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Why do ctvnews.ca videos play ONLY when "Private Browsing" mode is on and not otherwise?

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 30 views
  • Last reply by romboc

On my main computer all videos from calgary.ctvnews.ca play only when the "Private Browsing" mode is turned ON. Otherwise the video screen goes black and does not ever play the video. Exactly the reverse is the case for my other computers. In those computers after a delay, the video loads and then plays. All of my computers are Firefox-synced and thus should be the same. All computers are on Windows 10, Fall Update 1709, Build number is 16299.492, and all updates have been installed.

On my main computer all videos from calgary.ctvnews.ca play only when the "Private Browsing" mode is turned ON. Otherwise the video screen goes black and does not ever play the video. Exactly the reverse is the case for my other computers. In those computers after a delay, the video loads and then plays. All of my computers are Firefox-synced and thus should be the same. All computers are on Windows 10, Fall Update 1709, Build number is 16299.492, and all updates have been installed.

Modified by romboc

Chosen solution

In PB mode the disk cache isn't used and a separate cookie jar is used.

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

If clearing cookies didn't help then It is possible that the cookies.sqlite file in the Firefox profile folder that stores the cookies got corrupted.

  • rename/remove cookies.sqlite (cookies.sqlite.old) and if present delete cookies.sqlite-shm and cookies.sqlite-wal in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed in case cookies.sqlite got corrupted.

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

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All Replies (6)

No problem with FF running standard not private and click on random video and it played without problem.

That has been my result with the other computers as well. However, this one computer is very contrary and only plays these videos when I am in "Private Browser" mode. By the way, there is no difficulty playing You-Tube videos or videos from othe4r web locations. I do not understand this since all four computers are synced through Firefox, and thus should be the same. Thanks for your reply!

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

Firefox shows the shield icon at the left end of the location/address bar in case content is blocked by Tracking Protection.

  • click the shield icon for more detail and possibly disable the protection
  • check the Web Console for more detail about what content is blocked by Tracking Protection
  • "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Web Developer

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 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

Sorry, but none of these are really related to my problem. All my computers have the same add-ons (and settings as far as I can tell), and yet three of these computers play the videos normally, but this one only works in "Private Browsing" mode. This is what I am trying to solve. Thanks for your reply.

Chosen Solution

In PB mode the disk cache isn't used and a separate cookie jar is used.

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

If clearing cookies didn't help then It is possible that the cookies.sqlite file in the Firefox profile folder that stores the cookies got corrupted.

  • rename/remove cookies.sqlite (cookies.sqlite.old) and if present delete cookies.sqlite-shm and cookies.sqlite-wal in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed in case cookies.sqlite got corrupted.

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

Thank you. After deleting the specific site cookies, the videos now appear and play prorly. Thank you!