Problems using Facebook in Firefox

This article describes how to troubleshoot problems you might encounter while using Facebook in Firefox.

Table Of Contents

• Facebook chat is slow
• Cannot connect to Facebook
• Redirection problem
• Other Facebook problems
• Clear cookies and cache
• Check cookie settings
• Check JavaScript settings
• Check extensions, themes, and plugins
• Check for malware
• Changes to Facebook
• Further information

Facebook chat is slow

If Facebook chat appears to be very slow and unresponsive, upgrade to Firefox 3.6. For instructions on upgrading, see Updating Firefox.

Cannot connect to Facebook

If you cannot connect to the Facebook website at all in Firefox:

1. Check to see whether you can connect in another browser (such as Internet ExplorerSafariEpiphany).

• If you can connect in another browser, but not in Firefox:
  1. Follow the troubleshooting steps below, starting with the Clear cookies and cache section
  2. Check to make sure your Internet security software (such as a firewall, antivirus, or anti-spyware program) is set to allow Firefox. For instructions on configuring specific firewall programs, see Firewalls.
• If you cannot connect in any browser, the Facebook site may be down.

Redirection problem

Accessing Facebook applications may produce a "Page isn't redirecting properly" error. Facebook is aware of this problem and is working on a fix. You can visit the Facebook Help Center to see if any further information is available on this Facebook bug.

Other Facebook problems

The Facebook Help Center has a troubleshooting page that lists known Facebook website problems and bugs. If you see your specific problem listed on that page, Facebook is aware of it and is working on a fix. If your problem isn't listed, follow the troubleshooting steps below.

Clear cookies and cache

Clearing your stored cookies and the Firefox cache can solve several common problems with Facebook:

3.5/3.6:

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click Tools, then select Clear Recent History....
2. In the Time Range to clear: drop-down, select Everything.
3. Click the arrow next to Details to display the list of items that can be cleared.
4. Select both Cookies and Cache.
5. Click Clear Now.

3.0:

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click Tools, then select Clear Private Data....
2. Select both Cookies and Cache.
3. Click Clear Private Data Now.

Check cookie settings

If you receive an error message that mentions cookies after clearing your cookies and cache:

3.5/3.6:

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu, and select Options...Preferences....
2. Select the Privacy panel.
3. Set Firefox will: to Use custom settings for history.
4. Make sure Accept cookies from sites is check marked.
5. Make sure Accept third party cookies is check marked.
6. Click Exceptions....
7. Make sure facebook.com is not listed.
   • If it is listed, click on its entry, then click Remove Site.

3.0:

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu, and select Options...Preferences....
2. Click the Privacy icon.
3. Make sure Accept cookies from sites is check marked.
4. Make sure Accept third party cookies is check marked.
5. Click Exceptions....
6. Make sure facebook.com is not listed.
   • If it is listed, click on its entry, then click Remove Site.

Check JavaScript settings

Facebook errors can be caused by problems with JavaScript. JavaScript is enabled by default in Firefox, but to check its status:

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu, and select Options...Preferences....
2. Click to select the Content panel.
3. Make sure that Enable JavaScript is checked.
4. Click OK to close the Options windowClick Close to close the Preferences windowClose the Preferences window

You should also check whether you have an extension (such as NoScript) or Internet security program (such as a firewall, antivirus, or anti-spyware program) that can block JavaScript.

Check extensions, themes, and plugins

If the steps above did not fix your problem with Facebook:

1. Determine whether an extension or theme is causing your problem. See Troubleshooting extensions and themes for instructions.
2. Determine whether a plugin is causing your problem. See Troubleshooting plugins for instructions.

Check for malware

Certain types of malicious software can cause problems with connecting to Facebook. See Is my Firefox problem a result of malware for instructions on troubleshooting malware problems with Firefox.

Changes to Facebook

Facebook is known to make changes to their system regularly. Check Facebook Developer News for changes that have recently been made.

Further information

If the steps above did not solve your Facebook problem, see Ask a question to request support in the Firefox support forum or in Firefox support live chat.