Websites report cookies are disabled

This article applies to Firefox and Mozilla Suite.

Many websites require cookies to function properly and will block you from entering if they can't set cookies. If websites report that cookies are disabled or if you are unable to log into websites, try the following:

Application settings

Firefox and Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey have settings to enable or disable cookies. Open the Cookie Manager and make sure your Mozilla application is set to allow cookies from the site, as follows:

• Firefox: Open Tools -> Options -> Privacy and make sure "Accept cookies from sites" is checked and that the site you're trying to access isn't listed under "Exceptions".
• Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey: Open "Edit -> Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Cookies" and make sure "Allow all cookies" is selected and that the sites you're trying to access isn't listed under "Cookie Manager -> Cookie Sites".

Security software settings

Internet security and privacy software may have features that block cookies. The Zone Alarm Pro software firewall includes a "Cookie Control" feature. If you're using Zone Alarm, double-click its icon in the system tray in the lower right corner of the screen. With ZA open, click on the "Privacy" button in the left hand part of the screen. Then click on the "Main" tab at the upper right. Once you're in, turn off "Cookie Control." Similar instructions apply to the CA Personal Firewall, which also includes a "Cookie Control" feature described here.

After changing the setting that controls cookies in your security software, clear the cache of stored websites as follows:

• Firefox 3: "Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Network / Offline Storage -> Clear Now"
• Firefox 2: Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Network / Cache -> Clear Now"
• Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey: "Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Cache -> Clear Cache"

Other solutions

If you have checked your cookie settings and your are still having problems logging into websites, try the following:

• In your Mozilla application, open the Cookie Manager (see above) and remove the stored cookies associated with the problem websites (or remove all cookies) and then clear the cache in your Mozilla application. When you return to the problem website, a new cookie should be set.
• If you still have problems after doing the above, the cookies file may be corrupt. You can remove the cookies file so that a new one can be generated as follows (this will remove all stored cookies): Exit Firefox/Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey, open the profile folder for your Mozilla application and then delete or rename cookies.txt (Firefox 2 and Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey 1.x) and/or cookies.sqlite and any cookies.sqlite-journal files (Firefox 3 and SeaMonkey 2).

External links

• Websites say cookies are blocked (Firefox Support)
• Cannot log in to websites (Firefox Support)