The error code opr3unknownservererror is associated with the U.S. Department of State’s Online Passport Renewal (OPR) system.
It typically appears when the website (travel.state.gov or pay.gov) fails to process your request due to a backend glitch, high traffic, or a validation issue with your photo.
How to Fix It
1. Wait and Retry (Most Effective)
This error is often a temporary “handshake” failure between the passport system and the payment processor (Pay.gov).
Wait 1–2 hours and try again.
Avoid weekends: The system frequently undergoes maintenance on Saturday nights and Sundays, leading to these errors.
2. Troubleshoot Your Photo
Users often report this error masking a photo rejection. Even if it doesn’t say “Bad Photo,” the server may be choking on the file.
Ensure your photo is a JPEG.
Remove any metadata (edit the photo slightly and resave it to strip hidden data).
Make sure the file size is not too large (aim for under 5MB).
3. Browser & Cache
Switch Browsers: If you are using Safari or Firefox, try Google Chrome or Edge.
Incognito Mode: Open a private/incognito window to ensure old cache data isn’t causing a conflict.
Disable Ad Blockers: Turn off any extensions that might block pop-ups or scripts required for the payment gateway.
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4. Start a New Application
If you are stuck in a loop where the error appears every time you click “Submit” or “Next,” your current application draft might be corrupted.
Log out.
Start a completely new renewal application from scratch.
Summary:
This is a government-side server error, not a problem with your computer. If the steps above don’t work, the site is likely down for maintenance; check back on a weekday morning.
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