I think it's the autoplay block. When I first load the YouTube home page, hovering doesn't really do anything. The autoplay block icon is next to the lock in the address bar. If I go to a video page and play a video, THEN load the home using the YouTube Logo in the upper left corner, at that point, the home page items are interactive.

You could use the toolbar icon to Allow audio and video on YouTube, since it generally is playing content you want. This is different from the endless playlist behavior that YouTube calls Autoplay; Firefox doesn't block that either way.

Thanks for the reply. The autoplay doesn't seem to be the solution, but I believe you are correct in that it is a firefox issue.

Oh, I think you're right, most people do not block both audio AND video. If I only block audio (which I think is the default setting), it works normally the way you want without having to make adjustments.

So why is yours different? I don't know whether you are seeing a YouTube experiment, or whether it's a conflicting setting or add-on. I'm not seeing new threads on this yet.

Well I must retract my conclusion. I rechecked using the Edge browser and it is also now reporting problems from the youtube website. So, it is not just Firefox.

.....😶

Boot the computer into Windows Safe Mode with network support to see if that has effect.

• https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto.../how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/
• https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10/

Thanks for replying. I tried the safe mode suggestion, but it had no effect. Problem is still the same.

UPDATE: I found a workaround. When first coming to the Youtube home page, the thumbnail controls will not be available. The solution is to open one thumbnail into a new tab. Once that video is activated, the controls on all the thumbnails become available.

I don't know if this is a Firefox, youtube or windows 10 problem. My guess is the three are just out of sync in their coding.

Hope this helps someone else.......😁