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Cannot use "Space Bar" on YouTube search bar - Space instead unwantingly plays/pauses video

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Paul

chrisalmith
chrisalmith
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While the YouTube search bar is focused, I am able to type characters, but anytime I type a character that the video player uses, the corresponding function is invoked. For example, if I type a "k" into the search bar, the video will pause or play, while also typing a "k." More strangely, If I try to type a space into the YouTube search bar, no space is added to the search string, but the video will play/pause.

It almost appears as if Firefox is stuck on focusing the video. I've tried deleting cookies and cache to no avail.

This issue doesn't exist at all in Chrome, and I really don't want to change my default browser over something so small.

While the YouTube search bar is focused, I am able to type characters, but anytime I type a character that the video player uses, the corresponding function is invoked. For example, if I type a "k" into the search bar, the video will pause or play, while also typing a "k." More strangely, If I try to type a space into the YouTube search bar, no space is added to the search string, but the video will play/pause. It almost appears as if Firefox is stuck on focusing the video. I've tried deleting cookies and cache to no avail. This issue doesn't exist at all in Chrome, and I really don't want to change my default browser over something so small.

Chosen solution

Hi

Thank you for flagging up this issue.

YouTube have looked into this and will be correcting the issue shortly.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (2)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Looks like a YouTube bug where JavaScript always interprets a space bar press as play/pause and doesn't disable this action when an input field has focus.

See also:

A possible workaround for now is to place this character on the clipboard (i.e. type a space and select it and copy the space to the clipboard) and paste the clipboard content when you need to enter this character. You can possibly use the location bar to get this character on the clipboard.

Paul
Paul
  • Top 25 Contributor
  • Moderator
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Chosen Solution

Hi

Thank you for flagging up this issue.

YouTube have looked into this and will be correcting the issue shortly.