firefox 57 (ubuntu 16.04) not rendering text of some webpages
$ uname -a
Linux ### 4.4.0-92-generic #115-Ubuntu SMP Thu Aug 10 09:04:33 UTC 2017 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Firefox is upgraded to 57 by apt-get upgrade.
$ sudo apt-get install --reinstall firefox # and restarted. Doesn't work
It might not be a graphics driver problem as Chrome could render OK
Some webpages work, like google/support.mozilla, but for github/youtube it's weird
The unrendered text cannot be highlighted but some rendered with question mark characters can be highlighted.
On youtube frontpage, I can see Chinese/Japanese text but not English text
Modified by pterodragon
Chosen solution
See also:
The culprit seems to be some kind of new sandboxing in 57 which prevents fonts from loading.
- Open a new tab and type about:config in the address field (press enter, accept risks, etc., etc.)
- Type “sandbox” in the search box
- Change the setting security.sandbox.content.level to 2
- Restart Firefox
If that doesn’t work you could try changing it to 1.
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (6)
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:
- 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.
- Click the menu button
- 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.
- Firefox will close. After the refresh process is completed, Firefox will show a window with the information that is imported.
- Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.
Did this fix the problem? Please report back to us!
Thank you.
Hi Mkll,
Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately refreshing firefox doesn't fix the problem...
rm -rf ~/.mozilla/firefox doesn't solve the problem either...
Could it be a font rendering problem?
Modified by pterodragon
I have tried a new blank profile but the behaviour is EXACTLY the same. Google search is now useless as the page will not display. This is a complete fail. Reddit also doesn’t display. Also some StackExchange pages. Firefox is now completely unreliable as a browser!
Using Ubuntu 16.04 + Xfce. I have no problem in Chrome, Gnome Web Browser or with previous versions of Firefox, so Waterfox (55.2.2) works.
Chosen Solution
See also:
The culprit seems to be some kind of new sandboxing in 57 which prevents fonts from loading.
- Open a new tab and type about:config in the address field (press enter, accept risks, etc., etc.)
- Type “sandbox” in the search box
- Change the setting security.sandbox.content.level to 2
- Restart Firefox
If that doesn’t work you could try changing it to 1.
Modified by Moilleadóir
Thanks so much for the information! I looked at the other question pages from your answer and I chose the alternative solution here which is to set the value of "security.sandbox.content.read_path_whitelist" in about:config [https://askubuntu.com/questions/97698.../977582#977582]
Good to see something’s turned up at Ask Ubuntu — thanks for the heads-up.
I think I’ll stick with switching off some sandboxing until they fix this rather than trying to parse every font config in /etc/fonts/config.d and add exceptions.