[Fix] Multimedia Keys Not Working due to Mozilla Firefox

This problem was started when Mozilla Firefox version 81.0 was released to public. This new version came with a new feature called “Hardware media keys handling” or “Media control“.

This new feature allows Firefox to take over the multimedia keys present in user’s keyboard so that user can press the multimedia keys to control the playing audio or video in web pages or tabs.

When the user opens a webpage containing audio or video such as YouTube and presses any multimedia key on the keyboard (e.g. Play/pause, previous, next, volume, etc), Firefox displays a fly-out or overlay showing video information along with video control buttons as shown in following screenshot:

This feature was a good addition but it caused some weird and annoying issues to many users. We received reports from readers that they were unable to use multimedia keys in other multimedia programs such as Spotify, iTunes, VLC, Amazon Music Player, etc.

Users complained that when they press multimedia keys to control the playing song in these media player apps, nothing happens. The multimedia keys suddenly stopped working in all media player programs.

This issue started happening due to the new Media Control functionality introduced in Firefox browser which automatically hijacked the multimedia keys.

To fix this annoying issue, we posted a tutorial at following link:

[Fix] Multimedia Keys Not Working in Apps After Upgrading Firefox Browser

At that time, we had to modify a hidden preference/flag using about:config page to deactivate and disable new media control feature so that we could use multimedia keys in other programs and apps.

Now here is a good news. I noticed that Mozilla team has added a new built-in option to Firefox Preferences window to enable or disable Media Control feature easily.

PS: This new option directly controls the hidden preference/flag “media.hardwaremediakeys.enabled” present on about:config page. So it’s just a placeholder to easily modify the hidden flag.

No there is no need to modify advanced preferences/flags. You can quickly fix this annoying issue using Firefox Settings page.

If you are also facing such kind of issue and want to use multimedia keys in media player programs without any problem, following steps will help you:

1. Open Firefox and click on the Hamburger icon present at the right-side end of the toolbar to open the main menu. Now click on Options menu to open Firefox settings page.

Alternatively, you can direct option this page using about:preferences command in address bar.

2. Now under “General” tab, scroll down to bottom and go to “Browsing” section.

3. You’ll see “Control media via keyboard, headset, or virtual interface” option.

The option is enabled by default i.e. Media Controls feature is activated in Firefox.

Uncheck or deselect the option to deactivate and disable Media Controls feature.

That’s it. Now Firefox will no longer use multimedia keys to control media playing in webpages. You’ll be able to use multimedia keys in other media player apps and programs.

BONUS TIP:

This issue can be caused by Google Chrome web browser as well. Check following tutorials to learn more about it:

[Fix] Multimedia Keys Stopped Working in Spotify, iTunes After Updating Google Chrome

[Fix] Media Keys Not Working in Spotify, iTunes and Other Media Players