Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is is causing the problem.

• switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Appearance
• do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Safe Mode start window

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems

Couldn't find 'Appearance" ???

Use the Themes tab instead.

Themes is set to default...

oscivwar said

Themes is set to default...

Themes won't put that shield icon on your toolbar .....  :)

Don't understand what was looking for then...

There are no add-ons...

Or EXTENSIONS...

'Add-ons' is the collective name for Themes, Extensions and Plugins.

As you don't have any extensions installed, it would be silly for me to ask you if maybe you had an extension installed like 'Virtual Shield' or 'Hotspot Shield' ......

I'm still wondering why you say in your original post that the shield icon has disappeared .....

Do you remember when you last saw it  ?

And why do you even want to see it if you're happy with your content blocking settings right now  ?

If there's no blockable content, you shouldn't see that shield .....

Well, it shows up on my other laptop but not this one... Makes me wonder why...

Never installed any 'shield' of any kind... :)

oscivwar said

It shows on my other computer and they are synced.

I totally overlooked this - sorry  :(

Now I'm even more puzzled ......

I hope that cor-el (or somebody else) will come up with a solution, cause I really don't have a clue (again : sorry ..... )

No problem, thanks for trying.  :)

Not giving up just yet ......

Stab in the dark, but would you check this please :

Type in the address bar about:config and press Enter (promise to be careful, if asked)

Type in the search bar :

services.sync.prefs.sync.privacy.trackingprotection

and look for the preferences :

services.sync.prefs.sync.privacy.trackingprotection.pbmode.enabled

and :

services.sync.prefs.sync.privacy.trackingprotection.enabled

The values of both preferences should be set to true

If you had to change anything, then close and restart Firefox afterwards.

Like I said : just a stab in the dark ......

You can check for problems with preferences.

• delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename/remove the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in current Firefox releases
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/preferences_not_saved
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/resetting_preferences

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

• Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
  Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

You can create a new profile to test if your current profile is causing the problem.

See "Creating a profile":

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Profile_issues

If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

You can check the about:policies#active page to see if there are policies active.

• https://github.com/mozilla/policy-templates/blob/master/README.md#user-content-enabletrackingprotection

There is nothing on this page... about:policies#active

McCoy said

Not giving up just yet ...... Stab in the dark, but would you check this please : Type in the address bar about:config and press Enter (promise to be careful, if asked) Type in the search bar : services.sync.prefs.sync.privacy.trackingprotection and look for the preferences : services.sync.prefs.sync.privacy.trackingprotection.pbmode.enabled and : services.sync.prefs.sync.privacy.trackingprotection.enabled The values of both preferences should be set to true If you had to change anything, then close and restart Firefox afterwards. Like I said : just a stab in the dark ......

Both are set to true...

I am now officially and completely LOST... :)

oscivwar said

I am now officially and completely LOST... :)

Aww, don't be .....

How about cor-el's penultimate post  ?