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Red close button not always working in browser

Whenever I open multiple browser windows (not tabs), lets say 5 or 6 different web sites for example, when I try to close all of them by clicking the red close buttons (X) in succession, several usually do not close unless I click inside the window and try to close again.

It seems that the Mac OS is losing the focus even though the X does appear when I point to each of the close buttons (before I click them).

I have reinstalled Mac OS X and applied all the updates but the problem still persists.

This behavior happens only with browsers. I have tried Safari, Chrome, and Firefox with the same results. It doesn't happen if I open several different programs like Picasa, iTunes, Finder, etc. It also doesn't happen if I open multiple MS Word or Excel windows, only browser windows.

I have repaired permissions but still no joy.

Does anyone have any advice as to what I might try next? I searched these forums but could find no one with this problem.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Macbook Air 11", Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Mar 23, 2011 6:11 PM

Reply
62 replies

Mar 30, 2011 6:19 AM in response to kohno214

If this is happening with only browser windows, and with all browsers, that would seem to be something that would be an affect of whatever sites you are visiting. Have you noticed that it happens when you have visited a particular site? Try to do some testing and see what sites are open in a window where this happens.

Focus is irrelevant. The close button should work for any visible window regardless of focus. Try it in a different app... click a close button for a window that is behind other windows. It should close (without coming forward first), unless that window has unsaved changes that need to be dealt with. If this is not working in all cases, there's something wrong with your system, or you have some third-party software installed that is affecting the behavior of the close box. (Try [starting up in Safe Mode|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455] and then testing again... if all works normally in Safe Mode, it's third-party software.)

Mar 30, 2011 9:41 AM in response to kohno214

I've found this behavior to occur in tabs also, as well as in other non-browser programs.

I can't narrow down the cause since 1) I just switched to this MBP from a blackbook, 2) I used a TM restore in the switch, and 3) 10.6.7 was just released.

I'm considering a fresh install to see if it rectifies the issue.

Apr 9, 2011 7:58 AM in response to whcchief

whcchief wrote:
What are you saying? It's in his head?

Must be in my head too then, have got the same problem. A tad frustrating and it does need to be addressed.

No, he's saying that there is a grand total of two people saying they've seen this. It doesn't appear to be a problem with the OS, at this point, because there isn't like a thousand posts documenting it and nobody that has responded can actually replicate it on their system. To establish whether it is an OS or Safari issue, we must be able to replicate it.

This is a user to user forum. If you want Apple to address something, call AppleCare or use the Feedback forms on Apple's main website.

If you want us to help determine if it is actually an OS issue, post details on all the web pages you had open at the time and the ones that have caused the problems you see. If we can replicate it, then we can go from there reporting it to Apple using the Bug Reporter system.

Message was edited by: Barney-15E

Apr 11, 2011 11:08 AM in response to Barney-15E

It's a few more than two people. And it is easily replicable on my system. I have the same behavior with scrub bars in videos, tabs, browsers, windows of all sorts, etc. It feels as if the trackpad isn't focused on a certain point-- usually clicking elsewhere then attempting again rectifies the problem.

I have submitted a feedback report to Apple.

Apr 11, 2011 12:04 PM in response to admann

It's a few more than two people.


Okay, yes, now it's three people. Whether that additional one makes "a few" is debatable. Unless of course you have an additional source of data for how many people are seeing this problem... but those of us who do lots of support aren't seeing it and haven't heard of it outside this thread.

And it is easily replicable on my system.


That does not make it a widespread system issue, nor does it help us solve your problem.

I have the same behavior with scrub bars in videos, tabs, browsers, windows of all sorts, etc.


Then you have something very wrong with your system. This is not normal. Sending feedback to Apple will not solve the problem.

What will solve the problem? For starters, answering questions. I asked several questions earlier and gave one suggestion for something to try, but that post seems to have been ignored.

Red close button not always working in browser

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