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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

opening websites with Firefox

  • 7 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 56 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

danflester
danflester
more options

OK, this is a little funny. It used to be, if I wanted to open a website, I just clicked on the URL, and Firefox would open with it. Now (and I'm using 95.0.2 on iMac Big Sur), when I click on the the URL NOTHING HAPPENS if a Firefox window isn't already open. That is, you have to have a Firefox window already open in order for the website to appear. For example, in the Bookmark library, if a Firefox window isn't already open, clicking on a website there won't open it. You need to right click it and select OPEN. Now, Firefox is selected already as the default browser for the system.

How do I fix this? I mean, how do I get it back the way it used to be?

OK, this is a little funny. It used to be, if I wanted to open a website, I just clicked on the URL, and Firefox would open with it. Now (and I'm using 95.0.2 on iMac Big Sur), when I click on the the URL NOTHING HAPPENS if a Firefox window isn't already open. That is, you have to have a Firefox window already open in order for the website to appear. For example, in the Bookmark library, if a Firefox window isn't already open, clicking on a website there won't open it. You need to right click it and select OPEN. Now, Firefox is selected already as the default browser for the system. How do I fix this? I mean, how do I get it back the way it used to be?

Chosen solution

I think I see the problem. Your screenshot shows Default Browser: Firefox 90.0.2

But your System Details (provided when you posted your question) shows Firefox 95.0

I think you have more than one Firefox program installed.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (7)

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

Let's start with: Type about:preferences#general<enter> in the address box. Turn on Make Firefox Default Browser. You can also turn on; Always Check Firefox Default Browser.

danflester
danflester Question owner
more options

As I said, I've already made Firefox the default browser. What is Always Check Firefox Default Browser ? Never heard of that.

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

The Always Check is just under the Make Firefox Default Browser Each time the browser starts, it will check that Firefox is the default.

Open the computer's settings and look up the default browser setting.

danflester
danflester Question owner
more options

Well, that's not clear. In Big Sur in System Prefs->General, there is nothing under Default Web Browser. See attached image. I don't see any "Always Check" there.

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

Chosen Solution

I think I see the problem. Your screenshot shows Default Browser: Firefox 90.0.2

But your System Details (provided when you posted your question) shows Firefox 95.0

I think you have more than one Firefox program installed.

danflester
danflester Question owner
more options

I believe you're right. I had an old version of Firefox called "Firefox.app", and I downloaded a new one, which I named "Firefox 90.0.2.app". The latter turned into the default browser, but I may have had my dock item pointed to the former. Now that I've gotten rid of the former, and updated my dock icon, things seem to work again. Thanks!

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

Glad to help. Safe Surfing.