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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Stop auto "Download" of videos on web sites

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 111 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

Butch
Butch
more options

I like to read news online from sites like: Foxnews, CNN, CBS, WSJ etc., and I have limited data available (Metered Service). On almost all of these sites I was able to stop auto play of the video by disabling auto play options, and adding disable HTML5 auto play extension when some sites managed to bypass the disabled auto play option. However, that didn't stop the sites from downloading the videos. I've tried everything that I've found online: content blocker, no script extensions, etc., but nothing seems to work. Does anyone know if there's an answer or a solution to this problem, or will I just have to limit my online site visits as some other forums suggest?

I like to read news online from sites like: Foxnews, CNN, CBS, WSJ etc., and I have limited data available (Metered Service). On almost all of these sites I was able to stop auto play of the video by disabling auto play options, and adding disable HTML5 auto play extension when some sites managed to bypass the disabled auto play option. However, that didn't stop the sites from downloading the videos. I've tried everything that I've found online: content blocker, no script extensions, etc., but nothing seems to work. Does anyone know if there's an answer or a solution to this problem, or will I just have to limit my online site visits as some other forums suggest?

Chosen solution

You could try an add-on such as the following if you haven't already:

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/image-video-block/

Use its toolbar button to set your global default settings. When there's a site where you want site-specific settings, use the right-click context menu in the page. I don't see a way to make an exception just for one image or one page of a site.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

You could try an add-on such as the following if you haven't already:

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/image-video-block/

Use its toolbar button to set your global default settings. When there's a site where you want site-specific settings, use the right-click context menu in the page. I don't see a way to make an exception just for one image or one page of a site.

Butch
Butch Question owner
more options

Thanks for the advice, I've installed the addon and it seems to be stopping the downloads, but I'll have to watch my data usage to see if it's working, over the next few days. You're right, once it's set globally it works on all sites, which for me is okay. There are very few videos, Youtube or others, that I watch because of my data plan, so a global blockage of downloads is just fine. Thanks again for the quick response, I'll watch for a few days and let you know the results.

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

Hello,

I am glad to hear that your problem has been resolved. If you haven't already, please select the answer that solves the problem. This will help other users with similar problems find the solution.

Thank you for contacting Mozilla Support.