Facebook Messenger GIFs Not Displaying on All Browsers 2018 Mac Mini

I just upgraded from the 2014 to 2018 Mac Mini and now I can't see any GIFs in Facebook messages on any of my browsers (Chrome and Safari). They displayed just fine on my previous Mini. They also display just fine on the iOS Messenger app. GIFs also work fine in Facebook posts and comments. The GIF appears momentarily in the message, then switches to a blank field that says something like GIPHY or Tenor GIF Keyboard in it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Mac mini, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jan 19, 2021 8:07 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 21, 2021 7:47 AM

… And with regards to using migration assistant, among the many files transferred are old preference files for applications. Preference files can often become corrupt. It would behove you to go in and trash the preferences for your web browsing applications and see if that fixes the problem as well.

13 replies

Jan 21, 2021 10:02 AM in response to FrenchCelt

Ok, well we know that the problem is a user account one. You have a few options:


  • make a new account and manually migrate your files in. Aka start over. This would eliminate all of the old and unnecessary preferences and potential cache/application support files/etc that you have been carrying around from upgrade to upgrade.
  • As the "Reset Safari" option is no longer available, you can try and get things in safari back to “new” for your user by going to Safari —> Preferences --> Privacy --> Remove all website data. Then, while your Preferences pane is open, go to the Advanced tab and click on "Show Develop menu in menu bar." Once you see it, click on Develop --> Empty Caches. Go back to your Preferences, click on Security, and make sure "Allow Plug-ins" is unchecked. You can then go in and uninstall all your extensions, clear all your bookmarks, and anything else you've added to it.
  • or continue to dig through the user library to try to find the exact problem preference file or cache file that is causing the browser to behave this way.

Jan 21, 2021 9:32 AM in response to FrenchCelt

So glad I was able to help! Ok, so to delete preference files, you need to find them first. Preference files are located in your user's library folder (which is hidden by default.):


Start off by closing Safari. (Command Q)


From the menu bar in the finder -> Go > (hold down the option key and hit) Library


In the finder window that opens navigate to this file:

Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari (in 11.1 this will appear as a folder just called Safari)/Data/Library/Preferences/


Delete the file called: com.apple.Safari.plist


Restart the computer.


Let us know how it goes.



Jan 20, 2021 8:07 PM in response to FrenchCelt

Hey there FrenchCelt,


We'd like to help get your Mac working right in Safari with those GIFs on the Facebook website.


As Facebook is the only website you're having this issue, you may need to reach out to their support. First, we'd like to rule out some basics:


  1. We see you have macOS 10.14 installed, but the latest for that OS is version 10.14.6. While it's not necessary to upgrade to the latest compatible macOS for your Mac mini, we do recommend at least having the latest updates for the currently installed OS. You can verify which version number is installed by clicking on the Apple logo at the top left corner of the screen, then on ‘About This Mac’. Here's how to first Back up your Mac with Time Machine, and afterwards, here's How to update the software on your Mac.
  2. If you already have macOS 10.14.6 installed, we recommend a restart. Check out the section 'Restart' here: Log out, sleep, wake, restart, or shut down your Mac
  3. This link shows how to Update apps or use automatic downloads.
  4. These steps show how to Clear your browsing history in Safari on Mac.


If you need more help, we recommend reaching out to Apple Support here: Get Support


Take care!

Jan 21, 2021 5:26 AM in response to chuck_3rd

I have macOS 11.1 installed. Where did you get the idea I'm on 10.14?


Edit: I see, it says that at the bottom of my original post. Well, whatever detection method was used is clearly off.



Now, I did use a Time Machine backup to "restore" my Mac Mini 2014 configuration of apps and files and system settings to the new Mac Mini 2018, and then updated from Mojave to Big Sur. Could that have anything to do with my problem?



This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Facebook Messenger GIFs Not Displaying on All Browsers 2018 Mac Mini

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.