Firefox Community Forum

Firefox’s built-in translation feature actively gets in the user’s way.

When translation is actually needed, it often does not offer the translation function at all.

Google sometimes links to Reddit pages that have been automatically translated into Korean by AI.

https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/1om0x4d/reddit_on_firefox_is_just_straight_up_broken/?tl=ko

That specific page appears in Korean, but when you go back to the Reddit homepage, it appears in English.

However, Firefox’s built-in translator still recognizes the site as a Korean website.

Even though all the page content is in English, the translator incorrectly offers the option “Korean → English” instead of the correct direction.

There needs to be a shortcut or option that always translates “English → Korean” when the user wants it.

Firefox should not decide when to translate or which language to translate. That choice should belong to the user.

Additionally, a dedicated keyboard shortcut for translation is needed.

I used the built-in translator for a while, but the inconvenience became so significant that I gave up and reinstalled a translation add-on.

Is this the right place to post this suggestion?

NOTE: I have marked this as "Solved" because I figured out the problem described below, and I fixed it. See my following message here for a description of my solution.

Original message starts here ...

I'm using Firefox 144.0 under Debian Linux. I've used Firefox on this machine for years with no problem. Firefox can easily connect to literally thousands of web servers on the internet, both via HTTP and HTTPS.

But now, I'm having an issue:

I started running a web server on the same machine that Firefox is running on. This server only listens for non-HTTPS connections on port 80. I am not using any proxy server with Firefox.

I can easily and directly connect to my local web server's pages from my local machine from Chrome, w3m, curl, and direct telnet connections to port 80 ... all of which are addressing the publicly accessible domain name for my local web server. However, However, Firefox refuses to connect to any URL's on my local machine, and it gives me the following explanation:

Unable to connect

Firefox can’t establish a connection to the server at [ my server's domain name ].

   The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few moments.
   If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer’s network connection.
   If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the web.

In Firefox, I have all auto-forcing of HTTPS disabled by means of Don’t enable HTTPS-Only Mode turned on.

I get the same error in Firefox whether I connect via a URL like "http://MYFULLDOMAINNAME" or a URL like "http://AAA.BBB.CCC.DDD", where "AAA.BBB.CCC.DDD" is my machine's publicly accessible static IP address and "MYFULLDOMAINNAME" is the long-standing, publicly accessible domain name for my machine ... both with and without a suffix of ":80" on the supplied URL.

And again, all other browsers on my machine have no problem whatsoever connecting to my own local web server on this same local machine of mine using those same URL's.

And all browsers (Firefox and otherwise) that are running on other machines all over the internet have no problem connecting to that same web server via the same URL's that I described above

Also, I have no firewall rules on my machine which would block access to my own machine's port 80.

What could be causing this error in Firefox, and what might I be able to do to fix it?

Thank you very much in advance.

UPDATE: Just a bit more information. Looking at the web logs, I see that Firefox's request never even reaches my local web server. In other words, Firefox itself is not even trying to make a TCPIP port 80 connection to my local web server in the first place

Anthony Enzor-DeMeo wants to push way more AI onto Firefox. I originally became a Firefox user for the customizability, privacy, and security it offered in comparison to other browsers. How does Mozilla Firefox intend to maintain these features with so much AI slop? Will there continue to be versions of Firefox available without the AI components? I'm sick of having to turn off new data-stealing AI settings all the time on a browser I once trusted. I hate that I am now looking for other options.

This isn't so much a question as a complaint, I guess. Get your shit together, Firefox!!!

bp-f7b43b48-1330-4328-a36a-2d3f10260127

Firefox has been crashing regularly for a full day now. I have one profile with multiple extensions, and a fresh profile that is meant to test firefox without any. With this new, "clean-slate" profile with none of my extensions installed, I still get repeated crashes. It is getting in the way of my ability to work- it happens even in Troubleshoot mode, even though I could not confirm any hardware issues prior to this.

Will I need to delete the extenstion-filled profile entirely before going forward? Is there an update I need to install, or anything else I should do myself? Should I provide a list of my extensions?

Attached is the Report ID of my latest crash- hopefully it will help.

Thank you!

I want to use the AI sidebar (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/ai-chatbot) and context menu to query my own chatbot. How to add my own chatbot(s) there?

I have been unable to find an email address, so I am turning to this forum to express my disgust at the incoming CEO's comments, namely "Firefox will remain our anchor. It will evolve into a modern AI browser and support a portfolio of new and trusted software additions."

Firefox's appeal as an alternative to Edge, Chrome, etc. is its respect for user privacy and control. Adopting AI tools into the browser itself is a betrayal of that respect, and will eliminate Firefox's advantages over rival browsers. If users want an AI browser, they already have that option. They want, instead, a browser that allows then to control their own experience and data. I beg the Mozilla foundation to actually do some research into your own market so you will learn that people hate LLM slop in their internet browsing.

Adopting AI tools will damage Mozilla's reputation as an organization worthy of respect. What's more, it will contribute to the further erosion of trust in information on the internet that AI has caused, because *LLMs lie and steal*. This is more than just a market mistake, this is an ethical mistake.

