JavaScript is a programming language for the web. We use it to do “dynamic” things on web pages like displaying audio players when you click on the “play” link without making you wait for an entire page to re-load.
This site and millions of other sites on the internet will not work correctly without it. Here’s how to turn it on.
Note that JavaScript is NOT the same thing as Java.
How to Enable JavaScript on a PC
In Internet Explorer on a PC, go to the top right of the screen and click on Tools. Look towards the bottom for a link labeled Internet Options. This will pop open a new window labeled Internet Options. Click on the tab along the top labeled Security. If you don’t need custom security settings go to the bottom of this window and click Default. After you have clicked Default you still need to look below that for a button labeled Apply. After that you can close the window and the page you couldn’t get to work before should work.
If you DO need custom security settings, then look near the bottom of the Internet Options screen and click on the button labeled Custom Level. After you click this you will get another screen. Slide down almost to the bottom and make sure the radio button labeled Enable Scripting is checked. When you have done this you will need to press OK at the bottom of that screen. This will take you back to the Internet Options screen where you still need to click on Apply and then you are done.
In Firefox on a PC, look along the top menu and click on Tools. Under tools click on Options. That brings up a new window. One of the tabs along the top says Content. Click on this tab. Make sure there is a check mark beside the line that says Enable JavaScript. Then click OK at the bottom of that screen and you are done. You probably will have to refresh the page that didn’t work for you before. If it gives you any problems, try restarting your Firefox.
In Opera on a PC, start by clicking on Tools along the top of the screen. Then slide your mouse down until you get to Quick Preferences then slide to the right and make sure there is a check mark in front of Enable JavaScript. You probably will have to refresh the web page that didn’t work for you before. If you still are having problems, try restarting your browser.
How to Enable JavaScript on a Mac
In Firefox on a Mac, click on the Firefox menu at the top left of the browser, then click on Preferences. This will open up a pop up window. One of the tabs across the top is labeled Content. Click on the Content tab. This will make sure you are on the right screen (it may be a new screen depending on where you starrted) that has boxes that can be checked. Make sure the box labeled Javascript is checked.
You don’t have to save anything, just make sure that the Javascript box is checked and you can then close this window.
After you checked the JavaScript box, you are done and the website you were trying to use that required Javascript should work fine.
You will probably need to re-load the page that didn’t work without Javascript. If that doesn’t work try shutting down your browser and re-starting it.
In Safari on a Mac, click on the Safari menu at the top left of the browser, then click on Preferences. This will open up a pop up window. One of the tabs across the top is labeled Security. Click on the Security tab. This will make sure you are on the right screen (it may be a new screen depending on where you started) that has boxes that can be checked. Make sure the box labeled JavaScript is checked.
You don’t have to save anything, just make sure that the JavaScript box is checked and you can then close this window.
After you checked the Javascript box, you are done and the website you were trying to use that required Javascript should work fine.
You will probably need to re-load the page that didn’t work without Javascript. If that doesn’t work try shutting down your browser and re-starting it.
Opera on the Mac is quite a bit simpler. Simply click on Opera at the top left of the browser screen, then slide your cursor down to Quick Preferences and then move it to the right and then down until you are hovering over Enable JavaScript. Make sure that this has a check mark in front of it. If it doesn’t already have one, then you need to click on it to make sure you have JavaScript turned on.
For Webmasters:
Help us reduce stress on the internet. Does your site require JavaScript? If so, please put a link to a page that explains how to enable JavaScript right next to where you pop up a warning that your site requires JavaScript. Try turning off JavaScript and then looking at our Learn French page to see how we have done it.
You are also encouraged to copy this article to save yourself the hassle of writing one. Please see our