Web Browser - Troubleshooting Tips for Desktops and Laptops

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Summary

The sections below detail common troubleshooting topics for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari web browsers on desktop and laptop devices.

Reference Items

  1. Google Chrome Help

    • Vendor Chrome browser help documentation.

  2. Microsoft Edge help & learning

    • Vendor Edge browser help documentation.

  3. Firefox Help - Mozilla Support

    • Vendor Firefox browser help documentation.

  4. Safari - Official Apple Support

    • Vendor Safari browser help documentation.

Chrome

Expand the sections below for common help topics for Google's Chrome web browser.

Allow Pop-up Windows

Often you may want to restrict what additional windows (pop-ups) web pages can open while using Chrome.

  1. In the Chrome browser, click the vertical three dots in the top-right corner, then select: Settings from the dropdown menu.
    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Click: Privacy and security, then click: Site settings.
    Screenshot of step 2 above.

  3. Scroll down and click: Pop-ups and redirects.
    Screenshot of step 3 above.

  1. Select the Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects radio button to allow all pop-ups, click: Add to unblock pop-ups for a single website.
    Screenshot of step 4 above.

  2. If Add was clicked in step 1 above, an Add a Site window will open, type in a specific website URL, then click: Add.

  • Inserting [*.] before an address or domain name creates an exception for the entire domain.

  • Example, adding: [*.]ku.edu will enable third-party cookies for research.ku.edu and google.com, whereas adding: ku.edu will only add an exception for ku.edu.

Screenshot of step 5 above.

Clear Cache and Cookies

Browsing history, browser cache, and web browser cookies are stored within Chrome to improve browsing performance. You may want to clear your history from time to time if issues are encountered or you wish to reset your browser's behavior.

  1. In the Chrome browser, click the vertical three dots in the top-right corner, then select: Delete browsing data.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. In the Delete browsing data window, select: All time from the options up top (click: More and select from the dropdown menu if not shown). Then check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then click: Delete from this device.

  • For more options for how foar back to delete information, click: More and select from the dropdown menu.

  • Uncheck Browsing history if you want to keep your past visits.
    Screenshot of step 2 above.

Enable Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are stored on your device when visiting web pages to improve your performance on those sites. You may wish to enable or disable these cookies for privacy or performance reasons.

  1. In the Chrome browser, click the vertical three dots in the top-right corner, then select: Settings from the dropdown menu.Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Click: Privacy and security on the left menu, then click: Third-party cookies.
    Screenshot of step 2 above.

  3. Select: Allow third-party cookies.
    Screenshot of step 3 above.

Open a Private Browsing Window

If you wish to view a website with minimal tracking and history, an Incognito Window can be opened within Chrome.

  1. In the Chrome browser, click the vertical three dots in the top-right corner, then select: New Incognito Window.
    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. The Chrome incognito window opens with a grey user interface, and will say: You've gone incognito.

    Screenshot of step 2 above.           

Trusted Sites

Setting a website as a trusted site notifies your web browser that the website is a reliable source and grants permission to your web browser to allow it to display anything from that website.

  1. In the Chrome browser, click the vertical three dots in the top-right corner, then select: Settings from the dropdown menu.
    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Click: Privacy and security on the left menu, then click: Third-party cookies.
    Screenshot of step 2 above.

  3. Under Sites allowed to use third-party cookies, click Add.

Screenshot of step 3 above.

  1. Enter the website's address, then click: Add.

  • Inserting [*.] before an address or domain name creates an exception for the entire domain.

  • Example, adding: [*.]ku.edu will enable third-party cookies for research.ku.edu and google.com, whereas adding: ku.edu will only add an exception for ku.edu.

 

Screenshot of step 4 above.

 

Turn Browser Extensions Off or On

Browser extensions allow programs to perform tasks within your web browser, such as grammar checking, screen display & appearance, and software integrations.

  1. In the Chrome browser, click the vertical three dots in the top-right corner, then select: Extensions from the dropdown menu, then select: Manage Extenstions from the next menu.
    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Turn the extension off or on by clicking the slider to off (gray) or on (blue).

Screenshot 2 of step above.

View Saved Credentials

In order to make logging in easier, Chrome can store the passwords of websites you have visited. These passwords can be viewed, deleted, or edited within Chrome.

  1. In the Chrome browser, click the vertical three dots in the top-right corner, then click: Passwords and Autofill from the dropdown menu, then click: Google Password Manager from the next menu.

    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Click the arrow next to the webside you want to view credentials for.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

  1. You may need to enter your computer password before you are able to view the saved credential.

    Screenshot of step 3 above.

