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Can't download attachments from Gmail

  • 8 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 65 views
  • Last reply by seggbizo

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I'm unable to download any attachments directly from Gmail, although saving them to Drive and then downloading from there works, but I have to waste precious seconds with this method and it's pretty frustrating. :) I've tried starting Firefox in safe mode, clearing the cache, disabling ESET Smart Security's web and e-mail protection, but unfortunately none of them helped. I have also tried downloading attachments with Internet Explorer and that works just fine.

I'm using the latest version of Firefox (48.0.1 currently) and Windows 8.1 Pro x64.

I'm unable to download any attachments directly from Gmail, although saving them to Drive and then downloading from there works, but I have to waste precious seconds with this method and it's pretty frustrating. :) I've tried starting Firefox in safe mode, clearing the cache, disabling ESET Smart Security's web and e-mail protection, but unfortunately none of them helped. I have also tried downloading attachments with Internet Explorer and that works just fine. I'm using the latest version of Firefox (48.0.1 currently) and Windows 8.1 Pro x64.

Chosen solution

So, it seems like InlineDisposition was causing this trouble. I just tried again in safe mode, and I could download attached files, so I tried with InlineDisposition disabled and it worked just fine again.

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All Replies (8)

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It must not be compatible with your computer.

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anf25 said

It must not be compatible with your computer.

What? Gmail?

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Could you describe what happens when you try to download attachments normally -- if your Firefox is set to ask you where to save files, does it even get that far?

Is there any pattern to particular file types being a problem or does it affect all attachments?

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jscher2000 said

Could you describe what happens when you try to download attachments normally -- if your Firefox is set to ask you where to save files, does it even get that far? Is there any pattern to particular file types being a problem or does it affect all attachments?

Nothing happens and it affects every type of attachments, jpg, doc, etc.

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Google has a certain genius for complexity. When I open Firefox's Network Monitor in the lower part of the tab first, then click the download button, Firefox shows 4 redirects on the way to displaying the Save As dialog. I have attached a screenshot for reference.

If you try a similar thing, how far does Firefox get in retrieving the download? After opening the message, you can open the Network Monitor using either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+k, then click Network along the top bar
  • "3-bar" menu button > Developer > Network
  • (menu bar) Tools > Web Developer > Network

Then scroll a download tile into view and try the download button. Does the panel record any requests?

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These are the only requests I get ~2 minutes after pressing the download button. I think the last GET request is the one I need, am I right? :)

Modified by seggbizo

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Hmm, why isn't the circle for the line with the 200 status green? It seems to say that the download was cached, which I also see on the second try, but I still get a dialog to save the file.

Just to confirm:

  • Your Firefox isn't saving silently -- when you look at the download list (arrow on the panel or Ctrl+j), the files are not listed there.
  • You tested with InlineDisposition disabled, although I think that only affects certain file types you've asked it to open in the browser rather than downloading.
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Chosen Solution

So, it seems like InlineDisposition was causing this trouble. I just tried again in safe mode, and I could download attached files, so I tried with InlineDisposition disabled and it worked just fine again.