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When I click "my location" on openstreet map, it takes me somewhere that's about 300 miles away from me. It's causing me alllll kind of confusion on websites, maps etc. How can I fix this? Can I fix this myself? Thx.

asked 24 Sep '14, 22:36

beanie56's gravatar image

beanie56
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edited 25 Sep '14, 09:18

SomeoneElse's gravatar image

SomeoneElse ♦
36.9k71370866


Does this also happen with other mapping websites?

I suspect it does: The website determines your location in one of two ways: 1. By asking your computer. Your computer, in turn, usually goes to a geolocating service which returns a guess about your location based on your IP address and possibly what WiFi signals your computer reports seeing. 2. By looking at your IP address and guessing where it might be which could be a long way off.

So if "my location" on OSM is about 300 miles off, then probably your computer is reporting its position 300 miles off for some reason. Or your computer is not reporting its position at all.

In my case, I've gone to the privacy settings on my computer and disallowed location services from all applications. So all maps on all web site think I am someplace other than where I am, typically the headquarters city for my ISP.

permanent link

answered 24 Sep '14, 23:39

n76's gravatar image

n76
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accept rate: 17%

edited 24 Sep '14, 23:42

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question asked: 24 Sep '14, 22:36

question was seen: 4,022 times

last updated: 25 Sep '14, 09:18

NOTICE: help.openstreetmap.org is no longer in use from 1st March 2024. Please use the OpenStreetMap Community Forum