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v50.0.2: *all* left-clicked download links appear not to start at all - but actually files are SILENTLY downloaded as .part to temp folder

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  • Last reply by sydneyfife

sydneyfife
sydneyfife
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Since a few hours ago, any download links I left-click are not processed as expected:

- there is no indication that a download link was clicked at all, i.e. no confirmation, no dialog box to choose the destination folder, etc.

- the downloads DO start though, files are downloaded SILENTLY to Temp folder (C:\Users\***\AppData\Local\Temp) as .part files (and remain there when download is complete)

- this is the case on any website downloads I've tried

- the library has no record that any files were downloaded

- there is also no indication for a download being completed

- downloaded files are intact as far as I can tell (tested by renaming and extracting a .zip)

- however, RIGHT-clicking and choosing "save link as" works fine

- also, the download manager "downthemall" context menu items work fine (e.g. "save link with downthemall")

- ive also noticed that closing the tab the download originated from does not cancel the download, for that I have to close ff entirely


Steps taken so far:

- restarted ff

- restarted computer

- ran virus scan (avast), ran malwarebytes scan

- ran ff with all extensions disabled: same problem

- went through steps here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cant-download-or-save-files

- tried downloading files with different browser: worked fine

- tried downloading files with different ff profile: worked fine

- tried downloading files in ff safe mode: worked fine


...any ideas?

Since a few hours ago, any download links I left-click are not processed as expected: - there is no indication that a download link was clicked at all, i.e. no confirmation, no dialog box to choose the destination folder, etc. - the downloads DO start though, files are downloaded SILENTLY to Temp folder (C:\Users\***\AppData\Local\Temp) as .part files (and remain there when download is complete) - this is the case on any website downloads I've tried - the library has no record that any files were downloaded - there is also no indication for a download being completed - downloaded files are intact as far as I can tell (tested by renaming and extracting a .zip) - however, RIGHT-clicking and choosing "save link as" works fine - also, the download manager "downthemall" context menu items work fine (e.g. "save link with downthemall") - ive also noticed that closing the tab the download originated from does not cancel the download, for that I have to close ff entirely Steps taken so far: - restarted ff - restarted computer - ran virus scan (avast), ran malwarebytes scan - ran ff with all extensions disabled: same problem - went through steps here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cant-download-or-save-files - tried downloading files with different browser: worked fine - tried downloading files with different ff profile: worked fine - tried downloading files in ff safe mode: worked fine ...any ideas?

Modified by sydneyfife

Chosen solution

  • shrug*

I "resolved" this by backing up bookmarks, passwords and settings and migrating that stuff to a fresh profile ("refresh function"), as well as reinstalling and -configuring my extensions.

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sydneyfife
sydneyfife Question owner
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Chosen Solution

  • shrug*

I "resolved" this by backing up bookmarks, passwords and settings and migrating that stuff to a fresh profile ("refresh function"), as well as reinstalling and -configuring my extensions.

cor-el
cor-el
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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Note that if files are downloaded to the temp folder and aren't moved/renamed to the selected destination folder that your security software might be locking the file and prevent Firefox from copying the file.

It is possible that security software (anti-virus, firewall) is causing the problem. Try to disable security software temporarily to see if that makes a difference.

sydneyfife
sydneyfife Question owner
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cor-el said

Note that if files are downloaded to the temp folder and aren't moved/renamed to the selected destination folder that your security software might be locking the file and prevent Firefox from copying the file. It is possible that security software (anti-virus, firewall) is causing the problem. Try to disable security software temporarily to see if that makes a difference.


Ah, my apologies, I had actually already tried that as well before I even posted here - it did not help in my case, unfortunately.

Although, logically, this should not be something caused by security software either: why would it only have affected one single browser profile (of several) and one single browser (of several)?