Clicking on webpage icon/objects does nothing

Question

I'm using Linux Mint 17. I have firefox for Linux. It is up to date. Linux mint shows programs which are out of date and I just did the most recent update. Java for mint, flash player, etc are also up to date as well and done as soon as the Mint notifies me of the need.
I have a problem where some icons or objects on webpages will just fail to do anything.
I have tried white listing the affected pages and turn off pop-up blocker within FF without results.
The problem has been on going for a few months.
I had script safe and thought it was blocking something.
I removed script safe and the problem persists. I cannot make some pages work.
They will load and then go blank or load partially with a portion blank.
It sounds like flash or java are the problem or that would be so in Windows.
Does refreshing FF work in Linux?

Answer 1

There is a Refresh feature in Firefox for Linux, but if it would take a long time to reassemble your add-ons and reconfigure the UI to your liking, you might try two other tests first:
(1) Firefox's Safe Mode.
That is a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: [[Troubleshoot Firefox issues using Safe Mode]].
You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:
* "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
* Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
and OK the restart.
A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (''not'' Refresh).
Any difference?
(2) New Profile
A new profile will have your system-installed plugins (e.g., Flash) and extensions (e.g., security suite toolbars) -- if applicable on Linux -- but no themes, other extensions, or other customizations. It also should have completely fresh settings databases and a fresh cache folder.
''A new profile is a parallel settings folder and does not affect your current profile.''
Exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager using the technique described in this article: [[Use the Profile Manager to create and remove Firefox profiles]].
''Do not delete any existing profiles!''
Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.
Click the Create Profile button and assign a name like April28, ignore the button to change the folder location, and create your profile. Then start Firefox in the new profile you created.
Do those sites work any better in the new profile?
When returning to the Profile Manager, you might be tempted to use the Delete Profile button. But... it's a bit too easy to accidentally delete your "real" profile, so I recommend resisting the temptation. If you do want to clean up later, I suggest making a backup of all your profiles first in case something were to go wrong.