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

Selection is not highlighted in Firefox and Thunderbird

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Jan FtFA

more options

Hello,

When I select text in Firefox the selection is not highlighted. The selection itself does work (e.g. deleting a selected word) but is not visible. The problem occurs in all fields where text can be entered, so the URL space, the search field but also text field on a page like this one. The strange thing is that the problem also occurs in Thunderbird.

I am using Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS, Firefox 99.0 and Thunderbird 91.8.1

Hello, When I select text in Firefox the selection is not highlighted. The selection itself does work (e.g. deleting a selected word) but is not visible. The problem occurs in all fields where text can be entered, so the URL space, the search field but also text field on a page like this one. The strange thing is that the problem also occurs in Thunderbird. I am using Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS, Firefox 99.0 and Thunderbird 91.8.1

Chosen solution

I solved the problem by choosing a different GTK3 theme. I installed Tweaks and changed the theme under applications from Vertex light to Ambiance and presto I had highlighted selections again in Firefox and Thunderbird.

If you are inexperienced with Linux like me you can read https://itsfoss.com/install-themes-ubuntu/ to familiarise yourself with themes and see how you can install them

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

more options

Try downloading another copy of Firefox, run it from the folder and see if you have the same issue. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release

more options

Hi john4SUZE,

I installed a fresh copy of Firefox but the problem remains the same. Also, since the problem occurs in both programs Firefox and Thunderbird the cause must be in something that both programs share, like a shared lib file or something like that

more options

Chosen Solution

I solved the problem by choosing a different GTK3 theme. I installed Tweaks and changed the theme under applications from Vertex light to Ambiance and presto I had highlighted selections again in Firefox and Thunderbird.

If you are inexperienced with Linux like me you can read https://itsfoss.com/install-themes-ubuntu/ to familiarise yourself with themes and see how you can install them