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Please Stop Sanitizing My PDF Downloads

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When I download a document from an email or a website, I receive a message that Firefox has successfully "sanitized" the document. Then I discover that the hyperlinks, such as an RSVP, no longer work. How can I stop Firefox from destroying hyperlinks?

When I download a document from an email or a website, I receive a message that Firefox has successfully "sanitized" the document. Then I discover that the hyperlinks, such as an RSVP, no longer work. How can I stop Firefox from destroying hyperlinks?

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Hi LINDAHENKE1, I've never heard of Firefox sanitizing a downloaded file. Do you have any add-ons installed that might be making the changes?

You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. On the right side, find the "Manage Your Extensions" heading.

If there is at least one extension before the next heading -- "Recommended Extensions" -- please continue:

Scan down your list -- anything related to downloading, security, or privacy?

Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything you don't remember installing should be disabled or removed. For your privacy and security, don't let mystery programs linger here.


If nothing seems to be relevant, could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? In its Safe Mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, any userChrome.css/userContent.css files, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. (On Mac, hold down the option/alt key instead of the Shift key.)

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement?