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

clear recent history grayed out

more options

I noticed under my hitory tab that "clear recent history" is greyed out. I thought this was normal because I am using private browsing but I noticed that several websites are listed under history.

Is it proper for "clear recent history" to be greyed out?

I noticed under my hitory tab that "clear recent history" is greyed out. I thought this was normal because I am using private browsing but I noticed that several websites are listed under history. Is it proper for "clear recent history" to be greyed out?

All Replies (10)

more options

Make sure you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Always use Private Browsing mode; Never Remember History).

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
    Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history"
  • remove checkmark: [ ] "Always use Private Browsing mode"
more options

I am running in private mode. why should the history be displayed and I am not able to clear the values?

more options

If you access the History menu while you're in a private window, you'll see history entries from regular windows. (For your convenience? Because it's hard to hide them in different windows?) Private window history will not be added to the menu, and it's a "read only" view from there. To remove regular window history, use a regular window.

more options

jscher2000 What is the reason I can't "clear recent history" while in private mode? It should be removal able since its a convients.

more options

Hi, he explained that in his post. Please note Firefox update to version 62.0 tomorrow. Help --> ABout to start it or : https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/62.0/mac/

more options

Version 62 no longer shows history.

more options

mace2 said

Version 62 no longer shows history.

Does that mean this problem is solved, or is it a new problem?

more options

Version 62 does not show any history when in private browsing mode.

more options

The problem with the "history will not clear", "history not showing" etc is because when one clicks on 'HISTORY' in the menu then clicks on 'Clear Recent History' the box for "CLEAR NOW" is not there more often than being there. The 'Clear All History' box will appear more narrow than a normal box should. If you do it a second time the "CLEAR NOW" box will appear. This has been going on for about 3 months now on each version of Firefox that comes out. Currently I'm on 65.0b12 (64 bit) and it happens about 3 out of 5 times during a day. It is more of a 'nag' but it needs to be fixed. I thought Mozilla would have fixed this by now because it has been going on for some time. I'm not using "privacy" mode either.

Edeziri site na wahoospa

more options

Hi wahoospa, it sounds as though you are using the classic pop-up "Clear Recent History" dialog rather than the in-page dialog on the Options/Preferences page.

Does it seem to be a problem with Firefox intermittently drawing the dialog too small, so the bottom buttons are cut off? Or are they grayed out (disabled)? Or is that lower area blank?