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Context Menu - Cut and Paste Options Grayed Out, Won't Work

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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Sometimes, when using Firefox, if I try to cut and paste something, and I use the Right-Click context menu, the "Copy" and "Paste" options will be grayed out and will not work. It doesn't happen all the time, but it happens often enough that I think it needs to be addressed.

Say for example, I'm on Facebook, and I want to copy something from someone's status to post as a comment elsewhere. Or I'm on a webpage and want to copy and paste a word so I can do a quick search for more information. About a third of the time, the Right-Click option will not allow me to do this. The word "Copy" will appear in the context menu, but it will be grayed out and will not work.

The only way I can make it work is to go to another program (like Word) and perform a cut-and-paste operation there. Then, when I return to Firefox, it will work.

Sometimes, when using Firefox, if I try to cut and paste something, and I use the Right-Click context menu, the "Copy" and "Paste" options will be grayed out and will not work. It doesn't happen all the time, but it happens often enough that I think it needs to be addressed. Say for example, I'm on Facebook, and I want to copy something from someone's status to post as a comment elsewhere. Or I'm on a webpage and want to copy and paste a word so I can do a quick search for more information. About a third of the time, the Right-Click option will not allow me to do this. The word "Copy" will appear in the context menu, but it will be grayed out and will not work. The only way I can make it work is to go to another program (like Word) and perform a cut-and-paste operation there. Then, when I return to Firefox, it will work.

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Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration or userChrome.css is causing the problem.

  • switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Themes
  • do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Safe Mode start window