Can't download Gmail attachments in FF anymore; but can in other browsers.
I've been using FF since it came out and never had this problem. When I try to download files with Gmail in Firefox, they simply don't. Word, images, whatever. When I switch to Chrome they download. Pain in the butt to open a browser I rarely used to get my downloads. What's going on here, please? Version 57.0.4 (64-bit)
In fact, this problem may have only begun with this version. The timing would be about right.
Thanks.
Chosen solution
What happens when you try to download? I assume you click the little download arrow (screenshot example attached).
At that point, Firefox should send a request to this server:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?{attachment_parameters}
That server sends back a redirect to an address on this server:
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?{attachment_parameters}
And that triggers Firefox to either save the download or show the Open/Save/Cancel dialog. (Example screenshot attached.)
Could you make sure the redirect block is turned off:
(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button accepting the risk.
(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste access and pause while the list is filtered
(3) If the accessibility.blockautorefresh preference is bolded and "modified" or "user set" to true, double-click it to restore the default value of false
If that's not the problem, could you check for content blockers:
(1) Built-in Tracking Protection feature (especially in private windows).
Do you see a shield icon toward the left end of the toolbar when this problem hits? More info on how to use the shield to manage blocking: What happened to Tracking Protection?.
(2) Content blocking extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix.
Some of these provide toolbar buttons to manage blocked content in a page.
You can view, disable, and often configure or remove extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
- type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return
In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything that could be blocking content? If in doubt, disable.
Any improvement?
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Chosen Solution
What happens when you try to download? I assume you click the little download arrow (screenshot example attached).
At that point, Firefox should send a request to this server:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?{attachment_parameters}
That server sends back a redirect to an address on this server:
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?{attachment_parameters}
And that triggers Firefox to either save the download or show the Open/Save/Cancel dialog. (Example screenshot attached.)
Could you make sure the redirect block is turned off:
(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button accepting the risk.
(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste access and pause while the list is filtered
(3) If the accessibility.blockautorefresh preference is bolded and "modified" or "user set" to true, double-click it to restore the default value of false
If that's not the problem, could you check for content blockers:
(1) Built-in Tracking Protection feature (especially in private windows).
Do you see a shield icon toward the left end of the toolbar when this problem hits? More info on how to use the shield to manage blocking: What happened to Tracking Protection?.
(2) Content blocking extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix.
Some of these provide toolbar buttons to manage blocked content in a page.
You can view, disable, and often configure or remove extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
- type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return
In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything that could be blocking content? If in doubt, disable.
Any improvement?
It was the Adbusters addon that blocked downloads. I still use Adblock Plus and Adblocker for Facebook and have no problem.
Never would have occurred to me in a million years! Thank you!