Firefox Quicktime Plugin Problems

Apple's Quicktime software is able to provide video and audio support from within a Firefox web browser. It does this by installing a special plug-in that integrates with Firefox and provides controls over a video similar to that of the stand-alone Quicktime player. But sometimes incompatibility problems with Firefox occur. Here are some of the common problems and their solutions.

Significance

There are many different types of video formats to be found online. Rather than attempting to build in support for all or just some of them, Firefox instead allows for a Quicktime "plug-in" that can be installed. A plug-in is designed to perform a specific task, which in this case is to be able to play and save videos. The Quicktime plug-in activates automatically from within Firefox when it senses a video on a web site.

Quicktime Plug-in Didn't Install

The Quicktime plug-in must be properly installed to function correctly from within the Firefox web browser. Quit and then restart Firefox and then clear the cache by going to the top of the screen and clicking on "Firefox." Click on "Preferences" from the drop down menu.

Click on the "Network" tab at the top of the "Preferences" window that has now appeared and then press "Clear Now" to the right of the Cache window. Close the window by pressing the red button at the upper left of the window and then install the Quicktime plug-in again (see Resources). Quit Firefox and restart it. Go to a web page that has a video and see if you can see the video.

Quicktime Doesn't Play Some Videos

The Quicktime plug-in uses default settings when it is installed. Configuring these settings can provide for a smoother and more productive experience and eliminate potential problems before they can occur. Click the "Edit" menu in the Firefox title bar and select "Quicktime Preferences" to open a window.

In the "Quicktime Preferences" window select the "Advanced" tab and then the "Mime Setings" window. Check the file types that the Quicktime plug-in is to play (or all of them) and press the "OK" button at the lower right of the window.

Quicktime Video Controls Disappeared

Move the mouse pointer over the bottom area of the Quicktime window in the web browser and click where the playback and sound icon controls should be. This can force the web browser to update the page and reveal the controls for playing the Quicktime video or changing the audio volume.

Reload the web page by going to the top of the Firefox web browser and pressing the "Reload Current Page" button. The web page will reload and so the Quicktime video will also reload. This can cause the Quicktime video controls to be revealed.

Quicktime Video Playback is Sluggish

Check that the computer (PC or Mac) is running the most recent software and that any recent updates have been installed. Quit and restart the Firefox web browser and access and play the Quicktime video again to see if it is now playing more smoothly.

Quit other programs so as to avoid interference while the Quicktime video is playing in the Firefox web browser.

Wait until the Quicktime video has completed downloaded onto the web browser before playing the video. The Quicktime video will play more smoothly once it has completely downloaded.

Firefox Doesn't Activiate the Quicktime Plug-in

Check that the most recent version of Firefox is being used. An older version of Firefox may be incompatible with the Quicktime plug-in because it is designed for use with a more recent version of the web browser. Install the most recent version of Firefox if this is the case and then install the Quicktime plug-in. Go to a web site where a Quicktime video is available and see if it now can be seen.

Warning

Because the Quicktime plug-in is provided by Apple, updates to Firefox can potentially cause problems or even "break" the plug-in. Apple, or any company making a plug-in for Firefox, is responsilble for seeing that the plug-in works with the Firefox web browser. But because those making the plug-ins are not involved with Firefox's updates, the companies can only hope their plug-ins work with the new Firefox version. If not, they must then work at creating a new plug-in that is compatible. This can mean a wait of anywhere from a few days to a few months and could require going back to an older version of Firefox to be able to use the plug-in in the meanwhile.

References

• Firefox Quicktime Plug-in Problem
• Firefox Doesn't Use Quicktime Plug-in
• Using the QuickTime Plug-in With Firefox

Resources

• QuickTime Troubleshooting
• How to Install QuickTime Plug-in for Firefox