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

menu is black/Emails are black

  • 10 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 13 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

more options

When i click on an email it shows up all black. When i click on any of the menu options the drop downs are all black. HELP

When i click on an email it shows up all black. When i click on any of the menu options the drop downs are all black. HELP

Chosen solution

TRy switching off hardware exceleration. This was disabled when you tried Safe Mode, so it may be culprit.

Tools > Options > Advanced > General tab

However, if your toolbars are black try this method of getting access.

select the top mail account Hold down 'Alt' key and press 'T'- keep holding down 'Alt and press 'O' then press 'O' again, release 'Alt' and hit Enter.

this should get your Options window open Select 'Advanced' and 'General' tab click on 'config Editor' button

a new window opens. In top search type: gfx look for this line : gfx.direct2d.disabled Value = false double click on that line to toggle the 'False' to 'true'

In top search type: acceleration look for this line : layers.acceleration.disabled Value = false double click on that line to toggle the 'False' to 'true'

If using linux or mac: set this line to Value = true : layers.prefer-opengl Value = True

close window - top right X clickon OK to save and close Options.

Restart Thunderbird.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (10)

more options

Hello,

In order to better assist you with your issue please provide us with a screenshot. If you need help to create a screenshot, please see How do I create a screenshot of my problem?

Once you've done this, attach the saved screenshot file to your forum post by clicking the Browse... button below the Post your reply box. This will help us to visualize the problem.

Thank you!

Modified by tjohnson

more options

Here are pictures. thank you

more options

Please add your graphic card information to your post so that we know whether the driver you have installed for it is up to date. To find the Graphics information:

  • Open Help (or click on three-line-icon and select Help)
  • Choose Troubleshooting Information
  • Select the table that contains Graphics information and copy it to the clipboard.
  • Paste this in your post.

Please post back with this information and any other questions you might have.

Modified by tjohnson

more options

I can not open help in Mozilla. It is black...see picture i posted earlier. When i click any of the menu items, it is black.

more options

This happened after a windows update.

more options

Please try running Thunderbird in safe mode and see if this eliminates the problem.

The easiest way to do this (without having access to the Help menu) is to hold the Shift key down for several seconds while Thunderbird starts up (begin pressing the key immediately after clicking on the Thunderbird icon to run it). You should then see a dialog alerting you that you are running Thunderbird in safe mode.

After trying this, please let us know whether you still experience the problem while running in safe mode.

Modified by tjohnson

more options

tjohnson you are my hero. This did fix the issue. Can i just leave it running in Safemode?

more options

Chosen Solution

TRy switching off hardware exceleration. This was disabled when you tried Safe Mode, so it may be culprit.

Tools > Options > Advanced > General tab

However, if your toolbars are black try this method of getting access.

select the top mail account Hold down 'Alt' key and press 'T'- keep holding down 'Alt and press 'O' then press 'O' again, release 'Alt' and hit Enter.

this should get your Options window open Select 'Advanced' and 'General' tab click on 'config Editor' button

a new window opens. In top search type: gfx look for this line : gfx.direct2d.disabled Value = false double click on that line to toggle the 'False' to 'true'

In top search type: acceleration look for this line : layers.acceleration.disabled Value = false double click on that line to toggle the 'False' to 'true'

If using linux or mac: set this line to Value = true : layers.prefer-opengl Value = True

close window - top right X clickon OK to save and close Options.

Restart Thunderbird.

Modified by Toad-Hall

more options

You rock. This fixed it

more options

Good to hear all is working again.