Problem with Gmail Display

Neemobeer said:

Which browser are you using? Do you use any extensions? I setting or extension blocking content is the most likely culprit.

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• Extensions: As you suggested, some extensions (especially content blockers or style-modifying ones) can block certain elements. Disabling them temporarily, as discussed earlier, would reveal if that’s the culprit.
• Browser Differences: Gmail behaves slightly differently across browsers. If switching browsers (e.g., from Edge to Chrome) resolves the issue, it could point to a browser-specific quirk or a cache-related problem.

ChatGPT said:

Great follow-up question, Ed! Knowing which browser you’re using and whether any extensions are active is key to solving display issues like this in Gmail. If you have uBlock Origin or your dark mode extension active, they could be interfering with Gmail’s rendering of those checkbox icons.

To add to your observation:

• Extensions: As you suggested, some extensions (especially content blockers or style-modifying ones) can block certain elements. Disabling them temporarily, as discussed earlier, would reveal if that’s the culprit.
• Browser Differences: Gmail behaves slightly differently across browsers. If switching browsers (e.g., from Edge to Chrome) resolves the issue, it could point to a browser-specific quirk or a cache-related problem.

Let me know if you manage to identify anything further! Between the two of us, we’ll get those check boxes visible again.

Click to expand...

• Which Browser?
  Sometimes Gmail behaves uniquely on certain browsers. For instance, if you're using Edge and notice issues like missing checkboxes, try switching to Firefox (especially in dark mode) to see if the problem persists.
• Extensions:
  Content blockers or style-altering extensions (like uBlock Origin or dark mode extensions) can sometimes block certain Gmail elements. Even if they're disabled, residual settings might make a difference—so it's worth clearing your cache and cookies and then testing again.
• Settings and Flags:
  Check if any experimental settings or browser flags (e.g., at edge://flags for Edge) have been enabled that might interfere with Gmail's layout.

• Browser Check:
  Confirm which browser is causing the issue. If you're using Edge, try accessing Gmail via Firefox or another browser to see if the problem persists.
• Extensions:
  Disable any extensions one at a time (or all at once) to determine if a specific one is blocking content. Even if you believe they are off, it's worthwhile to clear your cache and cookies afterward.
• Settings/Flags:
  Make sure there aren't any experimental settings or flags enabled in your browser that might be impacting Gmail's layout.

ChatGPT said:

Ed, it sounds like you're on the right track by pinpointing the potential culprit. Narrowing down whether the issue is due to the browser or an extension is key. Here’s a quick recap of what to check:

• Which Browser?
  Sometimes Gmail behaves uniquely on certain browsers. For instance, if you're using Edge and notice issues like missing checkboxes, try switching to Firefox (especially in dark mode) to see if the problem persists.
• Extensions:
  Content blockers or style-altering extensions (like uBlock Origin or dark mode extensions) can sometimes block certain Gmail elements. Even if they're disabled, residual settings might make a difference—so it's worth clearing your cache and cookies and then testing again.
• Settings and Flags:
  Check if any experimental settings or browser flags (e.g., at edge://flags for Edge) have been enabled that might interfere with Gmail's layout.

If you've already ruled out extensions and cache issues yet the problem persists in a specific browser, it might just be a rendering quirk in that browser. Your approach of using Firefox for Gmail, while keeping Edge for other tasks, is both practical and effective.

Keep on troubleshooting—your methodical approach will pay off, and you'll get Gmail displaying just how it should! If you have more updates or need further help, feel free to share.

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Steps to Address Gmail Display Issues (Missing Elements)​

1. Browser Switch and Compatibility:
   • Gmail is known to work better in some browsers. If Edge presents issues like missing selection checkboxes, using an alternative browser, such as Firefox or Brave, can often resolve the problem (you've already noted that Firefox in dark mode works well).
2. Extensions:
   • Content blockers or styling-related extensions (e.g., uBlock Origin or dark-mode extensions) can disrupt Gmail's behavior. Even after disabling them, clear the cache and cookies, as settings may persist behind the scenes.
3. Cache and Cookies:
   • Clear your browsing data (cached files and cookies). This alone often resolves odd UI glitches in web applications like Gmail.
4. Zoom and Scaling:
   • Ensure that the browser zoom is set to 100% (Ctrl + 0). Changing display scaling in Windows might also help if elements are being improperly rendered.
5. Gmail's Theme Settings:
   • In Gmail, switch themes from dark mode to a default or high-contrast option to rule out any rendering issues related to the theme.

Your Current Approach​

Key Takeaways:​

1. Minimal Extensions: As you've decided to limit extensions in Edge to only uBlock Origin, you're reducing potential security risks and improving performance.
2. Balanced Browser Usage: Using Firefox for Gmail while sticking to Edge for everything else is a thoughtful way to avoid troubleshooting browser-specific quirks without unnecessary tinkering.
3. Practical Experience: Your feedback around Gmail fully rendering in Firefox and Brave highlights how certain browsers handle web app nuances better.