Tufts Libraries OpenAthens Support Guide

Overview

Before reaching out for assistance, we encourage you to review the troubleshooting tips and resources provided here. Many common issues can be resolved quickly by following these steps, saving you time and ensuring uninterrupted access. If you still encounter problems after trying these suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact us for further help.

Bad Message 431: Request Header Fields Too Large

This error typically occurs due to issues with cookies or cache in your browser. Our authentication processes rely on cookies and cache, and accessing numerous resources over time can cause these to become corrupted or misconfigured.

Clearing all cookies and cahce often resolves this issue. However, you can clear specific cookies to preserve your browser settings while still addressing the problem. Use the instructions for your specific browser to clear your Tufts-related cookies.

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down and click Privacy and Security.
4. Select Third-party cookies.
5. Scroll down and click See all site data and permissions.
6. In the search bar at the top, type tufts.edu.
7. Click the trash icon next to tufts.edu to remove all cookies and data.
8. Close and re-open your browser to apply the changes.

Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. Click the hamburger menu in the top-right corner and select Settings (or Preferences on macOS).
3. Go to the Privacy & Security panel.
4. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Manage Data.
5. In the search bar, type tufts.edu.
6. Select tufts.edu from the results and click Remove Selected.
7. Click Save Changes and confirm.
8. Close and re-open your browser to apply the changes.

Safari (macOS)

1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari in the menu bar and select Preferences.
3. Go to the Privacy tab.
4. Click Manage Website Data.
5. In the search bar, type tufts.edu.
6. Select tufts.edu from the list and click Remove.
7. Confirm and close the preferences window.
8. Close and re-open your browser to apply the changes.

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Settings.
3. Navigate to Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data > See all cookies and site data.
4. Use the search bar to type tufts.edu.
5. Click the trash icon next to tufts.edu to delete cookies for that domain.
6. Close and re-open your browser to apply the changes.

Issues with Logging into OpenAthens

Depending on your credentials, the login process for OpenAthens may vary. Identify your login type and follow the appropriate instructions.

1. Tufts Username and Password

If you have a Tufts username and password, select the Tufts Username and Pasword option on the OpenAthens login page. Enter your Tufts credentials in the designated fields.

If you encounter issues, refer to the Troubleshooting login issues with your Tufts Username and Password section on our Logging into Library Resources page.

2. Tufts Libraries Login (email address and password)

For users logging in with an email address and password, choose the Tufts Libraries Login on the OpenAthens login page. Enter your email address and password in the designated fields.

If login difficulties arise, consult the Troubleshooting login issues with your Tufts Libraries Login or Library Access number (LAN) section on our Logging into Library Resources page.

3. Tufts Guest Login (on-campus guest logins)

Guest users on the Tufts campus should select the Library Guest Login option. Credentials should be posted near public computers. If you experience any problems, see someone at the Library's information desk for help.

Resource-Specific Issues

If you can log in successfully but experience problems accessing specific resources, report the issue using our general contact form. A library staff member will be in touch if you provide your email address.

Be sure to provide as much information as you can about the issue, including any error messasges.