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Why does my Firefox not have a Java plug-in?

  • 8 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by marty39

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I'm on a Mac, running with OS X Version 10.11.3, "El Capitan".

I just updated Java to Java 8 Update 73, the latest. Firefox is updated automatically and is now Firefox 44.0.2. Java fails verification on java.com with the message "We are unable to verify if Java is currently installed and enabled in your browser." The Java plugin is not listed on the plugins list page in Firefox (Tools / Add-ons / Plugins).

This is a replay of a question I asked about two years ago (archived, at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/975269). The versions are later. Firefox was starting in 32 bit mode, but this time unchecking that didn't help. Also this time, I "refreshed" Firefox, which I did not do last time, but that only helped temporarily.

Sometimes, when I'm lucky, I can verify the latest Java update on java.com. When Firefox is then closed, JavaAppletPlugin.plugin is listed in the [PLUGINS] section of pluginreg.dat. After Firefox is restarted, JavaAppletPlugin.plugin is listed in pluginreg.dat in the [INVALID] section, and Java verification fails.

I'm on a Mac, running with OS X Version 10.11.3, "El Capitan". I just updated Java to Java 8 Update 73, the latest. Firefox is updated automatically and is now Firefox 44.0.2. Java fails verification on java.com with the message "We are unable to verify if Java is currently installed and enabled in your browser." The Java plugin is not listed on the plugins list page in Firefox (Tools / Add-ons / Plugins). This is a replay of a question I asked about two years ago (archived, at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/975269). The versions are later. Firefox was starting in 32 bit mode, but this time unchecking that didn't help. Also this time, I "refreshed" Firefox, which I did not do last time, but that only helped temporarily. Sometimes, when I'm lucky, I can verify the latest Java update on java.com. When Firefox is then closed, JavaAppletPlugin.plugin is listed in the [PLUGINS] section of pluginreg.dat. After Firefox is restarted, JavaAppletPlugin.plugin is listed in pluginreg.dat in the [INVALID] section, and Java verification fails.

All Replies (8)

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Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open the Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)

On the left side of the page, select Plugins. Make sure the ones you want to use are set to Ask or Allow.


Go to the web page. Once the page is loading, mouse to the address bar and Left click the icon. A window for displaying site information should come up. Select More Information. Now select Permissions. In the menu, Make sure the ones you want to use are set to Ask or Allow.

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FredMcD wrote "Make sure the ones you want to use are set to Ask or Allow." Problem is, one of those I want to use (Java) isn't there at all.

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Java Downloads for All Operating Systems


Make sure your Java (Not JavaScript) is up to date Verify Java and Find Out-of-Date Versions {web link}

Version 8 Update 73 Release Date February 5, 2016 http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

https://java.com/en/download/help/ Java Help Center

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FredMcD, thanks for your eagerness to help, but read my question. Don't make me repeat myself.

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Have you checked the Java Help Center link?

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Fred, I checked every link I could find. Suggestions to mark the plugin as enabled are pointless because the plugin isn't there to enable. As I said, I went so far as to "refresh" Firefox, and I thought it helped but I'm back where I didn't want to be. I'm waiting for somebody to suggest something specific I could do.

Update: I didn't at first see the Help link on the verification page; I followed the troubleshooting link. I just went to the Java Help Center through the Help link, and there isn't anything there about "Why can't Java be detected and verified after I update to the latest version?" I found a link to pay support, but I don't think I need Java enough to pay them to fix a bug.

Modified by marty39

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I've called the big guys to help you. Good luck.

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For no obvious reason, after the last Java update the verification on the java.com website succeeded, and the plugins list now includes a "Java Applet Plug-in."