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Why is geolocation so far off from my location; 40 or 50 miles off?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 28 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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Even when I give my zip code, it gives a place 40 miles away. I keep giving it my correct location but it will not save it. Specifically, it seems to think 90601 is in Tujunga instead of Whittier.

Even when I give my zip code, it gives a place 40 miles away. I keep giving it my correct location but it will not save it. Specifically, it seems to think 90601 is in Tujunga instead of Whittier.

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It uses your ISP location or a transponder hub that is close to you. I would guess that they do not have any hubs close to you.

Places find me 50-100miles away and that suits me fine for myself. As every website you go to is asking where you are and it is telling them some place else which is a good thing.

Can you not work around what ever program your trying to use ?

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You can use websites like these to see how your location is reported via a reverse DNS look up of your IP:


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

"Remove the Cookies" from 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 is causing the problem.

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