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All maps show wrong location in Firefox but correct location when using Chrome. How do I fix that?

  • 6 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by Bills

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Windows 10 Lenovo Yoga laptop, no GPS chip from its spec sheet. Firefox browser running bing and google maps thinks I am "near" a place I was two weeks ago. I was never actually there, I was 20 miles away from where it thinks I was a couple weeks ago and now I am 320 miles from there. Firefox is up to date 105.06 from the about field says current.

Chrome websites know exactly where I am, and has been correct all the time. Bing Maps, Google Maps and MapQuest Map know exactly where I am on Chrome!

Why do they think I am hundreds of miles away when those same map websites are run on Firefox?


We travel in an RV so every 4 or 5 days, we move 50-100 miles. Microsoft Map thinks I am in the same spot as Firefox, and I have changed its default location each time we move. But it thinks we are still someplace else, same as Firefox.

I have done all the usual checks, troubleshooting mode, reboots, location settings, checked to verify NO Proxy is set. No VPN is running.

I really want to keep using Firefox, but this is begining to make me wonder why as its been going on for a couple months now. We have been traveling in an RV for 6 years during the summers, and never noticed this before.

I did buy an external GPS dongle for Windows but none of the maps programs see it, except the app made to test the dongle. BU-353W10, a windows 10 gps dongle. I tried a couple others, similar results, they cannot see it.

Windows 10 Lenovo Yoga laptop, no GPS chip from its spec sheet. Firefox browser running bing and google maps thinks I am "near" a place I was two weeks ago. I was never actually there, I was 20 miles away from where it thinks I was a couple weeks ago and now I am 320 miles from there. Firefox is up to date 105.06 from the about field says current. Chrome websites know exactly where I am, and has been correct all the time. Bing Maps, Google Maps and MapQuest Map know exactly where I am on Chrome! Why do they think I am hundreds of miles away when those same map websites are run on Firefox? We travel in an RV so every 4 or 5 days, we move 50-100 miles. Microsoft Map thinks I am in the same spot as Firefox, and I have changed its default location each time we move. But it thinks we are still someplace else, same as Firefox. I have done all the usual checks, troubleshooting mode, reboots, location settings, checked to verify NO Proxy is set. No VPN is running. I really want to keep using Firefox, but this is begining to make me wonder why as its been going on for a couple months now. We have been traveling in an RV for 6 years during the summers, and never noticed this before. I did buy an external GPS dongle for Windows but none of the maps programs see it, except the app made to test the dongle. BU-353W10, a windows 10 gps dongle. I tried a couple others, similar results, they cannot see it.

All Replies (6)

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Bing isn't Firefox and where did you download it from?

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Bills, a thought, have you tried clearing all related cookies for Google and Bing before looking at the maps?. This may of course log you out of Google and Bing related sites or services. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/clear-cookies-and-site-data-firefox#w_clear-cookies-for-any-website

Dropa said

Bing isn't Firefox and where did you download it from?

The OP is referring to https://www.bing.com/maps/ and https://www.google.com/maps/ (if in US)

Also Firefox is a web browser and not a company or such as you seem to say with "Bing isn't Firefox"

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Yes, I even went so far as to uninstalled FF, wipe it all and its still the same. How is chrome able to pass the correct info to those map websites and FF provides something totally bogus. I have moved to Patterson CA this afternoon and FF still thinks I am at Roamers Rest outside of portland Or and Chrome knows what specific campsite I am in. This seems nuts.

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How Chrome and FireFox browser works aren't the same programing source so beyond they are both browser they aren't the same underneath the programming. How are you using Bing in Firefox cause that seems problematic here. Sounds like Bing doesn't like firefox and is the cause of the problem. Did you contact Microsoft about Bing issues with firefox that where I would also contact as well. Also what and how are you using firefox map with Bing or Google since there is no steps how to reproduce this issue also is problematic since no one can verify how or what is happening.

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If you give a site permission to access your precise location -- here's an example of what that looks like:

-- Firefox will ask Windows for data on nearby WiFi hotspots, and those are sent to Google to triangulate, and then Firefox can return a lat/lon to the site. (If you don't give permission, the site would use your IP address to guess your location.)


Actually, I'm assuming default settings. Could you check whether any of the preferences related to this lookup process have been modified:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button accepting the risk.

More info on about:config: Configuration Editor for Firefox. The moderators would like us to remind you that changes made through this back door aren't fully supported and aren't guaranteed to continue working in the future. Since we are restoring default settings, I feel comfortable mentioning it.

(2) In the search box in the page, type or paste geo. (that's geo followed by a period) and pause while the list is filtered

Firefox should display several preferences starting with geo.

(3) If any of the preferences are bolded and have a left-arching Reset arrow at the right end of the row, click that Reset button to restore the default value of the preference

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I went into Geo. Nothing is reset-able, there are 2 boolean toggles and the rest are editable. Nothing bolded or highlighted. Location services are on, both map web pages are allowed. I did buy a GlobalSat 05-BU353-W10 GPS GNSS Location Sensor, Windows 10 - Black after the problem had persisted for a while and nothing but its own test app seemed to be able to use it. So it made no difference. I stopped using after a few days. I really don't want to use Chrome but it seems I have to for certain things that need to know where I am to work. It sure would be nice if someone made an addon or extention for FF that I could tell it where my location is manually when needed. UGH. -Bill


Answering the prior persons response, I only went to bing maps webpage via FF after I noticed the issue on and off for a few weeks. As for reproducing it. Its simple and problem needs no comment to do. use google maps or bing maps in firefox. Move many miles and do it again.

Modified by Bills