If you use a bookmark to access a specific page then instead navigate to this page starting with the main page or with the sign in page in case there is a problem with this bookmark.

You can try these steps in case of issues with web pages:

You can reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

• hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
• press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
• press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the Cache and remove the Cookies for websites that cause problems via the "3-bar" Firefox menu button (Options/Preferences).

"Remove the Cookies" for websites that cause problems:

• Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
  Cookies and Site Data: "Manage Data"

"Clear the Cache":

• Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
  Cookies and Site Data -> Clear Data -> Cached Web Content: Clear

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 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

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems

I get around this by; When I find a link I want to check out, I open it in a new tab/window. Then when I am done, I close it and am back where I started.

FredMcD: I use that technique sometimes too. Does the fact that you do this imply that you have the same problem? I'm going to try some if the ideas in the other posts but they are complicated and I'd like to know if this is an inherent problem with FireFox, since I don't recall seeing it in any other browser. Thanks, M

You shouldn't get a page from yesterday if you use the back button, but you should get the current page (i.e. the page you saw previously). If you do get an older page then this would indicate that Firefox loads the outdated page from the disk cache and you can try to clear the disk cache like I posted above to see if that has effect.

Thanks all for the helpful responses. I am experimenting with clearing the cache but it is hard to construct a controlled experiment to evaluate if it is helping. I'll report back if I find anything definitive.

Type about:preferences#privacy<enter> in the address bar. The button next to History, select Use Custom Settings.

Turn off Always Use Private Browsing Mode Turn on Remember My Browsing And Download History At the bottom of the page, turn on Clear History When Firefox Closes. At the far right, press the Settings button. Turn on ONLY Cache and Form And Search History leaving the others off

FredMcD said

Type about:preferences#privacy<enter> ...

cor-el said

You shouldn't get a page from yesterday ...

I have been able to reliably reproduce this effect: 1. Wait until CNN issues a new main page 2. Go to cnn.com 3. Click on one of the links on the main page 4. Click on the back button (returns to cached page)

I think that if I clear the cache it will fix the problem until a new page is cached; the the problem recurs.

The steps by FredMcD didn't help.

I'm not really interested in random ideas or workarounds. I can always use the workaround of opening a new tab. What I was hoping from this forum was: 1. Others acknowledge that they are having the same problem so that I can be assured that it isn't just a problem with my setup. 2. The development team would acknowledge this issue and be glad that I have pointed it out so they can work on it.

I guess to fully eliminate my environment I will have to see if I can reproduce in safe mode without addons.

M

You could remove the cache manually in case it is corrupt.

Location of the cache/cache2 folder; Windows: *C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\ Mac: ~/Library/Caches/Firefox/Profiles/ Linux: ~/.cache/mozilla/firefox/

Close Firefox. Open your file browser to the above, and remove the folder.

I think FredMcD's earlier suggestion may have done the trick, it just took some time to take effect. I don't think removing the cache had any effect.

FredMcD said

Type about:preferences#privacy<enter> in the address bar. The button next to History, select Use Custom Settings. Turn off Always Use Private Browsing Mode Turn on Remember My Browsing And Download History At the bottom of the page, turn on Clear History When Firefox Closes. At the far right, press the Settings button. Turn on ONLY Cache and Form And Search History leaving the others off

Seems to be working OK now. Thanks for the help.

Glad to help. Safe Surfing.