How to automatically reload a page after a given period of inactivity

Question

How can I automatically reload a webpage, if there have been no activity on the page for a given period of time?

Answer 1

This can be accomplished without javascript, with this metatag:

<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="5" >

where content ="5" are the seconds that the page will wait until refreshed.

But you said only if there was no activity, what kind for activity would that be?

Answer 2

If you want to refresh the page if there is no activity then you need to figure out how to define activity. Let's say we refresh the page every minute unless someone presses a key or moves the mouse. This uses jQuery for event binding:

<script>
     var time = new Date().getTime();
     $(document.body).bind("mousemove keypress", function(e) {
         time = new Date().getTime();
     });

     function refresh() {
         if(new Date().getTime() - time >= 60000) 
             window.location.reload(true);
         else 
             setTimeout(refresh, 10000);
     }

     setTimeout(refresh, 10000);
</script>

Answer 3

I have built a complete javascript solution as well that does not require jquery. Might be able to turn it into a plugin. I use it for fluid auto-refreshing, but it looks like it could help you here.

JSFiddle AutoRefresh

// Refresh Rate is how often you want to refresh the page 
// bassed off the user inactivity. 
var refresh_rate = 200; //<-- In seconds, change to your needs
var last_user_action = 0;
var has_focus = false;
var lost_focus_count = 0;
// If the user loses focus on the browser to many times 
// we want to refresh anyway even if they are typing. 
// This is so we don't get the browser locked into 
// a state where the refresh never happens.    
var focus_margin = 10; 

// Reset the Timer on users last action
function reset() {
    last_user_action = 0;
    console.log("Reset");
}

function windowHasFocus() {
    has_focus = true;
}

function windowLostFocus() {
    has_focus = false;
    lost_focus_count++;
    console.log(lost_focus_count + " <~ Lost Focus");
}

// Count Down that executes ever second
setInterval(function () {
    last_user_action++;
    refreshCheck();
}, 1000);

// The code that checks if the window needs to reload
function refreshCheck() {
    var focus = window.onfocus;
    if ((last_user_action >= refresh_rate && !has_focus && document.readyState == "complete") || lost_focus_count > focus_margin) {
        window.location.reload(); // If this is called no reset is needed
        reset(); // We want to reset just to make sure the location reload is not called.
    }

}
window.addEventListener("focus", windowHasFocus, false);
window.addEventListener("blur", windowLostFocus, false);
window.addEventListener("click", reset, false);
window.addEventListener("mousemove", reset, false);
window.addEventListener("keypress", reset, false);
window.addEventListener("scroll", reset, false);
document.addEventListener("touchMove", reset, false);
document.addEventListener("touchEnd", reset, false);

Answer 4

<script type="text/javascript">
  var timeout = setTimeout("location.reload(true);",600000);
  function resetTimeout() {
    clearTimeout(timeout);
    timeout = setTimeout("location.reload(true);",600000);
  }
</script>

Above will refresh the page every 10 minutes unless resetTimeout() is called. For example:

<a href="javascript:;" onclick="resetTimeout();">clicky</a>

Answer 5

Based on the accepted answer of arturnt. This is a slightly optimized version, but does essentially the same thing:

var time = new Date().getTime();
$(document.body).bind("mousemove keypress", function () {
    time = new Date().getTime();
});

setInterval(function() {
    if (new Date().getTime() - time >= 60000) {
        window.location.reload(true);
    }
}, 1000);

Only difference is that this version uses setInterval instead of setTimeout, which makes the code more compact.

Answer 6

var bd = document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0];
var time = new Date().getTime();

bd.onmousemove = goLoad;
function goLoad() {
    if(new Date().getTime() - time >= 1200000) {
        time = new Date().getTime();
        window.location.reload(true);
    }else{
        time = new Date().getTime();
    }
}

Each time you move the mouse it will check the last time you moved the mouse. If the time interval is greater than 20' it will reload the page, else it will renew the last-time-you-moved-the-mouse.

Answer 7

use JavaScript setInterval method:

setInterval(function(){ location.reload(); }, 3000);

Answer 8

Auto reload with target of your choice. In this case target is _self set to itself,but you could change the reload page by simply changing the window.open('self.location', '_self'); code to something like this examplewindow.top.location="window.open('http://www.YourPageAdress.com', '_self'";.