  2. Click the eye icon next to a password to view it. Optionally click: Edit or Delete if you wish to change or delete the password, respectively.

    Screenshot of step 4 above.

Edge

Expand the sections below for common help topics for Microsoft's Edge web browser.

Allow Pop-up Windows

Often you may want to restrict what additional windows (pop-ups) web pages can open while using Edge.

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Edge, then select: Settings.

    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Click: Privacy, search, and services on the left, then click: Site permissions.
    Screenshot of step 2 above.

  3. Click: All permissions.
    Screenshot of 3 step above.

  4. Click: Pop-ups and redirects.
    Screenshot of step 4 above.

  5. You can either turn the Blocked toggle switch to Off to unblock pop-pups for all websites or click: Add site in the Allow to send pop-ups and use redirects section to add an exception for KU websites.

Screenshot of step 5 above.

  1. Enter: ku.edu (without quotes), then click: Add.

    Screenshot of step 6 above.

Clear Cache & Cookies

  Browsing history, browser cache, and web browser cookies are stored within Edge to improve browsing performance. You may want to clear your history from time to time if issues are encountered or you wish to reset your browser's behavior.

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Edge, then select: Delete Browsing Data...

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. In the Delete browsing data window, select the time range for how far back you want to delete. Then select the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Then click: Clear now.

  • To completely empty the cache, select:All Time.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

Enable Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are stored on your device when visiting web pages to improve your performance on those sites. You may wish to enable or disable these cookies for privacy or performance reasons.

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Edge, then select: Settings.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. Click on Privacy, search, and services on the left menu, click: Cookies.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

  1. Toggle the switch for Block third-party cookies to off.
    Screenshot of step 3 above.

Open a Private Browsing Window

If you wish to view a website with minimal tracking and history, an InPrivate window can be opened within Edge.

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Edge, then select: New InPrivate window.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. The InPrivate window will open in a gray and InPrivate browsing will be listed at the top of the page. The user avatar in the upper right will also display as InPrivate while using a private window.

    Screenshot of step 2 above.

Trusted Sites

Setting a website as a trusted site notifies your web browser that the website is a reliable source and grants permission to your web browser to allow it to display most items from that site.

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Edge, then click: Settings.

    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Click: Privacy, search, and services on the left, then click: Security.

    Screenshot of step 2 above.

  3. Scroll down and click the Enhance your security on the web toggle to on, then click: Site preferences for enhanced security.

    Screenshot of step 3 above.

  1. Click: Add a site, and in the pop-up box type the website URL you wish to trust, then click: Add.

Screenshot of step 4 above.

Turn Browser Extensions Off or On

Browser extensions allow programs to perform tasks within your web browser, such as grammar checking, alter screen display and appearance, and act as software integrations.

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Edge, select: Extensions, then click: Manage extensions from the new menu.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

  1. Click the toggle switch next to any extension until it turns off (gray) or on (blue). If you wish to delete the extension completely, click: Remove.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

View Saved Credentials

In order to make logging in easier, Edge can store the passwords of websites you have visited. These passwords can be viewed, deleted, or edited within Edge.

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Edge, then select: Passwords.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. Click the name of the website to see its saved credentials.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

  1. Enter your user account password or PIN to confirm your identity.

Screenshot of step 3 above.

  1. Click the eye icon next to a password to view it. Optionally click: Edit or Delete if you wish to change or delete the password, respectively.
    Screenshot of step 4 above.

Firefox

Expand the sections below for common help topics for Mozilla's Firefox web browser.

Allow Pop-up Windows

Often you may want to restrict what additional windows (pop-ups) web pages can open while using Firefox.

  1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner, then select: Settings.
    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Select: Permissions and data from the left menu, then uncheck the box next to Block pop-ups and third-party redirects, then click: Manage exceptions.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

  1. Enter: ku.edu into the Address of website field, then click: Allow, then click: Save Changes.

Screenshot of step 3 above.

Clear Cache and Cookies

Browsing history, browser cache, and web browser cookies are stored within Firefox to improve browsing performance. You may want to clear your history from time to time if issues are encountered or you wish to reset your browser's behavior.

  1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner, then select: Settings.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. Click: Privacy & Security, then click: Clear browsing data.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

  1. Check the checkboxes next to: Cookies and site data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click: Clear.

Screenshot of step 3 above.

Enable Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are stored on your device when visiting web pages to improve your performance on those sites. You may wish to enable or disable these cookies for privacy or performance reasons.

  1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner, then click: Settings.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. Click: Privacy & Security on the left, then click: Advanced settings.
    Screenshot of step 2 above.

