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

why do I have to press the tab key to edit or enter data in firefox mac? (and how do I turn off this quirk?)

  • 2 cavab
  • 1 has this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by ideato

more options

to enter data in fields in forms and even in the search bar I have to press the tab key. If i do not press tab the silly mac beeps at me and won't let me type. I asked the mac geniuses and they blame firefox, guessing you guys will blame mac... but it is really annoying.

to enter data in fields in forms and even in the search bar I have to press the tab key. If i do not press tab the silly mac beeps at me and won't let me type. I asked the mac geniuses and they blame firefox, guessing you guys will blame mac... but it is really annoying.

All Replies (2)

more options

Hello,

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information.
Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.

Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

more options

Hello new_mac_user, see if the next works

  1. In the Location bar, type about:config and press Enter. The about:config "This might void your warranty!" warning page may appear.
  2. Click I'll be careful, I promise!, to continue to the about:config page.
  3. in search field type (or copy/paste from here) accessibility.tabfocus
  4. double-click on it and change the value to 4 (probably you have 1 the default on mac)
  5. click ok, exit firefox and restart it.

with the above you give focus to links (and linked images) only when you press the tab key.

see for more info : http://kb.mozillazine.org/Accessibility.tabfocus

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Preferences/Preference_reference/accessibility.tabfocus


thank you