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How To Make Flash Sweepstakes Work Properly

By Sandra Grauschopf, About.com

Fred Claus Instant Win Sweepstakes screenshot, an example of a Flash sweepstakes website.

Example of a Flash Sweepstakes Website.

Screenshot taken by Sandra Grauschopf, used with permission.
Flash sweepstakes are more interactive, more visually appealing, and oftentimes more fun than regular sweepstakes. Their drawback is that not all computers are set up to display Flash animation. Here's how to set up your computer to display Flash sweepstakes as well as regular contests.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: It should only take a few minutes to make Flash sweepstakes work on your computer

Here's How:

  1. Update Your Browser to the Latest Version

    Web browsers offer periodical updates that you can download for free. Older browser versions may not be able to support Flash websites, so if you haven't updated recently, now's a good time to do it.

    How to Check for Browser Updates:

    • Firefox browser: Click on "Help" then on "Check for Updates" in the toolbar at the top of your browser window.
    • Internet Explorer browser: Visit the Microsoft Windows Update page.
    • Other browsers: Check your help documentation for details.

    Oftentimes, this step will be enough to make Flash sweepstakes display properly.

  2. Install the Flash Plug-In

    Flash sweepstakes will not display properly if you do not have the Flash plug-in installed. While most browsers come with Flash already installed, in some cases you have to install it manually.
  3. Make Sure Javascript is Enabled

    Flash sweepstakes need not only the Flash player to display properly but also access to something called Javascript. If you use high security on your computer, Javascript may be blocked, which could be causing your problems with Flash sweepstakes.
  4. Make Sure Your Pop-Up Blockers Allow Flash

    Some people use pop-up blockers to control the amount of advertising they see on websites. Unfortunately, some of these programs can also block Flash sweepstakes. If you use a pop-up blocker, make sure that it is not set to prevent Flash from displaying. For details about how to do this, see the documentation for the pop-up blocker.
  5. Still Not Working?

    If you are still having trouble with displaying Flash sweepstakes, visit the Adobe Flash website for additional troubleshooting tips.
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