JavaScript settings and preferences for interactive web pages

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This article describes what JavaScript® is and how to allow or block it on certain websites.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a standard programming language that can be included in web pages to provide functionality such as menus, sounds, and other interactive features. By default, Firefox enables the use of JavaScript and requires no additional installation.

Allow and block JavaScript on certain domains

JavaScript can be used to do things that some people don't like. For better control, you can find and install JavaScript extensions or privacy extensions that let you disable JavaScript, such as these add-ons:

  • NoScript: allows JavaScript and other content to run only on websites of your choice.
  • Ghostery: allows you to block scripts from companies that you don't trust.
Note: Some websites use JavaScript for functions such as "on hover" drop-down menus, which may not work in Firefox on touch-screen computers. A solution is to disable the "HID-compliant touch screen" setting in Windows Device Manager (visit a Windows forum if you need more help); however, this solution will effectively change the touch screen into a plain screen while disabled.

Websites ask you to enable JavaScript

Websites may tell you that JavaScript is required or ask you to make sure that JavaScript is enabled, even though you don't want JavaScript to be blocked. Turn off any settings to disable JavaScript in your installed extensions or try disabling your extensions to see if you can find the problem. You should contact the developer or visit the website for the add-on, to get help with a specific extension.

For advanced users

Warning: These instructions are for experienced Firefox users. Changing settings in the Configuration Editor (about:config) can have serious effects on your browser’s stability, security and performance.
Only proceed if you are comfortable with advanced settings and understand the potential impacts.
JavaScript may be disabled for all websites in Advanced Preferences (about:config page). You can confirm that JavaScript is enabled or reset the preference as follows:

  1. Type about:config in the address bar and press EnterReturn.
    A warning page may appear. Click Accept the Risk and Continue to go to the about:config page.
  2. Find the javascript.enabled preference. It should be set to true by default.
  3. If javascript.enabled is set to false, click the Toggle Fx71aboutconfig-ToggleButton or Reset Fx71aboutconfig-ResetButton button to set it back to true.

JavaScript is a trademark or registered trademark of Oracle Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

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These fine people helped write this article:

AliceWyman, Chris Ilias, cor-el, Michael Verdi, Ricky Rosario, Irvin Chen, scoobidiver, Gingerbread Man, Swarnava Sengupta, user669794, scootergrisen
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