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Randomly fails to correctly focus on a text input box, despite clicking on it, and interprets typing as keyboard commands.

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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If I'm trying to type a comment into Youtube (where the problem usually occurs) the browser will completely random not recognize that i'm trying to write text. The little flashing cursor thing appears as normal, but if I start typing it acts like im using keyboard shortcuts.

No matter how many times I click, it functions as described above. the only way to stop it is to switch to a different program, and then back to firefox.

While that's not especially hard to do, the main problem is that if im typing a comment and hit backspace, it can bring me back to my previous page and wipe out the comment I was writing.

If I'm trying to type a comment into Youtube (where the problem usually occurs) the browser will completely random not recognize that i'm trying to write text. The little flashing cursor thing appears as normal, but if I start typing it acts like im using keyboard shortcuts. No matter how many times I click, it functions as described above. the only way to stop it is to switch to a different program, and then back to firefox. While that's not especially hard to do, the main problem is that if im typing a comment and hit backspace, it can bring me back to my previous page and wipe out the comment I was writing.

All Replies (2)

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It is possible that some of the status keys have the wrong state and Firefox sees them as still pressed.

Try to press all the status keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt) a few times to see if that helps to recover from this. If it doesn't help then close and restart Firefox or reboot the computer.

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Do you have this problem anywhere else?

Many site issues can be caused by corrupt cookies or cache.

  • Clear the Cache and
  • Remove Cookies
    Warning ! ! This will log you out of sites you're logged in to.

Type about:preferences<Enter> in the address bar.

  • Cookies; Select Privacy. Under History, select Firefox will Use Custom Settings. Press the button on the right side called Show Cookies. Use the search bar to look for the site. Note; There may be more than one entry. Remove All of them.
  • Cache; Select Advanced > Network. Across from Cached Web Content, Press Clear Now.

If there is still a problem, Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} While you are in safe mode;

Type about:preferences#advanced<Enter> in the address bar.

Under Advanced, Select General. Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.

Poke around safe web sites. Are there any problems?

Then restart.