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RECAPTCHA - still not working on Firefox

Annie Stratton
Annie Stratton
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Several sites I use regularly (for instance, The Guardian) use recaptcha as part of the login process. It fails on Firefox, though I can log in on Chrome. I dislike Chrome, and prefer Firefox for several reasons, including that it is easier on my eyes. I note that there are many complaints describing the same thing that I experience: recaptcha fails to load, or there is simply a blue circle turning in perpetuity with nothing happening. I have removed recent cookies etc, but no change.

There are some sites that use recapcha that I can sign in on using Firefox with no problem. I am wondering if there are different versions of captcha? This started the same week both Microsoft and Firefox updated. Firefox has updated several times since then, but recaptcha is still nonfunctional: FF is not loading it, at least on some critical sites (perhaps the ones that use the most recent recaptcha?

I have reported this frequently for last several months. I notice that this is a continuing problem for many people. Why is it not fixed?

Several sites I use regularly (for instance, The Guardian) use recaptcha as part of the login process. It fails on Firefox, though I can log in on Chrome. I dislike Chrome, and prefer Firefox for several reasons, including that it is easier on my eyes. I note that there are many complaints describing the same thing that I experience: recaptcha fails to load, or there is simply a blue circle turning in perpetuity with nothing happening. I have removed recent cookies etc, but no change. There are some sites that use recapcha that I can sign in on using Firefox with no problem. I am wondering if there are different versions of captcha? This started the same week both Microsoft and Firefox updated. Firefox has updated several times since then, but recaptcha is still nonfunctional: FF is not loading it, at least on some critical sites (perhaps the ones that use the most recent recaptcha? I have reported this frequently for last several months. I notice that this is a continuing problem for many people. Why is it not fixed?

All Replies (2)

cor-el
cor-el
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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Malwarebytes Browser Guard has been reported to cause issues with reCAPTCHA, so you can check that.

Helpful?

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Hi Annie, where do you see a blue circle turning? I get the popup in the attached. After doing two images, then there is a circle turning in the Sign on button for about 5-10 seconds (I didn't time it) before I'm returned to the page where I clicked Sign In.

Here's my general advice on fixing a site that is generally known to work in Firefox:

Double-check content blockers: Firefox's Tracking Protection feature, and extensions that counter ads and tracking, may break websites that embed third party content (meaning, from a secondary server).

(A) The shield icon toward the left end of the address bar usually turns a bit purplish when content is blocked. Click the icon to learn more or turn it off for the current site. See: Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox for desktop.

(B) Extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix may block required elements on a site. Usually you can find a toolbar button for each add-on 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 sometimes need to click the button to see what's going on and test whether you need to make an exception for this site.

Cache and Cookies: 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 (only select Cached web content, don't clear all cookies and site data)

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, click the lock icon at the left end of the address bar. After a moment, a "Clear Cookies and Site Data" button should appear at the bottom. Go ahead and click that. Firefox will ask you to confirm; go ahead and confirm.

Then try reloading the page. Does that help?

Testing in Firefox's Troubleshoot Mode: In this mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, any userChrome.css/userContent.css files, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is running:

You can restart Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > Help > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)

and OK the restart. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

If Firefox is not running:

Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. (On Mac, hold down the option/alt key instead of the Shift key.) A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

Note: Don't use the Refresh without first reviewing this article to understand what will be deleted: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings.

Any improvement?

Helpful?

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