Firefox Doesn't Load CAPTCHAs on Google

Troubleshoot Firefox to resolve security CAPTCHA code problems.

Google’s online services occasionally need to verify your identity by asking for a password, personal information and a security CAPTCHA code. The verification procedure for Gmail and other services prevents unauthorized access to your account and personal information. If your Firefox Web browser fails to display the CAPTCHA code on Google verification pages, try clearing the browser’s cache and stored “cookie” data files.

About Verification

Many Google services store personal information, including emails and contact information in Gmail, credit card details in Google Checkout and bank account information in Google AdWords and Google AdSense. When Google prompts you to verify your personal information with a password or by answering a security question, it validates the process by displaying an alphanumeric security CAPTCHA code that you are asked to type into a text box.

CAPTCHA Problems

If your Firefox browser fails to correctly display the CAPTCHA code, you won’t be able to validate your personal verification information because the procedure requires that you enter the security code to sign you in to your Google account. A glitch in the data files stored by your Firefox browser can sometimes prevent the dynamically generated security CAPTCHA code from displaying.

Troubleshooting

Google suggests clearing the browser’s data cache and cookie data files to resolve problems with CAPTCHA code displays. From the Firefox “Tools” drop-down menu, select the “Clear Recent History” option to open the Clear History dialog window. Select “Everything” from the "Time Range to Clear" pull-down options list. Click and select the "Cache and Cookies" check boxes, or on some versions of Firefox, select the "Cache and Details" check boxes. Click the “Clear Now” button, and then restart Firefox. Log in to your Google account and the CAPTCHA code should display on the account verification page.

Considerations

Clearing the Firefox browser’s cache and cookies is permanent, so you won’t be able to undo this action. As a result, you might find that some websites don’t automatically recognize the preferences that you’ve previously set. Keep your Firefox browser up-to-date with the latest software versions, because this often fixes known problems with certain browser functions. Manually check for updates by selecting “About” from the Firefox “Help” menu. If you encounter persistent problems with CAPTCHA code display, consider using another browser, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer or the Opera browser. You can download these free Web browsers from their respective home pages.

References

• Google: Gmail: "We're Sorry..." (Error 403)
• Google: Gmail: Clearing Cache and Cookies

Resources

• Mozilla: Need Help With Firefox?