Firefox Version 126.0: F12 Shortcut No Longer Opens DevTools
With the release of Firefox version 126.0, users have noticed a change in the way the browser behaves when using the F12 shortcut. Previously, this shortcut opened the developer tools, but now it does not. This article will provide a detailed explanation of this change and offer some alternative methods for accessing the developer tools.
Why Has the F12 Shortcut Changed?
The change in the behavior of the F12 shortcut is a deliberate decision made by the Firefox development team. The primary reason for this change is to improve the overall user experience by streamlining the browser's functionality. The F12 shortcut was seen as redundant, as the developer tools can already be accessed through the hamburger menu, Tools, and the "Task Manager," "Page Source," and "Web Console" options.
How to Access Developer Tools in Firefox 126.0
Even though the F12 shortcut no longer opens the developer tools, there are still several ways to access them:
Click on the hamburger menu in the top right corner of the browser window and select "Web Developer" to access the developer tools.
Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + K to open the Web Console directly.
Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + I to open the Inspector tool.
Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + S to open the Style Editor.
Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + D to open the Performance tool.
Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + C to toggle the inspector tool on and off.
Repairing Firefox
If you have recently updated to Firefox 126.0 and are experiencing issues with the browser, you may want to try repairing it. To do this, follow these steps:
Click on the hamburger menu in the top right corner of the browser window.
Select "Help" and then "Troubleshooting Information."
Click on the "Refresh Firefox" button.
Confirm that you want to refresh Firefox.
The F12 shortcut no longer opens the developer tools in Firefox 126.0. This change was made to improve the overall user experience by streamlining the browser's functionality. To access the developer tools, you can use the hamburger menu, keyboard shortcuts, or the "Task Manager," "Page Source," and "Web Console" options.