AfterTheDotNet

Google Reader shows a blank page in Firefox (solution included)

I use Google Reader for subscribing and reading RSS feeds. I find the service easy to use and intuitive. The additional features like trends and recommendations are very useful and handy. Primarily I use Firefox to browse the Internet and access Google Reader. I have been facing a problem since  the last three to four months, ever since I upgraded to Firefox, while accessing Google Reader.

Once every month when I try and access Google Reader in Firefox the page shows a blank page though the top menu is visible (the one having links to other Google services). When I access Google Reader in Internet Explorer or Google Chrome it shows up properly. In the past somehow the problem was fixed though I did do a lot of things like clear cache, disable extensions and reinstall Firefox. It again happened last week and this time around I was determined to find out how to fix the problem.

Solution

I started out looking for the solution on my best resource – The Internet. After a lot of digging and searching I found the solution. Here are the steps

• In the Firefox window go to tools and then options.
• A new pop-up shows up which has the title ‘options’.
• Click on the privacy tab (for me this was the fourth tab in the options window).
• The privacy tab has three sections.
• Go to the last section which has the heading “Private Data”
• Select “Ask me before clearing private data option”.
• Click on the “Clear Now…” button.
• A new window is shown with the title “Clear Private Data”.
• Select cache and “Authenticated Sessions”
• Click on the button called “Clear Private Data Now”
• Now close all the buttons and Firefox.
• Restart Firefox after 2 minutes.
• Access Google Reader. The page should be rendered properly.
• Sometimes this procedure does not work the first time around (it did not work for me). Repeat the process 2-4 times and things should work,
• If Google Reader does not work properly after this process then please make sure you disable all the extensions.

It seems there is a problem in the cookies that are created by Google in Firefox. I have pinged the Google Reader team but have not got an answer as yet.

Please let me know if this solution works for your or not by commenting on this post as it will help other readers if they have a similar problem.

I would like to thank the Computer Vet blog for assisting in finding the solution.