With a confirmation ALERT message:

<script language="JavaScript">
function set_interval() {
  //the interval 'timer' is set as soon as the page loads  
  var timeoutMins = 1000 * 1 * 15; // 15 seconds
  var timeout1Mins = 1000 * 1 * 13; // 13 seconds
  itimer=setInterval("auto_logout()",timeoutMins);
  atimer=setInterval("alert_idle()",timeout1Mins);

}

function reset_interval() {
  var timeoutMins = 1000 * 1 * 15; // 15 seconds 
  var timeout1Mins = 1000 * 1 * 13; // 13 seconds
  //resets the timer. The timer is reset on each of the below events:
  // 1. mousemove   2. mouseclick   3. key press 4. scrolling
  //first step: clear the existing timer
  clearInterval(itimer);
  clearInterval(atimer);
  //second step: implement the timer again
  itimer=setInterval("auto_logout()",timeoutMins);
  atimer=setInterval("alert_idle()",timeout1Mins);
}

function alert_idle() {
    var answer = confirm("Session About To Timeout\n\n       You will be automatically logged out.\n       Confirm to remain logged in.")
    if (answer){

        reset_interval();
    }
    else{
        auto_logout();
    }
}

function auto_logout() {
  //this function will redirect the user to the logout script
  window.open('self.location', '_self');
}
</script>

Without confirmation alert:

<script language="JavaScript">
function set_interval() {
  //the interval 'timer' is set as soon as the page loads  
  var timeoutMins = 1000 * 1 * 15; // 15 seconds
  var timeout1Mins = 1000 * 1 * 13; // 13 seconds
  itimer=setInterval("auto_logout()",timeoutMins);

}

function reset_interval() {
  var timeoutMins = 1000 * 1 * 15; // 15 seconds 
  var timeout1Mins = 1000 * 1 * 13; // 13 seconds
  //resets the timer. The timer is reset on each of the below events:
  // 1. mousemove   2. mouseclick   3. key press 4. scrolling
  //first step: clear the existing timer
  clearInterval(itimer);
  clearInterval(atimer);
  //second step: implement the timer again
  itimer=setInterval("auto_logout()",timeoutMins);
}


function auto_logout() {
  //this function will redirect the user to the logout script
  window.open('self.location', '_self');
}
</script>

Body code is the SAME for both solutions:

<body onLoad="set_interval(); document.form1.exp_dat.focus();" onKeyPress="reset_interval();" onmousemove="reset_interval();" onclick="reset_interval();" onscroll="reset_interval();">

Answer 9

I came up with a slightly different solution, because I found that setInterval isn't really accurate, see: setInterval timing slowly drifts away from staying accurate

// Based on https://stackoverflow.com/a/15279599

// Refresh Rate is how often you want to refresh the page
// based off the user inactivity (in seconds).
var refresh_after = 20;
var last_user_action = new Date();

// Reset the Timer on users last action
function reset() {
    last_user_action = new Date();
}

// Countdown that executes every second.
setInterval(function () {
    refreshCheck();
}, 1000);

// The code that checks if the window needs to reload
function refreshCheck() {
    var expire_time = new Date(last_user_action);
    expire_time.setSeconds(expire_time.getSeconds() + refresh_after);
    now = new Date();
    if (now.getTime() >= expire_time.getTime() && document.readyState == "complete") {
        window.location.href = window.location.href; // We do this to discard the POST data.
    }
}

window.addEventListener("click", reset, false);
window.addEventListener("mousemove", reset, false);
window.addEventListener("keypress", reset, false);
window.addEventListener("scroll", reset, false);
document.addEventListener("touchMove", reset, false);
document.addEventListener("touchEnd", reset, false);

Answer 10

Yes dear,then you have to use Ajax technology. to changes contents of particular html tag:

 <html>
    <head>
        <script src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.10.2/jquery.min.js"></script>
        <title>Ajax Page</title>
        <script>
        setInterval(function () { autoloadpage(); }, 30000); // it will call the function autoload() after each 30 seconds. 
        function autoloadpage() {
            $.ajax({
                url: "URL of the destination page",
                type: "POST",
                success: function(data) {
                    $("div#wrapper").html(data); // here the wrapper is main div
                }
            });
        }
        </script>
    </head>
    <body>
    <div id="wrapper">
    contents will be changed automatically. 
    </div>
 </body>
 </html>

