Having technical problems accessing an online article in a database or e-journal? Try these tips and tricks.
Some e-resources will not function or display correctly if your web browser is not configured properly, please check the following settings:
Try a different browser
Clear your cache
Enable cookies
Delete cookies
Adjust pop-up blocker settings
Enable Javascript
Enable Java
Allow images
Firewall
Adjust add-on setting
Adjust security settings
Zotero Connector extension
Try clearing your cache and restarting your browser; this solves many problems.
Cache is a local storage area in your browser in which previously viewed web pages and images are stored. If a previously viewed web page is accessed again, the copy is loaded from the cache. To ensure that the current copy is loaded from the server and not from the cache, clear the cache in your browser and load the page again. Clearing your cache can also improve the speed and performance of your browser.
Clearing Cache Instructions
Firefox
Chrome
Safari
Safari on iPhone/iPad
Internet Explorer
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 Mobile
If you are using another browser and need instructions for clearing the cache, please email us at e-resources@brandeis.edu.
Check to be sure your browser is set to accept cookies. Many databases require the use of cookies and won't work if they are blocked.
A cookie is a file created by a web site that stores information on your computer, such as site-specific preferences when visiting that site. Some sites may not work properly when cookies are disabled.
If you are having trouble with a resource, try clearing the cookies from your browser.
Firefox
Chrome
Safari
Safari for iPhone/iPad
Internet Explorer
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 Mobile
A few databases require the use of pop-ups to deliver some of their content. If you have pop-up blocker enabled on your web browser, you may need to disable it.
JavaScript is a scripting language commonly used to make web pages interactive. Disabling JavaScript may cause some sites to not work properly.
The latest versions of the Firefox and Chrome browsers no longer support Java. For older browsers see:
How to fix problems with images not showing
Certain browser extensions may interfere with access to e-resources and my need to be disabled. Sometimes access to resources may be blocked because an adblocker on your browser is turned on, for example, Adblock Plus on Firefox. If you think this may be the case, click on the ABP icon on the top of the browser and disable the adblocker for that page.
Check your browser add-on settings:
Is your browser set to always require secure (https) connections? Not all sites support this feature and this may result in security warnings to legitimate sites. To check your settings:
In Chrome go to Settings>Privacy and security>Security>Always use secure connections - make sure this is toggled to off.
In Firefox, go to Preferences>Privacy & Security>HTTPS-Only Mode - make sure "Don’t enable HTTPS-Only Mode" is selected.
If you are getting an error accessing a resource, another thing to check is whether you have any browser extensions such as Zotero installed. The auto-proxy setting in Zotero Connector may be interfering with access to certain resources.
Once you're in the Proxy settings, remove any saved proxies in the Configured Proxies box by selecting the proxy and clicking the minus sign (-), and uncheck the boxes for "Enable proxy redirection" and "Automatically detect new proxies."
