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I can't get "take a screeenshot" which used to be on the menu in spite of trying all the suggestions on the forum except the "refresh firefox" option. Help!

  • 15 replies
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  • Last reply by HibaDuk

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Nothing seems to be helping to restore the screenshot option, because I have tried all the suggestions except refreshing Firefox, which I really don't want to do having read comments saying that this lost files and caused problems. I really need the screenshot option. I've looked under extensions.screenshots.disabled and it is set to "false". I restarted Firefox. The screenshot extension is listed in the Help>Troubleshooting Information. So now what do I do? I don't understand why it vanished in the first place. I am NOT good with computers.

Nothing seems to be helping to restore the screenshot option, because I have tried all the suggestions except refreshing Firefox, which I really don't want to do having read comments saying that this lost files and caused problems. I really need the screenshot option. I've looked under extensions.screenshots.disabled and it is set to "false". I restarted Firefox. The screenshot extension is listed in the Help>Troubleshooting Information. So now what do I do? I don't understand why it vanished in the first place. I am NOT good with computers.

Chosen solution

Hi Cor-el,

When I right-clicked the 3-dot menu, I found the "take a screenshot" option, and it works! I don't know how it got there, but as long as I can find it and use it, I'm very happy. I wouldn't have thought of right-clicking that menu without your suggestions, so thank you very much.

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All Replies (15)

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Hello Diana2,

Just to make sure : when you say that you have tried every suggestion, does that include clicking on the Page actions button (the three horizontal dots at the end of the address bar)  ?

The "Take a Screenshot" should be listed there .....

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Hi McCoy, Yes, I started with the page actions button (the three little parallel lines, top right corner. The "take a screenshot" option used to be there but it has just vanished, and the option isn't hidden anywhere else on the menu, because I've looked. I can do "save as web page", but that gives me a text file and I need a picture file I can crop. If you have any good ideas other than "refresh Firefox" I will try them. Otherwise I really don't know what to do--and these things always happen when you don't have time for problems.

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Again just to make sure :

I've got the feeling that you are talking about the 3-bar menu (the three horizontal lines at the end of the toolbar, right under the closing X), while I am talking about the three horizontal dots at the end of the address bar, next to the bookmark star ......

If I'm wrong : please accept my apologies.

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Hi McCoy,

You're right, I was looking at the three-bar menu (where it used to be if I recall correctly). Unfortunately, it isn't on the three dot menu either. A pity. For a moment there I thought it was an easy fix.

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I must admit that I'm baffled - you mention in your original post that on the "about:config" page the value of the preference "extensions.screenshots.disabled " is set to "false" - and yet the feature is nowhere to be found.

I can only hope that somebody else will read this and come to your rescue, cause I'm all out of ideas (so sorry ..... )

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Hi McCoy,

Thanks for trying. If I can't fix it I'll just have to use Outlook or something to take my screen shots. I just don't know enough about computers!

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Would you, just to make absolutely sure, check the value of that preference on the "about:config" page one last time  ? (one never knows - strange things do happen .... )

Just between you and I : I use Windows 10 Snipping Tool ....

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027213/windows-10-open-snipping-tool-and-take-a-screenshot

When I need to upload a screenshot here on the support forum I take a screenshot by pressing the Alt + PrtSc keys.

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Hi McCoy,

I'll try the Windows 10 snipping tool--sounds good. I just tried Alt + PrtSc keys, several times, but nothing happened. Don't have time to check the about:config--had a quick look but no longer recall what I am looking for as it isn't under "screen shot". Never mind. I just need one way to do it that works, so if Windows 10 snipping tool works I'll be happy,

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I use the Alt + PrtSc keys only to take a screenshot that I need to upload here. After you've pressed those keys, you won't see 'anything happen' - after I've pressed those keys I click on the magnifying glass on my task bar and type "Paint". There I click on "Paste" and then I select the size. Reduce the number of pixels to 50.


Even though you said you checked this already, would you (just in case) do this :

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

Type in the search bar and look for the preference :

extensions.screenshots.disabled

And make sure that the value is set to false

If you had to change the value, then close and restart Firefox.

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Hi,

The value is still set to "false". Doesn't matter. I'm too old for this; just need technology to work or to find a way around things that don't work. Many thanks, though!

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Hi, I understand your reluctance to use Refresh, so although that might work, here's a few simple things to try - if you want:

Assuming it's the built in screenshot tool that isn't working - How do I create a screenshot of my problem?

If you have installed any add-ons (extensions) or a theme yourself, disable them (NOT Remove) and restart Firefox; then if it's OK, re-enable them one by one until you find the culprit. You may need to restart Firefox after enabling some of them. (3-bar menu > Add-ons > Extensions/Themes).

Open the 3-bar menu > Customize, and try clicking on Restore Defaults. (Note: If you have customised the toolbar layout yourself or moved any buttons, they will be reset, so you will have to do it again). Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars.

If the above doesn't help, or you don't want to try; a screenshot extension that I've used for years on Firefox is https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/nimbus-screenshot/

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What items do you see in the three dots (...) page actions drop-down list?

You can try to reset this pref via the right-click context menu to the default value.

  • browser.pageActions.persistedActions

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I accept the risk!" to continue.


Note that the developer tools also have a button to take a screenshot that you can add to the developer toolbox.

  • "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Web Developer -> Web Console

You can press the F1 key to open the Settings page.

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Chosen Solution

Hi Cor-el,

When I right-clicked the 3-dot menu, I found the "take a screenshot" option, and it works! I don't know how it got there, but as long as I can find it and use it, I'm very happy. I wouldn't have thought of right-clicking that menu without your suggestions, so thank you very much.

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I think what you should do is right click on a blank (non text input) surface and take a screenshot will be there

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Hi Diana2,

Please set this forum to answered now that you have the answer