There is still time to change course. Do not follow Chrome and Edge into AI delusion.

I have a local file I wish to view in firefox without starting a HTTP server (it's only docs for a crate I'm building) however Firefox is unable to open the file despite the file existing and having correct permissions. The file was in a separate mount (disk) to where Ffox is installed so I copied to to /tmp/ to remove that as a variable but still no joy..

➜ ~ file /tmp/index.html /tmp/index.html: HTML document, Unicode text, UTF-8 text, with very long lines (3556) ➜ ~ ls -la /tmp/index.html -rwxr-xr-x 1 ben ben 4208 Dec 30 14:04 /tmp/index.html

Am I missing some new setting which allows local file browsing using the good old 'file:///' protocol?

Thanks, Ben

OS Info: PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS" NAME="Ubuntu" VERSION="24.04.3 LTS (Noble Numbat)" VERSION_CODENAME=noble

F/Fox version: 146.0.1 (64-bit)

I am very disappointed with the recent news from Firefox's new CEO to evolve into an AI browser. I specifically have been using Firefox to avoid AI generated results like those in Google/Bing. Firefox is losing its reputation as a trustworthy, user-first browser. I will stop using Firefox if/when these AI features are added.

youtube has failed to open fr 2 weeks now, it was working well before but on opening it of recent, it displayed this message below till now yet other tabs open well and my internet connection is stable

Unable to connect

Firefox can’t establish a connection to the server at www.youtube.com.

   The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few moments.
   If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer’s network connection.
   If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the web.

This wave of so-called AI (really nothing of the sort) is a nightmare for security, usability, performance and efficiency and if you keep forcing it on us I'll be jumping ship, probably for whichever fork excising it all gets popular.

I've been using first the Mozilla suite and then Firefox (since it was called Firebird, even) for twenty years now, don't do this to the browser I love.

Hello Mozilla Firefox Team,

I would like to request that Firefox include the Somali language for website translation.

I choose Firefox because I have been told it is more secure, but currently, it does not support Somali. This makes it difficult for me to read news and websites in my native language.

Adding Somali support would provide a better user experience for Somali speakers and improve access to online information. It would also encourage me and others to continue using Firefox as our preferred browser.

Thank you for your consideration Abdi

1. 1. 1. Setting Up Grok as an AI Chatbot in the Firefox Sidebar

Mozilla Firefox includes an experimental-turned-standard feature (introduced around version 131 and stabilized by version 133+) that allows users to integrate AI chatbots directly into the browser's sidebar for quick access while browsing. This provides a persistent chat interface without needing to switch tabs constantly. Natively, Firefox supports providers like ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), Claude (Anthropic), Le Chat (Mistral), and others through a dropdown selector. However, Grok (from xAI) is not included in the official list and must be added manually as a custom provider.

The screenshot you provided shows the standard Firefox "Proceed with Caution" warning when accessing `about:config` (the advanced preferences page), alongside an open tab at `https://grok.com/` displaying the SuperGrok interface. This strongly indicates the setup process for adding Grok via a custom configuration tweak, which loads the full Grok web app into the sidebar (essentially embedding `grok.com` in a framed view).

1. 1. 1. 1. Requirements and Context

- **Firefox Version**: Version 133 or later (as of early 2026, most users will have a newer version; check via Menu > Help > About Firefox). - **Account Needs**: You'll need an xAI/Grok account (free or SuperGrok/Premium+ subscription) for full access. Logging in within the sidebar will persist if cookies are allowed. - **Limitations**:

 - Only **one** chatbot can be active in the sidebar at a time.
 - Custom providers like Grok load the full web version, so interactions send data directly to xAI (no Mozilla intermediation, preserving Grok's native features like image generation, voice mode if available, or real-time search).
 - Performance may vary; the sidebar uses an embedded view, which could consume more resources than native integrations.
 - Privacy Implications: All queries go straight to the provider's servers. Review xAI's terms for data handling.
 - Persistence: The setting generally survives restarts, but closing/reopening the sidebar or browser resets might occasionally require re-login.

- **Nuances and Edge Cases**:

 - If you're on a free Grok plan, usage quotas apply (higher with SuperGrok).
 - Features like page summarization (highlight text > right-click > AI shortcuts) work if Grok supports context from the main tab.
 - Mobile Firefox does not support this sidebar feature.
 - If the sidebar doesn't appear after setup, ensure it's enabled in settings.

1. 1. 1. 1. Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

1. **Update Firefox (Recommended)**:

  - Go to Menu (three lines) > Help > About Firefox.
  - It will check for updates automatically; install any available.

2. **Access Advanced Preferences**:

  - In the address bar, type `about:config` and press Enter.
  - You'll see the "Proceed with Caution" warning (matching your screenshot).
  - Check the box for "Warn me when I attempt to access these preferences" if desired, then click **Accept the Risk and Continue**.

3. **Configure the Custom Provider for Grok**:

  - In the search bar at the top, type `browser.ml.chat.provider`.
  - If the preference exists, double-click it.
  - If it doesn't exist, click the "+" button to create a new string preference named `browser.ml.chat.provider`.
  - Set the value to: `https://grok.com/` (or `https://grok.x.ai/`—both typically work, but `grok.com` aligns with your screenshot and SuperGrok branding).
  - Click the checkmark or press Enter to save.

4. **Enable and Open the Sidebar**:

  - Go to Menu > Settings (or Preferences) > General tab.
  - Scroll to "Browser Layout" section.
  - Check **Show sidebar** if not already enabled.
  - Close settings.
  - Click the **Sidebar icon** in the toolbar (it looks like a panel; if missing, right-click toolbar > Customize Toolbar > drag it in).
  - In the sidebar, look for the **sparkle/AI chatbot icon** (or it may auto-load the chat interface).

5. **Access and Use Grok**:

  - The sidebar should now load Grok directly.
  - Log in to your xAI account if prompted (for full features like Grok 4 access or higher quotas).
  - Start chatting via the "Ask Grok" input at the bottom.
  - Optional shortcuts: Highlight text on a page > right-click > options like "Summarize," "Explain," etc. (Grok will process based on context).
  - To switch back to a native provider later: Return to `about:config`, clear or change the `browser.ml.chat.provider` value, then select from the dropdown in the sidebar.

1. 1. 1. 1. Troubleshooting and Alternatives

- **If Grok Doesn't Load**:

 - Clear the preference value and restart Firefox.
 - Ensure no extensions block iframes or cookies.
 - Try alternative URLs like `https://x.com/i/grok` if issues persist.

- **Reverting Changes**:

 - Set `browser.ml.chat.provider` to blank, or delete the preference.
 - Native options will reappear in the selector.

- **Alternatives if Native Setup Fails**:

 - **Extensions**: Search Firefox Add-ons for "Grok Sidebar" or similar (e.g., dedicated Grok integrations exist, often free).
 - **PWA Installation**: Visit `grok.com`, click the install icon in the address bar to add as a standalone app window.
 - **Other Browsers**: Edge/Chrome have similar sidebar AI features (e.g., Copilot or extensions) with easier Grok support.

- **Implications for Daily Use**:

 - Great for multitasking (e.g., ask Grok about a webpage without leaving it).
 - Enhances productivity but increases browser resource use.
 - As an experimental feature origin, it may evolve—Mozilla could add official Grok support in future updates.

This method provides the most integrated experience matching your screenshot. If you encounter issues or need clarification on a step, provide more details!

NB - For the past half a year I have to sometimes right click to interact with them, anyway

Effectively, I will interact with the extension at the most basic, normal level on something that has interactive elements like a dropdown menu, or basic options.

I will click / right click on the icon and the highlight will appear, then that's it ... the browser then crashes and does not recover. :(

What's worse is that I have to Force Quit and when I restart there is no crash report to send to Moz.

I am just wondering if other Linux users have experienced similar issues.

The attached image is taken at the moment before the 'Force Quit' dialogue opens up in Debian 12 Gnome (Wayland) ...

I have Hardware Acceleration on.

I am about to start testing with it off, but I work from the browser, and do not want performance compromises. So that is (at best) a work-around, and certainly is not a fix.

I'm on version 147.0.2 (64-bit) which would appear to be from the Mozilla Firefox Debian Package mozilla-deb - 1.0 install/repo/whatever ... and the PC specs are: Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10850H CPU @ 2.70GHz Memory: 32705MB (11893MB used) Resolution: 7680x2358 pixels OpenGL Renderer: Quadro RTX 3000/PCIe/SSE2

These are my media. prefs ... but ... I doubt that it is relevant: media.ffmpeg.allow-openh264 true media.ffmpeg.customized-buffer-allocation true media.ffmpeg.disable-software-fallback false media.ffmpeg.enabled true media.ffmpeg.encoder.cpu-used 7 media.ffmpeg.encoder.enabled true media.ffmpeg.encoder.quantizer-max 35 media.ffmpeg.encoder.quantizer-min 10 media.ffmpeg.vaapi.force-surface-zero-copy 2

Hello! See the screenshot please: so, I downloaded à pay-bill, with Firefox (under ubuntu), in private navigation, and I get the file with a padlock-symbol at the end. What means that? What means that for me (on my computer), what means that for à friend, when I sent him the pdt-file (can he open it?). Nota: I understood that I can choose between "delete downloads when closing the privat window" or not. And I choosed not to delete them (but there appears this padlock-symbol). Thanks for your help! Michael from France

I am using 140 ESR version on linux with Cloudflare's DNS over HTTPS and with DOH active for some reason resolving a domain like d3oklwo3y1bx83.cloudfront.net will resolve to local host IP 127.0.0.1.

I am using firefox about:networking#dnslookuptool to test resolution of the domain d3oklwo3y1bx83.cloudfront.net Both with DOH on and off the resolution remains local host. I tried another browser on the same workstation and I was able to receive a resolution of 13.225.193.203 13.225.193.133 13.225.193.64 13.225.193.58 Why is firefox ESR not able to resolve that domain? What are causes ?

Is is firefox dnslookuptool results.