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Can't save/download or upload files

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 14 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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All of a sudden Firefox has ceased to react when I'm trying to download a file/save a page. When I click Cmd+S or File → Save page as…, nothing happens. When I try to open an upload dialogue, a solid gray window appears, and that's it. Uploading files through drag&drop interface works fine.

The problem seemingly appeared after migrating from a Mac Mini to a Macbook Air (both M1). I've already tried to restart the laptop and refresh Firefox — to no avail.

Is there anything else I could try to do?

All of a sudden Firefox has ceased to react when I'm trying to download a file/save a page. When I click Cmd+S or File → Save page as…, nothing happens. When I try to open an upload dialogue, a solid gray window appears, and that's it. Uploading files through drag&drop interface works fine. The problem seemingly appeared after migrating from a Mac Mini to a Macbook Air (both M1). I've already tried to restart the laptop and refresh Firefox — to no avail. Is there anything else I could try to do?

All Replies (3)

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Is this with all websites/pages, some, a few?

shlema said

The problem seemingly appeared after migrating from a Mac Mini to a Macbook Air

Let’s do a full clean re-install;

Note: Firefox comes in three or more folders on all computers. They are;

Maintenance: (Programs Folder) <Windows Only> Firefox itself: (Programs Folder) And two folders in the profile of each user on the computer for each Firefox profile for that user.

If you remove the Firefox folder, the user profiles would not be affected.


Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link}

Firefox ESR; Extended Support Release {web link}

Beta, Developer, Nightly versions https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/channel/desktop/

Install Older Version Of Firefox {web link} Be sure to read everything here.


Save the file. Then Close Firefox.

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Note: Check Both Folders

Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

Linux: Check your user manual. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux

If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Look for, and remove any Mozilla or Firefox program folders. Do not remove the Mozilla Thunderbird folder if there is one.

Do Not remove any profile folders.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. Then run the installer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.

How to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; {web link} Free Online Encyclopedia

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Thanks, FredMcD! Done all that, but to no avail, sadly.

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Make sure you are not blocking content.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop also see https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2021/03/23/introducing-smartblock/

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/smartblock-enhanced-tracking-protection


Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot(Safe) Mode {web link}

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Troubleshoot(Safe) Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?


Many site issues can be caused by corrupt cookies or cache.

Warning ! ! This will log you out of sites you're logged in to. You may also lose any settings for that website.