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Firefox is losing me. I can no longer download PDFs, I have to go to Safari. I have tried to re-install and use the Firefox tool, but it doesn't seem to work.

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I have tried to re-install and use the Firefox tool, but it doesn't seem to work. I have also downloaded Adobe's tool and it too doesn't work.

Now I cannot utilize my bank's website (wellsfargo.com) on Firefox because the drop-down menus do not work. As soon as I click on a drop-down, it simply click right back up to the original. Only if I double click, then Firefox moves me to a new tab (says java...), but when I return to the WFB tab, now I can see the whole drop-down menu.

This is getting pretty frustrating and I am about to give up on Firefox for Safari, where all of this works. I can download PDFs and my WFB website works just fine.

I have tried to re-install and use the Firefox tool, but it doesn't seem to work. I have also downloaded Adobe's tool and it too doesn't work. Now I cannot utilize my bank's website (wellsfargo.com) on Firefox because the drop-down menus do not work. As soon as I click on a drop-down, it simply click right back up to the original. Only if I double click, then Firefox moves me to a new tab (says java...), but when I return to the WFB tab, now I can see the whole drop-down menu. This is getting pretty frustrating and I am about to give up on Firefox for Safari, where all of this works. I can download PDFs and my WFB website works just fine.

All Replies (2)

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Don't forget about the prime Mac "magic fix"... delete all Firefox preferences and try again.

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Hi crazybunny, do you encounter this problem with all PDFs on the web, or is it particular to the bank's website?

If this is a broader problem with PDFs, what was happening before when you clicked a link to a PDF?

Note: If you launch a link and end up with a javascript: address in the address bar, that link was not meant to be opened in a new window or new tab, it needs to run a script in the context of the original page.

And, the usual:

When you have a problem with one particular site, a good "first thing to try" is clearing your Firefox cache and deleting your saved cookies for the site.

(1) Clear Firefox's Cache

See: How to clear the Firefox cache

If you have a large hard drive, this might take a few minutes. If you do not see the number going down on the page, you can reload it using Command+r to check progress.

(2) Remove the site's cookies (save any pending work first). While viewing a page on the site, try either:

  • right-click (on Mac Ctrl+click) a blank area of the page and choose View Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
  • (menu bar) Tools > Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
  • click the padlock or "i" icon in the address bar, then the ">" button, then More Information, and finally the "View Cookies" button

In the dialog that opens, the current site should be pre-filled in the search box at the top of the dialog so you can remove that site's cookies individually.

Then try reloading the page. Does that help?


Could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? In Safe Mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the option/alt key when starting Firefox. (On Windows, hold down the Shift key instead.)

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement?