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Firefox quantum is not loading recaptcha for many sites now - I am facing this problem with FT.com, Airfrance.com, etc

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Since the last two weeks, it seems Firefox Quantum (68.0) is not able to load reCaptcha in login pages of multiple websites. Specifically, I am struggling with FT.com and AirFrance.com over this period. I had to get FT.com to disable recaptcha for my account to be able to use it with firefox browser.

Quantum is breaking too many things.

Since the last two weeks, it seems Firefox Quantum (68.0) is not able to load reCaptcha in login pages of multiple websites. Specifically, I am struggling with FT.com and AirFrance.com over this period. I had to get FT.com to disable recaptcha for my account to be able to use it with firefox browser. Quantum is breaking too many things.

Chosen solution

Whoops, I missed your last reply.

xsupratim said

"Testing in Firefox's Safe Mode" Okay, this works - ... So, the question is what is blocking reCaptcha from loading along with the site and is reCaptcha now including tracking information? Hence, being blocked by Privacy Badger or Traces?

Usually when it works in Safe Mode, one of your extensions is blocking it. Which one? I don't know. If their toolbar buttons do not list any Google domains as being blocked (and let you make exceptions), then perhaps their documentation can point you to how to investigate that.

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All Replies (8)

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Hi xsupratim, perhaps the Content Blocking setting ratcheted up during the update??

If a site is generally known to work in Firefox, these are standard suggestions to try when it stops working normally:

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

(A) Do you see a shield icon toward the left end of the address bar, near the lock icon? More info on managing the Tracking Protection feature in this article: Content Blocking.

(B) Extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix should provide toolbar buttons 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 may 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

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 (on Mac Ctrl+click) a blank area of the page and choose View Page Info > Security > "Clear Cookies and Site Data"
  • (menu bar) Tools > Page Info > Security > "Clear Cookies and Site Data"
  • click the padlock or "i" icon in the address bar, then the ">" button, then More Information, and finally the "Clear Cookies and Site Data" button

In the dialog that opens, you will see one or more matches to the current address so you can remove the site's cookies individually without affecting other sites.

Then try reloading the page. Does that help?

Testing in Firefox's Safe Mode: In its Safe Mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

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.)

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

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

Any improvement?

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Thanks much for that collection of tips to check what is wrong.

I do have content blocking set at custom within Firefox to block trackers - why would that interfere with reCaptcha?

I don't know if this helps - but cdns.gigya.com is blocked by Privacy Badger, while cdn.optimizely.com is blocked by Firefox (from the shield information) - this is for Airfrance.com

The Airfrance.com site runs properly on Edge, with the reCaptcha showing up.

This reCaptcha thing is breaking multiple sites, where the site may choose to run it in the background and use it only for some logins.

Thanks

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This is a typical message for such sites when you use Firefox Quantum -

"Could not connect to the reCAPTCHA service. Please check your internet connection and reload to get a reCAPTCHA challenge."

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"Testing in Firefox's Safe Mode"

Okay, this works - I am able to log into AirFrance.com site with all the add-ons disabled. However, I don't see the shield icon for Firefox also, even though custom blocking is still on.

So, the question is what is blocking reCaptcha from loading along with the site and is reCaptcha now including tracking information? Hence, being blocked by Privacy Badger or Traces?

Any help would be appreciated. Going back to add-on mode now.

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I don't know how to get to the screen with the challenge on FT or Airfrance.

What if you try this link (GoDaddy whois query for mozilla.org has a reCAPTCHA interstitial):

https://www.godaddy.com/whois/results.aspx?domain=mozilla.org

(Screenshot attached)

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Chosen Solution

Whoops, I missed your last reply.

xsupratim said

"Testing in Firefox's Safe Mode" Okay, this works - ... So, the question is what is blocking reCaptcha from loading along with the site and is reCaptcha now including tracking information? Hence, being blocked by Privacy Badger or Traces?

Usually when it works in Safe Mode, one of your extensions is blocking it. Which one? I don't know. If their toolbar buttons do not list any Google domains as being blocked (and let you make exceptions), then perhaps their documentation can point you to how to investigate that.

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Thank you, let me check it out - if Privacy Badger or Traces is blocking a google domain.

But, the issue remains - is reCaptcha now also being used as a tracker or are these blockers falsely identifying it as a tracker. I did some search on this topic but can't find any relevant information.

Thanks again.

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xsupratim said

But, the issue remains - is reCaptcha now also being used as a tracker or are these blockers falsely identifying it as a tracker. I did some search on this topic but can't find any relevant information.

reCAPTCHA is governed by Google's privacy policies and terms of use. That's all I know.