Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Using Firefox, I cannot delete a Yahoo email when the specific email is open. I can delete the email from my inbox when the email is not open.

more options

This problem just started today and prior to today I used to be able to delete an open email.

This problem just started today and prior to today I used to be able to delete an open email.

All Replies (3)

more options

Could you describe the problem in more detail. For example:

  • Does Yahoo display an error when you try to delete the message
  • Does clicking the delete icon simply do nothing
  • Did the icon to delete the message disappear from above the message

Some general advice...

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) Bypass Firefox's Cache

Use Ctrl+Shift+r to reload the page fresh from the server.

Alternately, you also can clear Firefox's cache completely using:

"3-bar" menu 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"
  • (menu bar) Tools > Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
  • click the padlock or globe icon in the address bar > More Information > "View Cookies"

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

Then try reloading the page. Does that help?

more options

Does Yahoo display an error when you try to delete the message - 'NO'

Does clicking the delete icon simply do nothing - No, it appears as though it deleted the message and takes me back to my Inbox and the message is still there.  I have to delete the same message from the Inbox to get rid of it.
Did the icon to delete the message disappear from above the message .  I don't know as I was taken back to my Inbox.

This was all done after I had cleared the cash and removed all Cookies. The problem still existed. I do not have the same problem when accessing email from Internet Explorer.

more options

Hi beerstud, I can't replicate the problem. When I delete a message using the trash can above the message, it is no longer listed in the Inbox and if I reload the page, it doesn't come back.

Occasionally, users have strange issues with Yahoo mail that are caused by using an old bookmark or home page link; Yahoo sometimes has trouble redirecting to the new preferred server. Does it make any difference if you start from mail.yahoo.com or if it's AT&T Yahoo, the mail link on the main page?

Assuming the problem still occurs, could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Does deleting work in Safe Mode?