How to Use the FireEvent QTP Method When a Click Does Not Work

There are instances where clicking on an object within your application doesn’t work the way you expect. Maybe the web element you’re trying to click on is hidden behind another object. Or, perhaps it’s just not visible on the page.
As you know, it’s always frustrating. But, in such cases, you can use the FireEvent QTP method to interact with the element.
So, don’t let a faulty click get in the way of your testing. Read on for more details!
INDEX
Why Won’t the FireEvent Work?
The FireEvent Description
QTP FireEvent Syntax
Valid FireEvent Events
How to Use the FireEvent Video Example
Know FireEvent Issue
Why Won’t the FireEvent Work?
While using QTP’s click method on a search WebElement earlier today, I had an issue with the WebTable’s populate event not being triggered as it should have. If you ever experience a similar problem with your application (not performing an expected action after a certain event), don’t give up – and try the FireEvent method.
FYI if you’re having issues with quick test professional or unified functional test and it’s a custom control, you might want to check out my post How to Build Your Own Custom Control Code.
The FireEvent Description
The FireEvent method is designed to trigger events in an application. Besides that, you can use it when a click does not work. It is also important to note that the FireEvent method will work differently depending on your browser.
QTP FireEvent Syntax
The Syntax for the FireEvent is:
yourObject.FireEvent EventName,[x-optional],[y-optional],[BUTTON-optional]
Valid FireEvent Events
The events available when using the FireEvents method are:
- onchange
- onclick
- ondblclick
- onblur
- onfocus
- onmousedown
- onmouseup
- onmouseover
- onmouseout
- onsubmit
- onreset
- onpropertychange
How to Use the FireEvent Video Example
Let’s take a look at the FireEvent in action in a real-world example:
The click method below was not working:
Set mainPath = browser("CB").Page("CB")
mainPath.WebElement("Search").Click
…but using the FireEvent did work:
mainPath.WebElement("Search").FireEvent "ondblclick"
Drop me a line and let me know if you find this tip helpful!
Know FireEvent Issue
If you’re trying to use the FireEvent’s dblclick option on a WebElement, but it’s not working against Chrome or Firefox, check out:
QTP – Fix for FireEvent Issue in Google Chrome and Firefox Browsers
Joe Colantonio is the founder of TestGuild, an industry-leading platform for automation testing and software testing tools. With over 25 years of hands-on experience, he has worked with top enterprise companies, helped develop early test automation tools and frameworks, and runs the largest online automation testing conference, Automation Guild.
Joe is also the author of Automation Awesomeness: 260 Actionable Affirmations To Improve Your QA & Automation Testing Skills and the host of the TestGuild podcast, which he has released weekly since 2014, making it the longest-running podcast dedicated to automation testing. Over the years, he has interviewed top thought leaders in DevOps, AI-driven test automation, and software quality, shaping the conversation in the industry.
With a reach of over 400,000 across his YouTube channel, LinkedIn, email list, and other social channels, Joe’s insights impact thousands of testers and engineers worldwide.
He has worked with some of the top companies in software testing and automation, including Tricentis, Keysight, Applitools, and BrowserStack, as sponsors and partners, helping them connect with the right audience in the automation testing space.
Follow him on LinkedIn or check out more at TestGuild.com.
Related Posts
Bottom Line: Kobiton is the first real device testing platform I’ve seen that makes AI-powered mobile testing feel like it […]
Look, most of the AI testing tools I cover on the TestGuild Automation Podcast share two things in common: they’re […]
At least one in five people has some kind of impairment, so it’s important to have them in mind when […]
Last Updated: April 18, 2026 By Joe Colantonio — 25+ years in testing, 500+ podcast interviews with tool creators Full […]



