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How Do You Enable Java

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I am trying to use a website that needs me to enable Java for the website to work. It gives me some firefox directions on how to do it. I just can't figure it out. Can somebody please help me ASAP thank you

I am trying to use a website that needs me to enable Java for the website to work. It gives me some firefox directions on how to do it. I just can't figure it out. Can somebody please help me ASAP thank you

All Replies (6)

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Hello Trisha801,

If you only need Java on one site, you could use the portable Firefox 52.9.0 ESR, as it will not interfere with your Firefox release version and profile :

https://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox-portable-legacy-52

Would that work for you  ?

(Or maybe you could use IE on that site, as it still supports Java)

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Hi Trisha801, just a footnote that all versions of Firefox run JavaScript, a built-in scripting language that doesn't rely on the old Java plugin.

If a website says you need to enable JavaScript, this might not indicate a problem with your JavaScript setting -- because then half the web would tell you JavaScript isn't working -- but possibly with content blocking.

Firefox's Content Blocking feature and extensions that counter ads and tracking may break websites that embed third party content (meaning, from a secondary server).

(A) Do you see a shield icon toward the left end of the address bar, near the lock icon? More info on managing the Tracking Protection feature in this article: Content Blocking.

(B) Extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix should provide toolbar buttons to manage blocked content in a page. There may or may not be a number on the icon indicating the number of blocked items; you may need to click the button to see what's going on and test whether you need to make an exception for this site.

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I can't log into Google with the update on Firefox. I had no problem with the older version, why was Java discontinued? Now, in order to check my email I have to use Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, both sucks.

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Hi Kenneth LaGrow

This is likely not about Java, but about JavaScript like posted above and is in most cases caused by content blocking extensions.

If you use extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) that can block content (Adblock Plus, NoScript, Disconnect, Ghostery, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin) always make sure such extensions do not block content.

Firefox shows the shield icon at the left end of the location/address bar in case Content Blocking is blocking content.

  • click the shield icon for more details and possibly disable the protection

You can check the Web Console about what content is blocked


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 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 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
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I got it working. It wasn't the browser, Gmail wasn't loading properly. I restarted my system and tried again and it went through with no problem. Thank you for the tips though, they may come in handy in the future.