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Only on some websites

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Suddenly, in the last few days, I cannot click on certain buttons on various websites. There is no pattern here. For example, when I click on the log-in button on Bank of America, nothing happens. This is happening randomly through various sites. I have tried the same buttons in Chrome and they work fine. I ran an extensive malware scan and it showed nothing wrong. Another example is when I clicked on the "share data" button for this message, nothing happens. I have recently upgraded to the most recent version of Firefox. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Suddenly, in the last few days, I cannot click on certain buttons on various websites. There is no pattern here. For example, when I click on the log-in button on Bank of America, nothing happens. This is happening randomly through various sites. I have tried the same buttons in Chrome and they work fine. I ran an extensive malware scan and it showed nothing wrong. Another example is when I clicked on the "share data" button for this message, nothing happens. I have recently upgraded to the most recent version of Firefox. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

All Replies (18)

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What is your computer system and Firefox?


Use this link to check that your plugins are up-to-date. If any are listed as unknown or research, do not worry about them.


Many site issues can be caused by corrupt cookies or cache.

  • Clear the Cache and
  • Remove Cookies
    Warning ! ! This will log you out of sites you're logged in to.

Type about:preferences<Enter> in the address bar.

  • Cookies; Select Privacy. Under History, select Firefox will Use Custom Settings. Press the button on the right side called Show Cookies. Use the search bar to look for the site. Note; There may be more than one entry. Remove All of them.
  • Cache; Select Advanced > Network. Across from Cached Web Content, Press Clear Now.

If there is still a problem, Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). While you are in safe mode;

Type about:preferences#advanced<Enter> in the address bar.

Under Advanced, Select General. Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.

Poke around safe websites. Are there any problems?

Then restart.

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Thanks for all the information. I have Win 7 and FF 48. I have already tried clearing the cache and removing the cookies yesterday. I also ran a full Malwarebytes spyware scan that came up negative. I just checked and all of my important plug-ins are up-to-date. I will try your final suggestion in safe mode a little later and report back.

Thanks so much.

Modified by moffettleslie

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I tried the final step in safe mode and deactivated the "use hardware acceleration". The B of A site worked in safe mode, but when I restarted and went back to some of my regular sites, the problem is still happening. Any other ideas would be appreciated. Everything works fine in Chrome, but I don't like that browser.

Thanks

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One of the most important features of Firefox's Safe Mode is that it disables your extensions. Do you use any extensions that might block activities on web pages such as pop-ups, ads, or tracking? If they have a feature to make an exception for the bank and for this site, see whether that makes any difference.

Alternately, you could disable the most relevant kind of extensions as a test: You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. All extensions are optional. If in doubt, disable.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Any difference?

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So far I've tried disabling the ad blocker, but that doesn't do anything. I will try the rest later. Thanks so much for trying to help me.

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All optional extensions are disabled. Still not working.

Leslie

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What extensions are still enabled?

If you use a private window for these sites, watch out for Tracking Protection. See: What happened to Tracking Protection?.

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Grease monkey, colorful tabs, my words, zoom page

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Unless one of your userscripts runs on those sites, I don't think Greasemonkey could be the culprit. The others also do not sound as though they would affect buttons. What am I missing here?

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It's so frustrating because it only happens on certain buttons on certain sites. It's all over the place so I don't know what else to say. I appreciate all your help.

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If you can provide some URLs as you go along and provide the steps to see the error, that might help. Sites that do not require an account are easier for volunteers to examine.

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Type about:preferences#advanced<Enter> in the address bar. Under Advanced, Select General. Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.

Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open the Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)

On the left side of the page, select Appearance. Then select Default.

Now restart Firefox.

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Appearance is already set as default. Thank you.

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Hi - I'm not getting errors, it just nothing when I click on certain buttons or links - no specific sites - it's intermittent.

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moffettleslie said

Hi - I'm not getting errors, it just nothing when I click on certain buttons or links - no specific sites - it's intermittent.

Do you mean the same site might work in the morning and not in the afternoon? If you can find any site that doesn't work, please provide a link and mention which button is not working (whether there is a visible error or not, we need to know the steps to recreate the problem).

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It's a lot more than one site. For example, the Bank of America never works. Some other sites I have used for years also have stopped working when I click on something. There doesn't seem to be any pattern or rationale behind what is happening. It also just started out of the blue; not after installing something or changing something. I really appreciate all your efforts to help me, but I'm not sure you will be able to recreate the problem since it is so erratic.

P.S. It also happens on the AARP site that I use almost daily. It was working fine until a couple of weeks ago, like the B of A and others, then just stopped. On this particular site, I click on a button to sign in and get a white page, but other links on the same site work fine.

Modified by moffettleslie

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Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start Firefox. Try Safe websites. Is the problem still there?

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

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Thanks for all your help Fred McD - today B of A is working and other sites aren't. I will try your suggestion, but I'm beginning to think this phantom problem is going to stick with me.