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website launches the dlownload files interface only in firefox

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by user633449

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When visiting a website with Firefox, the download file interface automatically launches. The file it downloads is the index.html file from the site. I have visited the site with Chrome, Safari and IE and the site displays properly. This is the only site I've visited where this is an issue. I tried to visit this site after launching Firefox without the plugins. I have also downloaded the most recent version (which I have) and reinstalled the upgrade. Neither resolved the issue.

The website is http://www.corkybinggeli.com

Any insights or help is appreciated.

When visiting a website with Firefox, the download file interface automatically launches. The file it downloads is the index.html file from the site. I have visited the site with Chrome, Safari and IE and the site displays properly. This is the only site I've visited where this is an issue. I tried to visit this site after launching Firefox without the plugins. I have also downloaded the most recent version (which I have) and reinstalled the upgrade. Neither resolved the issue. The website is http://www.corkybinggeli.com Any insights or help is appreciated.

All Replies (3)

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Seeks to be working fine here, no problems with getting download dialog.
Such an issue is usually caused by a problem with the content type that Firefox receives from the server.

You can check the response header via the Web Console (Web Developer > Web Console;Ctrl+Shift+K) to see what response you get from the server.


Try some basic steps like these to see if that helps:

Reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

  • Press and hold Shift and left-click the Reload button.
  • Press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
  • Press "Command + Shift + R" (MAC)

Clear the cache and the cookies from sites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

  • Do not click the Reset button on the Safe mode start window or otherwise make changes.
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I never get to the website in the browser. The download dialog pops up. It does say You have chosen to open: (no file name appears at all) which is an: text/htmlx-ontent-length: (6.5 KB)

I went through the cookies and cleared the cache as you suggested. Running firefox in safe mode does not change the results.

So I still have this issue. thanks.

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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.

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