I haven't used this feature on eBay, but often sites use Google's ReCAPTCHA service for these codes. In order to coordinate this process between the sites, you may need to allow third party cookies, and if you are using something like Google Disconnect, check into how to adjust it so ReCAPTCHA works.

One way to test whether it works in Firefox under the "best case scenario" is to try the page in Firefox's Safe Mode in a Private Browsing window. This will help bypass restrictive cookie settings, as well as other filtering behaviors of extensions, to see whether those are a factor.

You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using

Help > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

In the small dialog that should appear, click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Reset)

Then open a private browsing window using either:

• Ctrl+Shift+p
• File menu > New Private Window
• orange Firefox button > New Private Window

In that window, try this eBay feature. Any difference?

Hi Thanks for your answer. I did try but when the dialog box appears, it does not give me that option. Instead it reads "Are you sure you want to disable all add-ons and restart?". Since I am not a computer person, and the words were not exact, I was afraid to go ahead. Elsa

Hi ELR1, I forgot about that first confirmation dialog. The one I was describing displays after Firefox shuts down, as it starts up again.

It's been fine for a while but, today, the problem started again. I don't have adblock or anything like that installed. It works under IE so it must be a Firefox problem.

I really don't want to have to change browsers just to contact an eBay seller - come on, fix it please!

I use Windows 7 btw so if there are any instructions, please bear this in mind. Thanks

Did you ever get it work in Firefox's Safe Mode?

Hi

It did not resolve my problem, but I think it's just me. I'm really not good with computers. Thank you for trying. But I'm probably doing something wrong.

Hi ELR1, I wasn't sure if you change your name to hazeuk or if that's someone else...

Did we ever consider cookies? Many users have recently become more aware of privacy and either made changes to their cookie settings or installed extensions that stop some information from reaching websites. In particular, "third party" cookies. While this reduces tracking in some cases, where information needs to pass between sites to make them work, it can cause some site functions to break.

As a test, try using eBay in a Private Browsing window. This will help bypass restrictive cookie settings (If you are in Firefox's Safe Mode, it also will turn off any extensions that might be modifying cookies).

You can open a private browsing window using either:

• Ctrl+Shift+p
• File menu > New Private Window
• orange Firefox button > New Private Window

In that window, try eBay. Any difference?

No jscher2000 - we're different people with a common problem lol

Opening in the private window didn't work - eBay still won't accept the confirmation numbers.

It was working yesterday but today it's not - can't imagine that there were any more cookies today.

Still, IE works so I guess that's where I go next.

Hi hazeuk, websites often update in small ways that we don't notice, and Firefox may hang onto obsolete files or cookies, which can create little glitches. For that reason, when you have a new 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

orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced

On the Network mini-tab > Cached Web Content : "Clear Now"

If you have a large hard drive, this might take a few minutes.

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

• right-click and choose View Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
• Alt+t (open the classic Tools menu) > Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"

In the dialog that opens, you can remove the site's cookies individually.

Then try reloading the page. Does that help?

However, point #2 might not be applicable if eBay's CAPTCHA is served by a different server. I haven't checked.

Thank you for trying so hard to help but clearing cache, cookies and eBay cookies didn't solve the problem either.

Hi hazeuk, I don't use eBay, so it's hard to make more detailed suggestions. In some cases, there are settings that don't come to mind but which we know are causing the problem based on a "new profile" test. This take a few minutes.

A new profile will have your system-installed plugins (e.g., Flash) and extensions (e.g., security suite toolbars), but no themes, other extensions, or other customizations. It also should have completely fresh settings databases and a fresh cache folder.

Here's how to do the test:

Exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager using Start > search box (or Run):

firefox.exe -P

Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.

You'll click the Create Profile button. Please use the default location suggested, and don't click the button to choose a different folder. Then start Firefox in the new profile you created.

You will need to go to eBay and log in again. Does the CAPTCHA work any better?

When returning to your regular profile, when you load the Profile Manager, you might be tempted to use the Delete Profile button. But... it's a bit too easy to accidentally delete your "real" profile, so I recommend resisting the temptation. If you do want to clean up later, I suggest making a backup of all your profiles first in case something were to go wrong.