when opening an external link a new window opens and displays the homepage
Updated to the latest version (Linux 36.0) and now whenever I open a link from an external application be it steam email IRC or any other source, instead of the page being displayed a new window will open and then load the home page. I have tried switching the default browser to something else (which opened the links correctly) and back again, safe mode and even a refresh but the problem still persists.
Chosen solution
I found this in the bug tracker.
Apparently this seems to be a problem with an old hack in XFCE or possibly X-based desktop environments in general, which is no longer supported in Firefox 36. A quick workaround until they fix it, is to open a new terminal and enter:
sudo gedit /usr/share/xfce4/helpers/firefox.desktop (replace gedit with any other text editor that you use) ...and change the final two lines: X-XFCE-Commands=%B -remote "openURL(about:blank,new-window)";%B; X-XFCE-CommandsWithParameter=%B -remote "openURL(%s)";%B %s; to read: X-XFCE-Commands=%B; X-XFCE-CommandsWithParameter=%B %s; and save the document, of course.
This solved the problem for me immediately.
Read this answer in context 👍 3All Replies (6)
Some have had issues with Ghostery. Please disable the add-on, then restart Firefox.
Type about:addons<Enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac:<Command>)<Shift> A)
FredMcD said
Some have had issues with Ghostery. Please disable the add-on, then restart Firefox. Type about:addons<Enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac:<Command>)<Shift> A)
As stated in my previous reply I have tried running firefox with all plugins disabled but this did not have any affect on the issue
Type about:preferences#general<Enter> in the address bar.
Under Tabs, check the settings.
I've called the big guys to help you. Good luck.
FredMcD said
Type about:preferences#general<Enter> in the address bar. Under Tabs, check the settings.
I've called the big guys to help you. Good luck.
Thank you for your time and input anyway, I've had a look at the settings but don't see anything that might cause this problem, looks like this might be a bug. Hopefully the 'big guys' will be able to help me out.
Modified by paul9115
Chosen Solution
I found this in the bug tracker.
Apparently this seems to be a problem with an old hack in XFCE or possibly X-based desktop environments in general, which is no longer supported in Firefox 36. A quick workaround until they fix it, is to open a new terminal and enter:
sudo gedit /usr/share/xfce4/helpers/firefox.desktop (replace gedit with any other text editor that you use) ...and change the final two lines: X-XFCE-Commands=%B -remote "openURL(about:blank,new-window)";%B; X-XFCE-CommandsWithParameter=%B -remote "openURL(%s)";%B %s; to read: X-XFCE-Commands=%B; X-XFCE-CommandsWithParameter=%B %s; and save the document, of course.
This solved the problem for me immediately.
Andy_D said
I found this in the bug tracker. Apparently this seems to be a problem with an old hack in XFCE or possibly X-based desktop environments in general, which is no longer supported in Firefox 36. A quick workaround until they fix it, is to open a new terminal and enter: sudo gedit /usr/share/xfce4/helpers/firefox.desktop (replace gedit with any other text editor that you use) ...and change the final two lines: X-XFCE-Commands=%B -remote "openURL(about:blank,new-window)";%B; X-XFCE-CommandsWithParameter=%B -remote "openURL(%s)";%B %s; to read: X-XFCE-Commands=%B; X-XFCE-CommandsWithParameter=%B %s; and save the document, of course. This solved the problem for me immediately.
That cured it immediately, strange how every other update has worked as expected until this one. Thanks a lot for the help I appreciate it!