PRB: Java applet fails to load on Firefox

Symptoms

During last several weeks we are getting complaints from our clients that their users have problems with Java uploader in Firefox. The symptoms are the following: when the page with Java uploader is opened, no applet is loaded immediately as expected. If to wait for 120 seconds the applet can be loaded.

Cause

The problem occurs only with Firefox 17.0.1 or higher if the Java version is lower than 1.7 Update 13. The reason for this problem is a combination of that recently various security issues were found in Java and JavaScript installation progress. To improve the security, Mozilla prevents Java applet to load unless the user explicitly agrees to activate it. It can be done with either activation button on the navigation bar or by clicking the applet area. If you are using the standard installation progress, it hides the applet area until either the applet is loaded or two-minute timeout expires. That's why if your users wait 120 seconds, they can see the applet area with a hint to activate it.

As the Java 1.7 Update 13 fixes previously reported security issues, Mozilla returns the standard behavior if this version is installed. The applet is loaded as expected and there is no need to wait for activation.

Resolution

There are two options what you can do about this issue.

1. (Recommended) Tell your Firefox users to install Java 1.7 Update 13 (or higher). In this case, Java applets will load as usual.

2. If for any reasons your users don’t want to update Java, you should explain them how to activate an applet. When the activation is required, they should click a red button which appears near the navigation bar in the top-left corner of the browser.



Also, in the version 8.0.32 the insallation progress indicator has been disabled for Firefox. So it is recommended to update your uploader to the latest version.

Edited by moderator Thursday, February 13, 2014 11:49:06 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified