Can't open new tab by clicking on a link.
This must be a unique problem, because I have gotten little in the way of responses. Nothing has worked so far.
When i click on a link WITHIN FIREFOX, at the end of the tabs row I see a tab momentarily start to open but then disappear. This is about 75% of the time. Occasionally, links will work if they are on buttons, but not always.
The only way I can open a link is to right-click on the link, click <copy link location>, click on <+> at the end of the tab bar to open a new tab then right-click in the location window and then click <Paste and go>.
It was suggested that I try restart in "safe" mode, then see which add-ons are causing the problem by disabling them all and re-enabling them one by one until one of them induces the problem. That didn't work because once in Safe mode, the behavior was gone.
I have posted this three times now, in different posts. But so far, I have to use that complex method of opening tabs.
Anybody seen this behavior?
Thanks.
Chosen solution
Are you saying the problem goes away?
It could be the work of one of your add-ons, or it could be Hardware Acceleration. How to disable Hardware Acceleration {web link}
Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)
In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.
Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All Of them.
If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.
Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is, detective.
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (7)
Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.
A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?
FredMcD said
Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox. A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?
Thanks for your reply.
Yes, I have done that, and in Safe Mode it does not occur.
Chosen Solution
Are you saying the problem goes away?
It could be the work of one of your add-ons, or it could be Hardware Acceleration. How to disable Hardware Acceleration {web link}
Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)
In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.
Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All Of them.
If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.
Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is, detective.
FredMcD,
Well, progress here. After closing all Extensions I found the problem went away. Looking at the list, I saw "Tree Style Tabs" (I'm lamenting the loss of the tab program I used for years) and got suspicious. Enabled it and found I could open a link next to my pile of Pinned tabs, but when I did, I got two tabs, one with a list of something that looked like they were links, but were not "live".
Disabled that one. Now it's behaving itself, and I will continue to enable other Extensions until this process runs out. Only a few added since FF55.
Thanks very much. This problem has been there for months. No more.
Modified by FireFox Sync
OK an update. I found that while Adblock Plus did not recreate the failure, Adaware Ad Block did. Also, adding Formswift and PDF Editor did not recreate it.
Good work.
I had the same problem until I found and used the steps above. Yes, Adaware Plus was the cause of my issue, too - removed it and FF is once again my default browser!