Media keys don't really work
So, I use Fn + F7 which should stop or play the last active audio source.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it just refuses to work for one site at time, while the others work fine. So, for example, I have site x which plays audio, and site y which played audio some time ago, both windows open. Sometimes medias keys work as supposed, sometimes it doesn't work for site x for no apparent reason while it works for site y, or vice versa.
To get it to work, I have to spam it, move the tab around to the front (sometimes it works, it seems it gets priority, but it could be just coincidence) or completely close the tab and open another one with the same site. Whatever's causing this, it seems to be random, but it seems to be caused the most when having multiple tabs that can play audio, but not exclusively.
I just switched to Firefox and I don't really want to switch back, so it'd be great if any assistance is offered. On my last browser this wasn't the case.
This is what I've tried to solve the problem, but didn't work: - Go to about:preferences and turn off and then back on media.hardwaremediakeys.enabled - Open your Firefox settings (about:preferences); Uncheck Control media via keyboard, headset, or virtual interface. It is at the end of the page; Restart Firefox; Check that setting again
Additional information:
- Here's the site that causes me trouble the most (this is a YouTube playlist loader for big playlists): https://youtube-playlist-randomizer.bitbucket.io/
- I use Windows 11
All Replies (5)
321093798057623, I think that the global media keys control whatever the last active compatible media source was?
For me, if site X and site Y are both open in Firefox and Site X's player is currently being controlled by the global media keys, then I can make site Y's player the 'last active' by pressing the player's own play / pause key (for example space in many media players), or by clicking on the player, to initiate a play / pause.
Once this direct play / pause has been carried out, then the system now considers site Y's player to be the last active media source and the global media keys subsequently work with it.
Simply changing tabs so that site Y is now onscreen does not make it's media player the 'last active'.
Does it work like this for you?
TechHorse said
321093798057623, I think that the global media keys control whatever the last active compatible media source was? For me, if site X and site Y are both open in Firefox and Site X's player is currently being controlled by the global media keys, then I can make site Y's player the 'last active' by pressing the player's own play / pause key (for example space in many media players), or by clicking on the player, to initiate a play / pause. Once this direct play / pause has been carried out, then the system now considers site Y's player to be the last active media source and the global media keys subsequently work with it. Simply changing tabs so that site Y is now onscreen does not make it's media player the 'last active'. Does it work like this for you?
Yes, it works exactly like this. That doesn't answer anything though since I've been doing this to set priority, but it doesn't seem to work all that great for some reason here.
If you are directly initiating playback in the tab but this is not causing the media keys to change focus, then I wonder if some sort of app with the ability to prevent the focus from changing is at work?
Do you use any other apps that work with media keys besides Firefox? Are they running at the time you encounter problems?
Another possibility is of course some error within Firefox, such as one caused by an add-on. Have you tested in Troubleshoot Mode? (this can be activated from the Help menu)
TechHorse said
If you are directly initiating playback in the tab but this is not causing the media keys to change focus, then I wonder if some sort of app with the ability to prevent the focus from changing is at work? Do you use any other apps that work with media keys besides Firefox? Are they running at the time you encounter problems? Another possibility is of course some error within Firefox, such as one caused by an add-on. Have you tested in Troubleshoot Mode? (this can be activated from the Help menu)
I have a lot of the times open my work software that have a playback system—i.e., digital audio workstations and post production software. They don't work with media keys when minimized—I have to have them active on my screen for keys to work. However, I cannot recall if it was more prevalent when I had the software open as oppose when it was only the browser. But if there are indeed other apps that cause this, how come it didn't happen on the other browser.
Regarding extensions, if it's of any use, here are all of them: - ProtonMail unofficial—Forked local extension - Bitwarden Password Manager - Dark Reader - Simple Translate - Malwarebytes Browser Guard - Return YouTube Dislike - uBlock Origin - SoundFixer (Volume, mono, pan) - Checker Plus for Google Calendar™ - Unhook - Remove YouTube Recommended & Shorts - Gemini next to Google results - Open Tabs Next to Current PLUS
Overall, now I have more leads on what may cause the problem. So far, since yesterday evening, I haven't encountered this issue. Only time will tell if it still exists or I somehow solved it. Also, thanks for the idea of using troubleshoot mode, I'll definitely try that if it re-appears.
By the way, thanks for the support.
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