Answer 11

I would consider activity to be whether or not the user is focused on the window. For example, when you click from one window to another (e.g. Google Chrome to iTunes, or Tab 1 to Tab 2 within an internet browser), the webpage can send a callback saying "Im out of focus!" or "Im in focus!". One could use jQuery to harness this possible lack of activity to do whatever they wanted. If I were in your position, I would use the following code to check for focus every 5 seconds, etc and reload if no focus.

var window_focus;
$(window).focus(function() {
    window_focus = true;
}).blur(function() {
    window_focus = false;
});
function checkReload(){
    if(!window_focus){
        location.reload();  // if not focused, reload
    }
}
setInterval(checkReload, 5000);  // check if not focused, every 5 seconds

Answer 12

With on page confirmation text instead of alert

Since this is another method to auto load if inactive I give it a second answer. This one is more simple and easier to understand.

With reload confirmation on the page

<script language="javaScript" type="text/javascript">
<!--
var autoCloseTimer;
var timeoutObject;
var timePeriod = 5100; // 5,1 seconds
var warnPeriod = 5000; // 5 seconds
// Warning period should always be a bit shorter then time period

function promptForClose() {
autoCloseDiv.style.display = 'block';
autoCloseTimer = setTimeout("definitelyClose()", warnPeriod);
}


function autoClose() {
autoCloseDiv.style.display = 'block'; //shows message on page
autoCloseTimer = setTimeout("definitelyClose()", timePeriod); //starts countdown to closure
}

function cancelClose() {
clearTimeout(autoCloseTimer); //stops auto-close timer
autoCloseDiv.style.display = 'none'; //hides message
}

function resetTimeout() {
clearTimeout(timeoutObject); //stops timer
timeoutObject = setTimeout("promptForClose()", timePeriod); //restarts timer from 0
}


function definitelyClose() {

// If you use want targeted reload: parent.Iframe0.location.href = "https://URLHERE.com/"
// or  this: window.open('http://www.YourPageAdress.com', '_self');

// of for the same page reload use: window.top.location=self.location;
// or window.open(self.location;, '_self');

window.top.location=self.location;
}
-->
</script>

Confirmation box when using with on page confirmation

<div class="leftcolNon">
<div id='autoCloseDiv' style="display:none">
<center>
<b>Inactivity warning!</b><br />
This page will Reloads automatically unless you hit 'Cancel.'</p>
<input type='button' value='Load' onclick='definitelyClose();' />
<input type='button' value='Cancel' onclick='cancelClose();' />
</center>
</div>
</div>

Body codes for both are the SAME

<body onmousedown="resetTimeout();" onmouseup="resetTimeout();" onmousemove="resetTimeout();" onkeydown="resetTimeout();" onload="timeoutObject=setTimeout('promptForClose()',timePeriod);">

NOTE: If you do not want to have the on page confirmation, use Without confirmation

<script language="javaScript" type="text/javascript">
<!--
var autoCloseTimer;
var timeoutObject;
var timePeriod = 5000; // 5 seconds

function resetTimeout() {
clearTimeout(timeoutObject); //stops timer
timeoutObject = setTimeout("definitelyClose()", timePeriod); //restarts timer from 0
}

function definitelyClose() {

// If you use want targeted reload: parent.Iframe0.location.href = "https://URLHERE.com/"
// or  this: window.open('http://www.YourPageAdress.com', '_self');

// of for the same page reload use: window.top.location=self.location;
// or window.open(self.location;, '_self');

window.top.location=self.location;
}
-->
</script>

Answer 13

And finally the most simple solution:

With alert confirmation:

<script type="text/javascript">
    // Set timeout variables.
    var timoutWarning = 3000; // Display warning in 1Mins.
    var timoutNow = 4000; // Timeout in 2 mins.

    var warningTimer;
    var timeoutTimer;

    // Start timers.
    function StartTimers() {
        warningTimer = setTimeout("IdleWarning()", timoutWarning);
        timeoutTimer = setTimeout("IdleTimeout()", timoutNow);
    }

    // Reset timers.
    function ResetTimers() {
        clearTimeout(warningTimer);
        clearTimeout(timeoutTimer);
        StartTimers();
        $("#timeout").dialog('close');
    }

    // Show idle timeout warning dialog.
    function IdleWarning() {
        var answer = confirm("Session About To Timeout\n\n       You will be automatically logged out.\n       Confirm to remain logged in.")
            if (answer){

                ResetTimers();
            }
            else{
                IdleTimeout();
            }
    }       

    // Logout the user and auto reload or use this window.open('http://www.YourPageAdress.com', '_self'); to auto load a page.
    function IdleTimeout() {
        window.open(self.location,'_top');
    }
</script>

