when trying to save a file, no file dialog appears
The last 2 weeks, often when I want to save a file --- any file, eg an image, I right-click "save image as" and then wait for a file dialog to ask where to save, then nothing, no matter how long I wait.
If I exit Firefox and restart it it may work normally for a while, i.e., the dialog appears, but soon the same problem comes back. This is of course infuriating when you have gone through some tedious procedure, typed a captcha, a password, etc, etc before a website allows you to save a file.
The other r-click options work -- I can open a file with an application, I can even use "DownThem All", but Firefox's own save dialog is unusable. Firefox 27.01 on XP
Modified by AlanHK
All Replies (8)
so firefox save feature isn't working, check if u have any external download manager like idm, etc. Those program take over firefox internal download manger and other plugins may affect. Try to reinstalling it and disabling any other software interfere with firefox. BEFORE u go backup your bookmarks and data over firefox sync this will must work. Hope it helps. Most of the problem fix by reinstalling ;) Thanks.
I think clearing out the cached web content works for allowing you to save images again.
You can check it DTA or another extension isn't causing this problem.
Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.
- Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
- Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
It is very difficult to test this since it often doesn't happen for hours of use and can usually be fixed (temporarily) by restarting with no changes. So if I restart in safe mode without the problem it doesn't prove or diagnose anything.
When this condition appears I also cannot upload files, as that also requires the file dialogue. And with save plugins I can only choose the default saving location, cannot choose a new one.
Just happened again .
"I think clearing out the cached web content works for allowing you to save images again."
Tried it, didn't work.
And with save plugins I can only choose the default saving location
What plugin are you talking about?
See if this helps;
"What plugin are you talking about?"
- Firefox's own save dialog
- Any plugin that asks me to set the destination using a file dialog. If I can type in a directory that will work.
- Any web page that asks me to upload a file (e.g. attach an image to a forum post) also fails, since I can't choose any files on my PC.
The important thing is that it's intermittent and usually goes away on restart. All the suggestions made address a permanent condition.
And that continued to intermittently happen while you were running in the Firefox SafeMode for an extended period of time?
If that is the case, it might be time to consider a Reset of Firefox to default. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/reset-firefox-easily-fix-most-problems