This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Unable to open email attachments

more options

I use Firefox as the browser for my email. Recently I have been unable to open or download pdf attachments (or any attachment) to emails. When I click on the attachment I get the message javascript:void(0).

I contacted the email company who said there was no problem at their end and that the problem was with Firefox and pop up blockers. I followed the advice in the attachment to unblock for my email account - but this did not solve the problem.

So I then tried Edge for my emails and I can open attachments in Edge.

So the problem is with Firefox.

Any advice please? Thanks

I use Firefox as the browser for my email. Recently I have been unable to open or download pdf attachments (or any attachment) to emails. When I click on the attachment I get the message javascript:void(0). I contacted the email company who said there was no problem at their end and that the problem was with Firefox and pop up blockers. I followed the advice in the attachment to unblock for my email account - but this did not solve the problem. So I then tried Edge for my emails and I can open attachments in Edge. So the problem is with Firefox. Any advice please? Thanks
Attached screenshots

All Replies (13)

more options

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.

more options

May I suggest: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/ Thunderbird is a free email application that’s easy to set up and customize - and it’s loaded with great features!

Thunderbird Support Forum https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/thunderbird

New question link: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/new/thunderbird/form

more options

Hi FredMcD

Thanks for your prompt response, but the suggestions did not work unfortunately (eg switching on and off advanced tracking protection).

Since I have made no other changes, some update of Firefox must have been the cause of this (ie unable to open and download attachements to emails

When I use another browser (eg Edge) there is no problem

Thanks

D

more options

In FF Settings/ General/ Applications .... at least confirm the right Apps are selected; Same in Windows/ Apps/ Default Apps by File Type.

more options

Thanks CraigS26

Settings/ General/ Applications .... the right Apps were already selected;

Same in Windows/ Apps/ Default Apps by File Type... ditto

So this was not the cause of the problem either

D

more options

What email service are you using? Did you try Firefox in Safe Mode? https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/diagnose-firefox-issues-using-troubleshoot-mode#search

more options

Thanks jonzn4SUSE

What email service are you using? Bluetiehome. But that is not the problem since I can open attachments if I open Bluetiehome in Edge. The problem is with Firefox over the past couple of weeks

Did you try Firefox in Safe Mode? Yes I tried this and it makes no difference

I could switch to Edge but Firefox was useful for a small number of irregularly used email accounts I have so would like to see if this problem can be fixed

Thx for the suggestions

D

more options

FredMcD said

May I suggest: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/ Thunderbird is a free email application that’s easy to set up and customize - and it’s loaded with great features!
more options

Hi FredMcD

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look at it.

But I am used to Bluetiehome which used to be Excite, so It looks as though I will have to use Bluetiehome with Edge from now on

Thanks everyone for your kind suggestions

D

more options

Okay. I'm curious, so let me create an account and see what happens.

more options

Scratch that idea... It's not free!

more options

Showing javascript:void(0) on hover is a placeholder (you see the href attribute). The actual action is done via a JavaScript onclick event handler. If nothing happens if you click such a link then this usually means that JavaScript is blocked.

What does the Inspector show if you this tool via the right-click context menu ? Is there an event label appended ?

You can right-click and select "Inspect" to open the built-in Inspector with this element selected.

Are you using any content blocking extensions or only built-in Enhanced Tracking Protection ?

more options

Thanks for trying jonzn4SUSE. Excite was free and I used it for 25 years, but it was recently taken over by Bluetiehome which charges a fee.

Thanks cor-el. Unfortunately my computer skills are not up to understanding most of your email, but as far as I know I am not using any content blocking extensions, only built-in Enhanced Tracking Protection

David