Without alert confirmation:

<script type="text/javascript">
    // Set timeout variables.
    var timoutWarning = 3000; // Display warning in 1Mins.
    var timoutNow = 4000; // Timeout in 2 mins.

    var warningTimer;
    var timeoutTimer;

    // Start timers.
    function StartTimers() {
        warningTimer = setTimeout(timoutWarning);
        timeoutTimer = setTimeout("IdleTimeout()", timoutNow);
    }

    // Reset timers.
    function ResetTimers() {
        clearTimeout(warningTimer);
        clearTimeout(timeoutTimer);
        StartTimers();
        $("#timeout").dialog('close');
    }

    // Logout the user and auto reload or use this window.open('http://www.YourPageAdress.com', '_self'); to auto load a page.
    function IdleTimeout() {
        window.open(self.location,'_top');
    }
</script>

Body code is the SAME for both solutions

<body onload="StartTimers();" onmousemove="ResetTimers();" onKeyPress="ResetTimers();">

Answer 14

Using LocalStorage to keep track of the last time of activity, we can write the reload function as follows

function reloadPage(expiryDurationMins) {
    const lastInteraction = window.localStorage.getItem('lastinteraction')
    if (!lastInteraction) return // no interaction recorded since page load
    const inactiveDurationMins = (Date.now() - Number(lastInteraction)) / 60000
    const pageExpired = inactiveDurationMins >= expiryDurationMins
    if (pageExpired) window.location.reload()
}

Then we create an arrow function which saves the last time of interaction in milliseconds(String)

const saveLastInteraction = () => window.localStorage.setItem('last', Date.now().toString())

We will need to listen to the beforeunload event in the browser to clear our lastinteraction record so we don't get stuck in an infinite reload loop.

window.addEventListener('beforeunload', () => window.localStorage.removeItem('lastinteraction'))

The user activity events we will need to monitor would be mousemove and keypress. We store the last interaction time when the user moves the mouse or presses a key on the keyboard

window.addEventListener('mousemove', saveLastInteraction)
window.addEventListener('keypress', saveLastInteraction)

To set up our final listener, we will use the load event. On page load, we use the setInterval function to check if the page has expired after a certain period.

const expiryDurationMins = 1

window.addEventListener('load', setInterval.bind(null, reloadPage.bind(null, expiryDurationMins), 1000))

Answer 15

I am doing it like this:

let lastActionTaken = new Date().getTime();
function checkLastAction() {
  let now = new Date().getTime();
  if (now - lastActionTaken > 1000 * 60 * 60) window.location.reload();
  else lastActionTaken = now;
}
window.addEventListener("mousemove", checkLastAction);
window.addEventListener("touchstart", checkLastAction);
window.addEventListener("keydown", checkLastAction);

This will reload the page as soon as the user moves their mouse, hits a key or touches a touchscreen if it has been inactive for 1 hour. Also, this takes care of the focus as well, so if a user is moving their mouse in a different program and then come back to this window it will reload, which is good because the point is to not have old data being shown.

Answer 16

Many of these other answers either don't answer the main part of the question "with no activity", or they are incredibly, unnecessarily complex. I have taken the accepted answer (here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/4644315/9008140 ) and modified it to take advantage of the fact you can assign timers to variables. This allows us to get rid of the second timer, as well as the timestamp.

/**
* create a timer that refreshes the page after the number of 
  minutes has passed without user interaction.
* Moving the mouse or pressing a key on the current page will start 
  the timer over.
* @param {any} minutes
*/
var refreshTimer;
function setPageRefreshTimer(minutes) {
    var refreshInterval = minutes * 60 * 1000; //interval is in milliseconds.  We refresh every x minutes.
$(document.body).bind("mousemove keypress", function (e) {
    if (refreshTimer != null && refreshTimer != undefined) {
        window.clearTimeout(refreshTimer);
    }
    refreshTimer = window.setTimeout(function () { window.location.reload(true); }, refreshInterval);
});
refreshTimer = window.setTimeout(function () { window.location.reload(true); }, refreshInterval);

}

This sample code will refresh based on a passed in parameter in minutes, with an accuracy as great as a javascript timer can be. In testing, always less than a second. I created this as a function but you can pull it into your page if you wish.

Answer 17

This task is very easy use following code in html header section

<head> <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="30" /> </head>

It will refresh your page after 30 seconds.