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Cannot download from a specific website's links unless I reload

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Sample of issue: (but same issue for all downloads on this site : 1) http://findicons.com/icon/64646/options?id=283037 2) Click on download ico link 3) redirects to: http://findicons.com/icon/download/64646/options/128/ico but instead of download window opening I see a black screen with (in top left corner): {"success": true}

4) after experimentation I found that if I click on Firefox URL bar's "reload current page" THEN the the download pop opens.

I do not know why this is happening and hope someone understands why and what (if anything) I can do to get the download pop-up to open up first time as normal for the website

Many thanks

Sample of issue: (but same issue for all downloads on this site : 1) http://findicons.com/icon/64646/options?id=283037 2) Click on download ico link 3) redirects to: http://findicons.com/icon/download/64646/options/128/ico but instead of download window opening I see a black screen with (in top left corner): {"success": true} 4) after experimentation I found that if I click on Firefox URL bar's "reload current page" THEN the the download pop opens. I do not know why this is happening and hope someone understands why and what (if anything) I can do to get the download pop-up to open up first time as normal for the website Many thanks

All Replies (6)

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Under the covers, that "button" actually is a link, and instead of navigating to a new page, Firefox should display the download dialog because it's an undisplayable content type ("application/file") with an "attachment" disposition (instead of an "inline" disposition).

Do you have any extensions that might change how Firefox opens links or how it handles unusual content types?

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As a short term workaround, does it operate correctly if you right-click > Save Link As on the "button"?

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No problems here with the current 27.0 beta release.

You can try these steps in case of issues with web pages:

Reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

  • Hold down the Shift key 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 cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

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

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Firefox/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.
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Hi cor-el & scher2000

Thanks for trying to help :)

cor-el: Disappointing FOR ME (that is) that you had no issue with link button operating correctly. I tried all three suggestions and NONE worked for me (not even safe mode which disabled all add-ons). I use CCleaner daily, or more often, so did not expect clearing cache to make a difference to be honest.

jscher2000: In answer to you first post I have many add-ons and I disabled all the likely suspects but it made no difference I then disabled Free Download Manager, but that too made no difference. Finally all were disabled via safe mode (following cor--el's suggestion) but that too made no difference

In answer to your 2nd post YES workaround by right clicking "Save link as.." opened up the Windows "save as" window and I was able to save the .ico file to my PC.

So in summary on what "sort of" works 1) reloading when I get the blank page with {"success": true}

(in top left corner):  works every time.

2) Right clicking "Save link as.." works every time (be it not via Free Download Manager)

Any idea why this site (ONLY) needs these methods with FIREFOX (but works perfectly with IE11 on my System? All other website download links work 100% (so far) with FIREFOX (this is the ONLY site I have an issue with.

I decided to help and test further. I did a 100% Uninstall of Firefox INCLUDING all my bookmarks, preferences, add-ons, plug-ins etc. I then installed Firefox 26 RELEASE and imported NOTHING.

The issue STILL occurred.

I have now reinstalled Firefox 27 Beta 6 and replaced the default profile in C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox with what I had saved before uninstalling it first time so My Firefox 26 Beta 6 is back to, my :) , normal.

The Issue still occurs on this site ONLY. I have HOWEVER Noted TODAY that occasionally the links do work correctly upon loading the URL and if so continue to work whilst I remain on the website.

However it is inconsistent because MOST times if I exit Firefox completely and reload Firefox and cut and paste http://findicons.com/icon/64646/options?id=283037 in the address bar then it USUALLY will not work when I click on ANY download button (not only .ico)

What I am trying to say in my clumsy way is if it works straight from the URL opening then it continues to do so. It does not (usual) on first opening then it continues to NOT open any download links and all go to blank page with {"success": true}. I am guessing is it sticks on this instead of opening the download popup dialogue box.

I tried Firefox in Private mode and issue is the same.

I know cor-el could not replicate my issue but I feel my add-ons PC set up are not to blame because IE11 DOES WORK 100% correctly every time suggesting (to me anyway) there is something in Firefox that this one site's link codes do not like( and only SOMETIMES execute correctly.

Hope I have not confused you both but I am trying to help resolve and not just sit back and let others do so alone.

Kind regards

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Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See "Creating a profile":

If the new profile works then you can transfer some files from an existing profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over the problem.

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Hi Cor-el

I thought I had created a new profile when I tried a 100% clean install of Firefox 26 my previous post refers: "I decided to help and test further. I did a 100% Uninstall of Firefox INCLUDING all my bookmarks, preferences, add-ons, plug-ins etc. I then installed Firefox 26 RELEASE and imported NOTHING.

Am I mistaken?