Can you get desktop notifications from a new site, for example, this test page where Firefox should display a permission drop-panel toward the left end of the address bar:

https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/API/Notifications_API/Using_the_Notifications_API

If you don't get anything, please check your settings:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button promising to be careful.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste desk and pause while the list is filtered

Check this, which determines whether Firefox displays the permissions panel or blocks sites from showing notifications by default:

• permissions.default.desktop-notification (default = 0)

If it is "modified" you can right-click > Reset to restore the default

(3) In the search box above the list, type or paste webno and pause while the list is filtered

Check these:

• dom.webnotifications.enabled (default = true)
• dom.webnotifications.serviceworker.enabled (default = true)

If any are "modified" to false you can double-click to switch to true

(4) In the search box above the list, type or paste push and pause while the list is filtered

Try right-click > Reset on any modified preferences.

Any improvement?

Thanks for the reply.

I've followed your instructions and that hasn't restored push notifications.

Does that Mozilla demo page work for you?

Could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? In its Safe Mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. (On Mac, hold down the option/alt key instead of the Shift key.)

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

• "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
• (menu bar) Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement?

jscher2000:

The web page to which you linked me provides instructions for giving applications push-notification capability.Is it also supposed to send at least one push-notification immediately upon visit? Whether it is or not, I've not received a notification from that site nor any of the others.

I had already manually disabled the browser add-ons, but I did follow your suggestion of restarting in safe-mode. Either there hasn't be an attempt to push a notification since safe-mode operation, or the notifications still aren't working.

For the record. I've also done a "refresh" without restoring my previous settings.

I'm wondering if something has changed in one of the recent updates which is makes the notifications unable to get though a firewall and proxy.

xmachina said

The web page to which you linked me provides instructions for giving applications push-notification capability. Is it also supposed to send at least one push-notification immediately upon visit?

When I load the page, it immediately triggers this:

It sounds as though you are not getting that, which is why I wanted you to check the various preferences to see whether something obvious was blocking it.

I'm wondering if something has changed in one of the recent updates which is makes the notifications unable to get though a firewall and proxy.

Desktop notifications are triggered either by a currently open web page or by a closed webpage that created a JavaScript serviceworker process. I think these use regular HTTP connections, so nothing special should be required at the firewall. Proxy servers can rewrite content, so conceivably could strip out bits and pieces, but I have no idea whether it would target notifications.

I see the source the miscommunication.

Everything with regard to setting push notifications works as expected. The prompt which allows for initial selection of the notification setting appears as normal. I've even cleared the notification setting for a selected site and re-established it using the prompt.

It just doesn't work.

Hello,

The Refresh feature (called "Reset" in older Firefox versions) can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, and other essential information.

Note: When you use this feature, you will lose any extensions, toolbar customizations, and some preferences. See the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article for more information.

To Refresh Firefox:

1. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using one of these methods:
   • Click the menu button , click help and select Troubleshooting Information. A new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
   • If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
2. At the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says "Refresh Firefox" ("Reset Firefox" in older Firefox versions). Click on it.
3. Firefox will close. After the refresh process is completed, Firefox will show a window with the information that is imported.
4. Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.

Did this fix the problem? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support to see if that has effect in case security software is causing problems.

• http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/
• http://www.7tutorials.com/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10