting Chrome's browser settings removes the blocking extension and restores the connection.

Symptom

The following error appears in the STARLIMS browser interface, even after uninstalling and reinstalling STARLIMS Bridge:

The local 'Bridge' server is either not installed or stopped.

The STARLIMS Bridge error banner displayed in the browser. A notification bar or modal in the STARLIMS interface shows the message "The local 'Bridge' server is either not installed or stopped." This error persists across browser refreshes and after reinstalling Bridge.

Root cause

A Chrome extension installed in the browser is intercepting or blocking the local connection that STARLIMS Bridge uses to communicate with the browser. Reinstalling Bridge does not remove the blocking extension, so the error persists.

Prerequisites

• STARLIMS Bridge is installed on the workstation
• Google Chrome is the browser in use

Note:  Resetting Chrome browser settings removes all extensions, clears startup pages, and resets the default search engine. It does not delete bookmarks, history, saved passwords, or downloaded files.

Steps

1. Open Chrome and go to Settings (three-dot menu at the top right > Settings).
2. Scroll down and click Reset settings, then select Restore settings to their original defaults.
3. Click Reset settings on the confirmation dialog.

Chrome Settings page — the "Reset settings" section near the bottom of the Advanced settings. The option "Restore settings to their original defaults" is visible. A confirmation dialog follows, warning that extensions will be disabled and settings reset to factory defaults, with a note that bookmarks, history and passwords are not affected.

4. Close all open Chrome windows.
5. Locate the STARLIMS Bridge icon in the Windows system tray (bottom-right of the taskbar, in the notification area). Right-click the icon and select Exit.

Windows taskbar system tray (bottom-right corner). The STARLIMS Bridge icon is visible among the notification-area icons. Right-clicking it shows a context menu with options including "Exit", which fully closes the Bridge process.

6. Restart STARLIMS Bridge by double-clicking the STARLIMS Bridge shortcut on the desktop (created during installation).

Desktop shortcut for STARLIMS Bridge — a small icon labelled "STARLIMS Bridge" on the Windows desktop. Double-clicking this shortcut launches the Bridge background service and places its icon back in the system tray.

7. Open Chrome and navigate to your STARLIMS site.

Expected result

STARLIMS Bridge connects successfully. The error message no longer appears and Bridge-dependent features function normally.

If the issue persists after resetting Chrome

• Confirm that Bridge is actually running: check the system tray for the Bridge icon. If it is absent, relaunch Bridge using the desktop shortcut.
• Try opening STARLIMS in a Chrome Incognito window — if Bridge works there, a specific extension installed in the regular profile is the cause. Go to Chrome Settings > Extensions to identify and remove it individually instead of resetting all settings.
• If the issue occurs in Edge rather than Chrome, go to Edge Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their default values and follow the same steps.