# Java turned off?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [April 2, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629 "2008-04-02T02:39:58Z")
**Posts on this page:** 13
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/1 "2008-04-02T02:39:58Z")
So I went to YouTube earlier, and I keep getting the following message:
> [@](#):
>
> Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe’s Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
So I updated the Flash player, but it’s _still_ giving me that message. What gives, and how can I fix it, or turn Java back on?
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### Author:  [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/2 "2008-04-02T02:42:03Z")
First, Java is not the same as Javascript. They’re only barely-related technologies. You want Javascript.
Second, there’s a setting in your browser’s tools to turn it (Javascript) on or off. If you want more specifics, you’ll need to tell us what browser and OS you’re using.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/3 "2008-04-02T02:54:41Z")
Oh, thanks.
Let’s see, I’m using Firefox 2.0.0.13 and WindowsXP.
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/4 "2008-04-02T14:44:01Z")
I think it’s Edit menu-\> Preferences -\> Content -\> Enable Javascript.
Also, are you running any ad blocking software? You may need to edit its settings (e.g. add Youtube to its “allowed” list).
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### Author:  [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/5 "2008-04-02T15:14:52Z")
Try this add on. [Quick Java](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1237)
You can click on and off Java and Javascript for the browser. It’s more convenient.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/6 "2008-04-02T15:18:59Z")
I’ve seen this complaint in relation to other video websites - it sometimes happens even if you _do_ have JavaScript turned on, and the latest version of flash installed. Not sure what the problem was in complete detail, but the solution was to uninstall Flash and reinstall it again.
If all else fails, you might want to try that.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/7 "2008-04-02T15:23:51Z")
[QUOTE=scr4]
I think it’s Edit menu-\> Preferences -\> Content -\> Enable Javascript.
Also, are you running any ad blocking software? You may need to edit its settings (e.g. add Youtube to its “allowed” list).
[/QUOTE]
No, I don’t believe so. Also, I don’t see a “preferences” anywhere.
I tried the Java add-on. It’s still not working. I’m going to test and see if it does on Netscape.
Huh-Java Script is on my tool bar (where the date is), and it’s STILL not working. Da’hell?
**Mangetout** thanks-I’ll try that.
Yes, it works on Netscape. Go figure.
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### Author:  [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/8 "2008-04-02T16:37:28Z")
You are still missing a critical point. Don’t worry, it’s not just you.
> [@](#):
>
> Java, developed under the Sun Microsystems brand, is a full-fledged object-oriented programming language. It can be used to create standalone applications and a special type of mini application, called an applet. Applets are downloaded as separate files to your browser alongside an HTML document, and provide an infinite variety of added functionality to the Web site you are visiting. The displayed results of applets can appear to be embedded in an HTML page (e.g., the scrolling banner message that is so common on Java-enhanced sites), but the Java code arrives as a separate file.
>
> JavaScript, developed by Netscape, is a smaller language that does not create applets or standalone applications. In its most common form today, JavaScript resides inside HTML documents, and can provide levels of interactivity far beyond typically flat HTML pages – without the need for server-based CGI (Common Gateway Interface) programs.
Source: [http://www.dannyg.com/ref/javavsjavascript.html](http://www.dannyg.com/ref/javavsjavascript.html)
While the two languages share similar (and confusing) names, their pedigrees come from different creators.
You must have Java installed on your computer to take advantage of it. Javascript is a browser functionality that already exists within the browser.
To check of whether you have Javascript enabled in FF, go to [Tools | Options | Content] and then make sure Javascript is enabled.
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### Author:  [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/9 "2008-04-02T17:37:11Z")
[QUOTE=scr4]
I think it’s Edit menu-\> Preferences -\> Content -\> Enable Javascript.
Also, are you running any ad blocking software? You may need to edit its settings (e.g. add Youtube to its “allowed” list).
[/QUOTE]
Tools-\>Options-\>Content-\>Enable Javascript on version 2.0.0.13
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### Author:  [@Soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/10 "2008-04-02T17:40:51Z")
Also, if you’ve recently installed NoScript (a Firefox addon), you’ll run into this problem frequently until you define allowed sites to your liking. The utility of the addon is worth it though, at least in my humble opinion.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/11 "2008-04-02T19:36:26Z")
[QUOTE=ticker]
Tools-\>Options-\>Content-\>Enable Javascript on version 2.0.0.13
[/QUOTE]
Yep, that’s there too.
☹
I tried reinstalling Flash-no such luck.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/12 "2008-04-02T22:23:33Z")
It’s WORKING!!! It must have just needed my computer to be turned off and on.
Thank you guys so much! _mwaa_
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### Author:  [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/java-turned-off/443629/13 "2008-04-03T05:15:56Z")
[QUOTE=Soul]
Also, if you’ve recently installed NoScript (a Firefox addon), you’ll run into this problem frequently until you define allowed sites to your liking. The utility of the addon is worth it though, at least in my humble opinion.
[/QUOTE]
The same problem as the OP is having drove me insane until I got this figured out.