Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

503 service temporarily unavailable

  • 1 reply
  • 3 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

mwlttm
mwlttm
more options

Since yesterday (12-December-2023) and continuing today (13-Dec-2023) when I attempt to use the search bar to answer a question eg "five letter words with three vowels" I receive the message 503 Service Temporarily Unavailable. I can enter Google and can then go to Google for a search.

Since yesterday (12-December-2023) and continuing today (13-Dec-2023) when I attempt to use the search bar to answer a question eg "five letter words with three vowels" I receive the message 503 Service Temporarily Unavailable. I can enter Google and can then go to Google for a search.

All Replies (1)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

What search bar is this about ? No issues with the search bar on the https://support.mozilla.org/ page ?

You can check the connection settings.

  • Settings -> General -> Network: Connection -> Settings

If you do not need to use a proxy to connect to internet, select "No Proxy" if "Use the system proxy settings" or one of the others do not work properly.

See "Firefox connection settings":

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You can reload webpage(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.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), click the padlock icon (Clear cookies and site data) for the domain in the selected tab.

"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

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

You can check for issues with Enhanced Tracking Protection. 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 like blocked content.