  2. Select the Custom radio button, then click: Customize tracking protection.
    Screenshot of step 3 above.

  3. Click the Cookies slider to On (blue), then select Isolate cross-site cookies is selected in the dropdown.
    Screenshot of step 4 above.

Open a Private Browsing Window

If you wish to view a website with minimal tracking and history, a new Private Window can be opened within Firefox.

  1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner, then select: New Private Window.

    Screenshot of 1 step above.

  2. The Firefox private browsing window has a purple background and the new page tab has a mask icon.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

Trusted Sites

Setting a website as a trusted site notifies your web browser that the website is a reliable source and grants permission to your web browser to allow it to display most items from that website.

  1. Navigate to the website you wish to add to your allowed list, then click the shield icon next to the address bar, in the dropdown box change the Enhanced Tracking Protection toggle to off (gray).

Screenshot of step 1 above.

Turn Browser Extensions Off or On

Browser extensions allow programs to perform tasks within your web browser, such as grammar checking, screen display and appearance, and act as software integrations.

  1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner, then select: Extensions and Themes.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. Click the toggle switch next to any extension until it turns off (gray) or on (blue). If you wish to delete the extension completely, click: Remove.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

View Saved Credentials

In order to make logging in easier, Firefox can store the passwords you used on websites you visit. These passwords can be viewed, deleted, or edited within Firefox.

  1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner, then select: Passwords.

    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Select the site you want to view credentials for, then click the eye icon next to the password to view the saved password.

    Screenshot of step 2 above.

Safari

Expand the sections below for common help topics for Apple's Safari web browser.

Allow Pop-up Windows

Often you may want to restrict what additional windows (pop-ups) web pages can open while using Safari.

  1. Click: Safari in the top-left menu bar, then click: Settings.
    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Click: Websites at the top of the window, click: Pop-up Windows, click the options to the right of the name of the website you wish to change, and click: Allow. If you want to enable pop-ups everywhere, click: Allow in the bottom-right.
    Screenshot of step 2 above.

Clear Cache & Cookies

Browsing history, browser cache, and web browser cookies are stored within Safari to improve browsing performance. You may want to clear your history from time to time if issues are encountered or you wish to reset your browser's behavior.

  1. Click: Safari in the top-left menu bar, then click: Settings.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. Click: Privacy, then click: Manage Website Data.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

  1. Click: Remove All to clear all cache and cookies, or select specific sites and click: Remove.

Screenshot of step 3 above.

  1. In the confirmation pop up window, click: Remove Now.

Screenshot of step 4 above.

  1. When you are finished, click: Done.

Screenshot of step 5 above.

Enable Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are stored on your device when visiting web pages to improve your performance on those sites. You may wish to enable or disable these cookies for privacy or performance reasons.

  1. Click: Safari in the top-left menu bar, then click: Settings.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. Click: Privacy, then deselect: Prevent cross-site tracking.
    Screenshot of step 2 above.

  2. Click the Advanced tab and deselect: Block all cookies.
    Screenshot of step 3 above.

Open a Private Browsing Window

If you wish to view a website with minimal tracking and history, a New Private Window can be opened within Safari.

  1. With Safari open, click: File in the top-left.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. Safari uses a dark grey location bar to indicate a private browsing window. The new tab page also shows an alert at the top letting the user know that Private Browsing is enabled.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

Trusted Sites

Setting a website as a trusted site notifies your web browser that the website is a reliable source and grants permission to your web browser to allow it to display anything from that website.

  1. Navigate to the website you want to trust, click the share icon in the upper-right of the window, then select: Add to "Favorites" from the dropdown menu.

Screenshot of step 1 above.

  1. A pop-up will display and state that the site has been added to Favorites.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

Turn Browser Extensions Off or On

Browser extensions allow programs to perform tasks within your web browser, such as grammar checking, screen display and appearance, and create software integrations.

  1. Click: Safari in the top-left menu bar, then click: Settings.

    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Click: Extensions from the top of the window, then deselect the checkbox next to any extensions you wish to turn off, or ensure the checkbox is checked to turn it on.

    Screenshot of step 2 above.

View Saved Credentials

In order to make logging in easier, Safari can store the passwords you use on websites you visit. These passwords can be viewed, deleted, or edited within Safari.

  1. Click: Safari in the top-left menu bar, then click: Settings.
    Screenshot of step 1 above.

  2. Click: Passwords, then click: Open Passwords.

Screenshot of step 2 above.

  1. Enter your computer's password to gain access to the saved credentials.

Screenshot of step 3 above.

  1. Select a credential in the list to view the saved password.

    Screenshot of step 4 above.

 

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