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Why does Firefox switch focus to an immediately adjacent tab (in a series of tabs) on middle-clicking a link instead of staying on the same tab? (with setting of NOT switching to new tab).

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  • Nzaghachi ikpeazụ nke Ammaar

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I have usually 4 tabs open by default. If, for example, I'm in the first tab and middle-click a link to open a new tab, the tab opens but firefox focuses on the tab immediately adjacent to the tab I'm on (in this case, from tab 1 to tab 2 instead of staying on tab 1 whilst tab 5 is loading). The pattern repeats if I'm on tab x and open a new tab from tab x, but focus shifts to tab (x+1) instead of staying on tab x.

It happens more often than not, i.e. it sometimes stops but usually happens.

I have this setup for a year now and this is the first time this is happening. I believe since this latest update of 3.6.13.

I have usually 4 tabs open by default. If, for example, I'm in the first tab and middle-click a link to open a new tab, the tab opens but firefox focuses on the tab immediately adjacent to the tab I'm on (in this case, from tab 1 to tab 2 instead of staying on tab 1 whilst tab 5 is loading). The pattern repeats if I'm on tab x and open a new tab from tab x, but focus shifts to tab (x+1) instead of staying on tab x. It happens more often than not, i.e. it sometimes stops but usually happens. I have this setup for a year now and this is the first time this is happening. I believe since this latest update of 3.6.13.

All Replies (2)

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This issue can be caused by an extension or plugin that isn't working properly.

Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the add-ons is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Tools > Add-ons > Themes).

  • Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.

See:

If it does work in Safe-mode then disable all extensions and then try to find which is causing it by enabling one at a time until the problem reappears.

  • Use "Disable all add-ons" on the Safe mode start window to disable all extensions.
  • Close and restart Firefox after each change via "File > Exit" (Mac: "Firefox > Quit"; Linux: "File > Quit")
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Hey cor-el, thanks for replying! In Safe-Mode it runs fine, but I guess I was silly and hasty and didn't try disabling the extensions one-by-one. But doing so has lead to a fix!

Apparently it's the DivX HiQ Extension that's causing the trouble. Disabling it has so far not reproduced the annoying tab focus-switching.

Thanks again! Regards Ammaar