New York Times fails to work on Firefox
18 July 2023 My longstanding NYTimes account started having problems with Firefox the past few days: the NYT web page loads OK on my Windows 10 notebook, but after browsing to an article or 2, I'm challenged by the usual 'I am not a robot' Capcha. When I click on the proper images, then Submit, it repeats the challenge anew, time after time. A call to the NYT webpage help line got me a person who said 'Use another browser, we're having increasing problems with Firefox.' I noted that the NYT Wirecutter and Cooking options both work OK, but she asserted those will eventually fail too, using FF I asked her to suggest the best browser, she recommended Chrome. What can be done? I've been using FF for the past 20 years and support Mozilla w regular $$. I've tried clearing the cache, allowing pop-ups for their site, and I use no Extensions or Add-ons. Help! Windows 10, latest updates, FF 115.0.2
All Replies (3)
You can check for issues with Total Cookie Protection.
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/total-cookie-protection-and-website-breakage-faq
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/introducing-total-cookie-protection-standard-mode
If you use extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) that can block content (Adblock Plus, NoScript, DuckDuckGo PE, Disconnect, Ghostery, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin) always make sure such extensions do not block content.
- make sure your extensions and filters are updated to the latest version
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems
Firefox shows a purple shield instead of a gray shield at the left end of the location/address bar in case Enhanced Tracking Protection is blocking content.
- click the shield icon for more detail and possibly disable the protection
You can check the Web Console for relevant-looking messages about blocked content.
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/smartblock-enhanced-tracking-protection
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/trackers-and-scripts-firefox-blocks-enhanced-track
You can try these steps in case of issues with webpages:
You can reload webpage(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.
- hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
- press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
- press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)
Clear the Cache and remove the Cookies for websites that cause problems via the "3-bar" Firefox menu button (Settings).
"Remove the Cookies" for websites that cause problems:
- Settings -> Privacy & Security
Cookies and Site Data: "Manage Data"
"Clear the Cache":
- Settings -> Privacy & Security
Cookies and Site Data -> Clear Data -> [X] Cached Web Content -> Clear
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/clear-cookies-and-site-data-firefox
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-clear-firefox-cache
Start Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration or if userChrome.css/userContent.css is causing the problem.
- switch to the Default System theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Themes
- do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Troubleshoot Mode start window
Firefox enters into an infinite loop with the puzzle CAPTCHA at https://nytimes.com login. Authentication is impossible. Other browsers work fine, so this is a FireFox 119.0.1 bug.
Does it still happen in a new profile? An easy way to test a new profile is to install Developer Edition and see if it happens there or refresh your existing profile.