Why would a Chrome extension stop working?
Asked by
janbb (
63218
)
October 21st, 2020
I had installed an extension on Chrome that allowed me to display “Old Facebook” as I hate the new one. Yesterday, it stopped working although it still shows as installed. What can I do to make it work again? Any ideas.
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22 Answers
The most likely answer is that one of the recent Chrome updates (I think they went from version 85 to version 86 last week), broke it.
The extensions are written by normal people (not Google), and the author of the extension may not have done the required work t6 update.
If you’re referring to “Old Layout” extension, according to here, it stopped working for everyone. But a comment stated…
“Stopped working today BUT the creator went live on the “Old Layout for Facebook” page and explained that a fix is coming for Chrome.
There are delays because of the way that Chrome handles updates to certified extensions on the web store. Be patient, people, you’ll be free of the awful new design soon.”
@hmmmmmm One more question. Will the extension be updated automatically or will I have to install it again?
^ Chrome extensions update automatically. However, make sure to close the Chrome app itself now and then. I believe (I could be wrong) that the trigger to look for extension updates happens on the start of the actual Chrome browser.
@hmmmmmm Yes, it did say something about restarting your browser when I had looked at the install so I guess I should do that periodically to see if it’s updated. Whatever you feel about FB and I am ambivalent but find it useful, it certainly is easier on the eyes the old way.
^ Yeah, extensions are great for that purpose. I use a Reddit extension to keep things looking the way they did before their updates.
He’s fixed it for Firefox. He’s working on an update for Chrome. Make sure you donate to Fluff Busting Purity if you like it.
It is more likely an issue of Facebook’s update on its platform page rather than the Google Chrome extension update. I’m guessing that your extension was created by accessing the data identifiers found when inspecting Facebook’s page elements to replace the existing interface with a pre-existing one. Wait until the creator of the extension makes the necessary changes to fix any discrepancies.
@Caravanfan I’m not using that extension. I’m using the one @hmmmmmm linked to.
It’s fixed this morning! And yes, I’m sure the FB monster is the one trying to subvert all work arounds.
And – it’s gone again. I guess they’re playing cat and mouse.
Looks like he’s giving up.
@Caravanfan Are you talking about my extension or the one you use?
And whack-a-mole. Not working again.
yeah, I tried mine again and it said not working for some people because a data link wasn’t there. I wish there were an alternative to FB that did what it does, but there isn’t/
^^ Yes, there are other ones but nobody’s migrated to them. I was on Google + for a while but it flopped.
There is a workaround. You have to be a group administrator, and you can reset your page to the old layout. You have to redo it every 48 hours.
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