You can try these steps in case of issues with web pages:

Reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

• Hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
• Press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
• Press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the cache and cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

• Firefox/Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

• Firefox/Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

• Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

I followed the steps outlined, but this does not seem to solve the problem.

It is very puzzling because I use Firefox all the time on other computers (mostly Linux), and this issue simply does not arise.

This was a clean install of FF on Windows 7, alongside IE and Sogou (a Chinese browser). The only add-on was the trouble-shooting add-on I used for reporting this problem. There were hardly any cookies, because Google Translate was the first site I visited. Similarly, there was hardly anything in the cache.

So, I'm not sure what to try next, except maybe uninstall/reinstall.

Can you attach a screenshot?

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenshot
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-create-screenshot-my-problem

Use a compressed image type like PNG or JPG to save the screenshot.

Are the other icon at the bottom of the text area missing as well?

These button are added via JavaScript, but are present in one container image that has all shapes.

Do you see this image listed in Tools > Page Info > Media ?

• http://ssl.gstatic.com/translate/buttons10.png

If only the icons are missing then make sure that you allow pages to choose their own fonts.

• Tools > Options > Content : Fonts & Colors > Advanced: [X] "Allow pages to choose their own fonts, instead of my selections above"

When I visit Google Translate, the Shockwave Flash plugin is used for sounds. I don't see it on your plugin list. Could it be disabled (set to "Never Activate")? You can check that on the Add-ons page. Either:

• Ctrl+Shift+a
• orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Plugins. Any disabled plugins cluster at the bottom of the list.

If your version of Flash is ancient, you might need to update it before it can be enabled. I'm sure you know the drill: uncheck any unwanted extras before downloading: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

You can check for the Flash plugin in its default location here:

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash

You want to confirm that you have this file in the folder:

NPSWF32_11_9_900_170.dll

If it's there and Firefox has no knowledge of it, check out steps #2-#3 in this post: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/978802#answer-508877

Hi Jscher2000

You put me on the right track. The version of Flash on the computer was old. I had several false starts downloading/installing 11.9.900 but I eventually got it to work.

Google Translate now displays correctly in Firefox, with functioning audio buttons.